'He Manao'o O Keanae' By Erland Kilani Pahukoa (Kaii'olani Productions)

Pahukoa takes his
cue from his elders

By John Berger
Star-Bulletin

MOST participants in the audio division of I-94's annual "Brown Bags to Stardom" high school competition dream of winning the grand prize so they can make a demo recording and gain some radio exposure. For Erland Kilani Pahukoa, Maui's "Brown Bags" winner this year, it was all about conquering Oahu. He is already a recording artist and record producer. His full-length debut album, "He Mana'o O Keanae," was released last month.

At a time when many young island recording artists still seek to imitate Jamaican and inner-city African-Americans trends, Pahukoa prefers to draw on his Hawaiian heritage. He says he enjoys playing reggae and jawaiian songs at parties, but he's made his debut with contemporary Hawaiian songs. Each song is an original. The 16-year-old King Kekaulike High School junior wrote most of them with Auntie Mahilani Poepoe, who translated some of his lyrics into Hawaiian. In return, he added melody to some of her Hawaiian poetry.

Other songs are entirely his creations.

"I like reggae music, I like all the rest of the music, but ... I would rather play the old Hawaiian music or just any kind Hawaiian music," Pahukoa said.

The statewide "Brown Bags" finals were to take place on Oahu last month, then this month, and now have been postponed indefinitely, but Pahukoa will still be coming to Oahu this weekend. He'll make a promotional performance 7 p.m. Friday at Borders Waikele, and open for Kanilau in two Mother's Day shows at the Sheraton Waikiki on Sunday.

"I don't try to sound like anybody, not trying to copy Israel (Kamakawiwo'ole) or Fiji, but I had a lot of support from some good old-time entertainers (in the studio)," he says.

"I didn't have voice lessons or anything, I just tried it and kept trying. My dream was for make a CD and my dad guys helped me get it through."

Pahukoa says he started writing songs when he was in the 7th grade, but feels his interest goes back several generations to the district of Keanae.

"My great-grandmother and my great-grandfather came from Keanae, and my dad and his whole family he was born and raised in there."

He said he was the last baby held by his great-grandmother before she died.

"She used to be like the great big tutu of Keanae, and she played music, so I think she could have been the one who passed down her talent to me. Maybe I just learned (to play), but I like to think I got it from her."

He donates time to play for senior citizen groups and has spoken at Maui schools about the downside of substance abuse and violence.

"I'm only 16, but you go to a party, everybody drinks, everybody smokes, everybody fights, everybody fools around with the next guy's girlfriend.

"I not into that. I don't want to be around people like that. I would rather be around old people, kanikapila, learn about the old days.

"Kids grab an ukulele, play a reggae song. I think it would make Hawaii look better if more young kids played Hawaiian music.

"Try sing Hawaiian. Go talk to your kupuna, tell her or him teach you something about maybe just one place. Go write your own song. Try do it."

Pahukoa's plans for the summer include doing as much a possible to promote the album. He intends to continue playing music after he graduates next year, but his longterm plan is to open a graphics technology company with his girlfriend.

"As a senior (next year) I can start going MCC classes in technology -- making CD covers, posters, magazines. That's what we want to do. Go to college, work for somebody, and form our own business.

"When I do my albums I can do my own graphics. That's one less bill (for me) and I can do it for other people."

ERLAND Pahukoa introduces himself with a collection of original songs that will surely stand as a landmark in local music.

His voice is distinctive and commercially appealing. His songs address a variety of topics -- family and the Hawaiian life style are two recurring themes. "Keanae Boy" celebrates days spent tending taro and evenings net fishing. The title song is a glorious anthem that honors his kupuna as well.

Pahukoa and co-producer Tom Hall do a masterful job working various instruments into arrangements without losing the traditionalist essence of Pahukoa's voice. "All the Angels" epitomizes their skill in that department, while "Waiula O Maua" is gorgeous in its simplicity. "Makawao Cowgirl" is a gem of a Hawaiian-country song. Light Jamaican rhythms are used imaginatively elsewhere. Several English-language songs are reflect his feelings for loved ones.

Pahukoa is one of the year's most promising new artists.

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