COURTESY OF MUDMAN PRODUCTIONS AND MOUNTAIN APPLE COMPANY When I remember how I grew up, I wished I listened. I blew it as a teenager, not listening to my elders. Hah, how I suffered, especially after my dad, mom and brother Peter left us." --James "Bla" Pahinui, Son of the great "Gabby" Pahinui
Bla’s music The musical lineage of the late, great Gabby Pahinui through his sons Cyril, Martin and James is deeply rooted in Hawaiian music. But while Cyril and Martin appear to have remained close to the approach to music of "Pops," James "Bla" Pahinui has been the wild card.
has the mana
He performs two
When and where
concerts this weekend
By Gary C.W. Chun
gchun@starbulletin.com
Or has he? Bla's unique blend of Hawaiian music with '50s doo-wop and rock 'n' roll is akin to his father's style of combining Mexican and flamenco with Hawaiian, creating a sound both unique and true to the island spirit of the islands.
COURTESY OF MUDMAN PRODUCTIONS AND MOUNTAIN APPLE COMPANY
Special guest Rick SheaNow Pahinui is actively gigging around Oahu with the equally eclectic Blue Mango Band -- featuring ex-Piranha Brother Sean Thibadeaux and Third Degree members Chris Planas, Milan Bertosa and James Ganeko -- and he and the band will be playing a pair of concerts this weekend.
Appearing as a special guest will be Rick Shea, who's made a name for himself as a California country roots scene singer, songwriter and guitarist, noted for his sideman work with ex-Blasters Dave Alvin.
The generous-hearted Pahinui spoke to us last Friday in a free-wheeling interview about his music, his family and what he's been doing since he retired from the City Parks Department last June.
He had dedicated much of his work life to helping the Honolulu Police Department with the kids who camped out at the Koko Head park and became involved with neighborhood thefts.
"I'm like a big brother to what I call 'the park rats' -- I still come across them once in a while and I see them now with their own kids. Sometimes, if they want to see me play at a club and they're too young to legally drink, I let them hang out in the back. They love it!
"Seven years ago, I transferred to Ala Wai, and I see the same kind of kids hanging out there with the kinds of problems that make me want to cry ... "
But now, he said, all his energies are focused on his music, and he longs for the days of casually playing his music in the neighborhood.
"Even living here in Waialua, man, there's no luaus and garage gatherings to just kick back and play. I'll be 61 this year, and even though I have a recognizable name and can draw people to any of my concerts, I'm now retired and want to enjoy this time.
"Last night, when me and the band played at Kapono's, some people in the audience were wondering why don't I do five nights a week," he said with his distinctive giddy laugh. "And I'm good friends with Henry (Kapono) -- I remember him hanging out with Gabby even before C&K.
"At the same time that C&K, Kalapana and Country Comfort were formed, Liko Martin wrote 'Waimanalo Blues' -- and that just freaked out my dad. He told him 'Son, you can love your rock 'n' roll, but never forget you're Hawaiian."
And the same could be said for Bla's music -- even though he's a bit hardpressed to find that same mana in today's "Jawaiian" sounds.
"I can't say I'm against it, because it's still music locally made and I have to respect that. But, still, I feel it has no focus.
"Now, if you picture me on stage, I'm trying to figure out what you want -- but it's still going to be Hawaiian music, even though it's my style. Milan (Bertosa) says what I do is Hawaiian because of the rhythm, even though I play the guitar lefthanded, and I strum on the back beat, so sometimes it has a Tahitian or reggae feel to it."
BUT EVERYTHING comes back to his family: While Bla's musical ties remained strong, his waywardness sometimes led to heartache.
"When I remember how I grew up, I wished I listened. I blew it as a teenager, not listening to my elders. Hah, how I suffered, especially after my dad, mom and brother Peter left us." (The last, a commercial fisherman, died in May 1997 at age 49.)
His music has been his solace, however, even though he was tiring of being known mainly as a slack-key player.
"For 17 years, I did ki ho'alu for Milton Lau's yearly festivals, and I really wanted to do something else! So last year at Kapiolani Park Bandstand, I asked if I could bring my band instead, and they weren't cool about it.
"It kinda disturbed me, because it was not Hawaiian music to them, and I thought 'Why can't we share the mana'o?' But I finally got the OK from Milton, and we kicked butt when we played!"
With a 4-year-old recording for Mountain Apple Records yet to be released, things could be falling into place for his music to get wider exposure.
Pahinui is pleased that the Blue Mango Band can understand his need and desire to play a hybrid of Hawaiian, rock, blues and even a little jazz.
"It's both what I want and I'm sure what my dad wanted to do with his music down the line had he lived. It's just that the timing worked out for me."
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With the Blue Mango Band and special guest Rick Shea Bla Pahinui
>> 8 p.m. today at the Pikake Pavilion, Waimea Falls Park, 59-864 Kamehameha Highway
>> 9 p.m. tomorrow at Anna Bannana's, 2440 S. Beretania St.
Tickets: $20, available at the park's gift shop and the club, plus Tower Records and Flavormania Ice Cream, Haleiwa Shopping Plaza
Call: 638-8655 or 946-5190
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calendars and events.
