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Wood Craft Ben Wood |
Kamae’s Sons of Hawaii
help Academy of Arts
mark 77thThe faces may change in Eddie Kamae's Sons of Hawaii over the years but the quartet's Hawaiian music has always been as good as it gets. The group's brilliance was showcased Sunday at the 77th birthday celebration of the Academy of Arts. Eddie, Braddah Smitty, Ocean Kaowili and Pekelo Cosma sang Hawaiian favorites in a soft, mellow, laidback style, each taking vocal solos on personal favorites. They also told humorous stories and jokes that brought laughs to the Doris Duke Theatre crowd. Eddie, who crafts Hawaiian cultural documentaries with his lovely wife Myrna, spoke about Kurt Johnson who introduced him to Mary Kawena Pukui and Pilahi Paki. Kawena steered Eddie to Sam Lia Kalainaina. The three became his teachers. Sunday's show opened with chanter Kaupena Wong and members of Halau Hula O Maiki. Academy director Stephen Little welcomed guests and recognized Lynne Johnson and Sam Cooke, great-grandchildren of Anna Rice Cooke, who founded the Academy. Kelvin Taketa, head of the Hawaii Community Foundation, introduced Eddie and the Sons. At the end of the performance, Smitty had everyone stand and do the "Hokey Pokey" for a fun finale ...
Vicky Holt Takamine, Keiki Palaka Band shine
Outside the theater, Mel Murata & the Keiki Palaka Band performed while guests had drinks and a buffet dinner. Then Eddie and his guys went at it again. Vicky Holt Takamine danced hula with them. Everything was perfect. You can't buy this kind of evening ...Don Ho gave fans a taste of what went on at Duke Kahanamoku's in the 1960s and '70s Sunday night during his tribute at the Hawaii Theatre. He sang Kui Lee songs, among others, and encouraged audience participation. Many guest performers took part ...
Duncan Royce, impersonating the late Freddie Mercury of Queen, stole the show at the Rock Legends concert at the Concert Hall last weekend. The Saturday-nighter I caught was thoroughly enjoyable with performers singing the roles of Abba and the Beatles as well. The crowd was into the show all the way with some people dancing in the aisles and giving standing ovations. The costuming and lighting were top rate. Forty Honolulu Symphony musicians backed the acts. The orchestra was excellent. When the "Beatles" sang "Twist and Shout," the musicians stood up and danced as did many happy people in the audience ...
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Ben Wood, who sold the Star-Bulletin in the streets of downtown Honolulu during World War II, writes of people, places and things every Wednesday and Saturday. E-mail him at bwood@starbulletin.com