Manoa DNA CD release party

Friends and supporters of Manoa DNA gathered at Gordon Biersch Aug. 20 as the trio -- Lloyd Kawakami and sons Nick and Alex -- celebrated the release of their debut album, "Follow Me."

Holunape played a beautiful set of traditional Hawaiian music before Manoa DNA came on to close the show.

The father-and-sons trio was reinforced by Ron Quong on bass, Seann Carrol on drums and Mark Tanouye on keyboards for a solid set of commercial mainstream rock and Hawaiian standards that included "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes," "Lifetime Party," "Peaceful Easy Feeling" and "Goodtimes Together." It was clear by the time Braddah Wade of Hawaiian 105 KINE called them back for a final hana hou that Manoa DNA can rock a lot harder than they did on the album.

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Record producer Roy Sakuma, second from left, congratulated the group: Nick, left, Alex and Lloyd Kawakami. CLICK FOR LARGE

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Cheryl Kaluhiwa joined her husband, Kekoa, left, Kanai'a Nakamura and Kama Hopkins backstage after Holunape's set.CLICK FOR LARGE

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARBULLETIN.COM
"Gonzo" Gonzalez of 'Ale'a posed with fiancee Moani Hannahs.CLICK FOR LARGE

John Berger has covered the local entertainment scene since 1972. Contact him at jberger@starbulletin.com.