Former Royal Hawaiian Bandmaster Aaron Mahi stepped up to direct the contestants and audience in a beautiful a cappella rendition of "Old Plantation," at the end of the contest.

As Hawaiian music events go, it was one of the best.

No, it did not feature the best known, or most popular Hawaiian music performers of our day.  In fact, many of the famous artists were in the audience instead of on stage.  But the music was sweet, soft … nahenahe, as we say in Hawaiian.  It was all un-amplified, unplugged, if you will, including the voices. It was all in the Hawaiian language.  And, for most who enjoyed the evening, it mattered not who won.

Yes, it was a contest. It was Ka Himeni Ana 2007, the 23rd annual event of its kind.  Ka hīmeni ana means “the singing” and if you missed it, remember that it will happen again next year. 

Eleven acts performed. All were different in makeup, gender, age, instrumentation, songs they chose to perform, arrangements, and performance of those songs.  There was some hula, adding yet another beautiful Hawaiian dimension to the evening.  The competition is open to amateurs and professionals alike.  Among the winners over the past decades are many artists who have gone on to become household names in Hawaiian music.

While the audience was assembling in the Hawai`i Theatre, Mahi`ai Beamer sat with his back to the gathering, playing old Hawaiian favorites on the theatre’s organ.  They knew who he was.  And they loved him.  Mahi is a Julliard graduate, best known for having had one of the most beautiful falsetto voices in Hawai`i, if not the whole world.  But he was sort of a warm-up act for what was to come.  And that was fine with him, and his legion of fans.  It was that kind of a night. 

The program began with the usual kind of announcements – no video, no pictures, no recording.  The entire evening was being recorded professionally so that all of the performers could have a DVD to remember the evening.  As if anyone would ever forget.

Pilioha, a wonderful new recording group that won first prize in Ka Himeni Ana 2006, opened the show as special guests, demonstrating how and why they won last year.  They sang two songs, just as they did in the competition a year earlier, and had the full house eating out of their hands.  And, while they are so well known for sounding like the Hui `Ohana, the popular 1970s trio from the Big Island, or Led Ka`apana, a member of that famous group, on this occasion, Pilioha sounded like Pilioha.  Glenn Mayeda Jr., Kamuela Kimokeo, and Gary Kalehua Krug Jr. have come into their own.  And they did so by winning in Ka Himeni Ana and pursuing their dream. They are winners; a first class act.

Ka Himeni Ana was the brainchild of local business executive Richard M. Towill, and he is still around to enjoy it.  It began in 1983, and Richard was still on hand to greet people, give leis, and to present the awards.  He wanted to hear Hawaiian music performed as he remembered it as a child, growing up in Honolulu.  And he wanted everyone else to hear it that way too.  During the sing-along at the end of the evening (while judges votes were being tallied), Towill mentioned how he recalled his 1947 Punahou class singing “Old Plantation” a cappella just as we all did that night, under the direction of Aaron Mahi.

For most of the past years, Marge Hansen had the task of finding the talent, talking them into performing.  And it was not always easy.  We remember one year, more than 15 years ago, when she called us for help.  We put out a call to friends and three groups signed up. Then Marge called right before the deadline to tell us that they needed one more group or the contest would be cancelled.  “Will you and Carmen enter?” she asked.  We agreed and with guitarist Guy Tseu, entered as a trio.  We placed, and received a cash prize, in the only contest we’d ever entered.  It was fun.

The Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame has stepped in to help produce and promote this wonderful event, and Elena Hollinger-Martinez has taken over Marge’s coordinator job.  Elena is to be commended. She not only scheduled 11 acts, but put on a carefully planned, and wonderfully produced event.  Then, to top it off, she invited the winners to perform the following day at the Ward Warehouse Stage, and some of us were entertained all over again – by the winners of Ka Himeni Ana 2007.  Mahalo a nui loa, e Elena.

The purpose of this “concert,” as spelled out in the program, “is to encourage the singing of Hawaiian music in the old fashioned manner, without microphones, to provide opportunities to undiscovered talent, and to stir happy memories within all of us here this evening as we enjoy our senses of sound, sight, and scent.”  As is done every year, the stage was heavy with freshly cut ginger, and Hawai`i Theatre never smelled better.  It was Hawai`i, indeed.

“The world is now overwhelmed with far too much loud noise. We are bombarded by so many noxious sounds today that we seldom experience the joy of listening.  It is not necessary to force music on others with loudspeakers, for if singing has quality, people will become quiet and listen.  No other sounds in this world are more beautiful than natural human voices, and excellence commands attention.  Because we often forget the style of music that came before, this contest is intended to provide a balance in the music offered in our Islands today.”

The celebrity entertainers present were either in the audience, or in key support roles. Mahi provided the organ prelude.  Marlene Sai was the emcee, following the tradition of Uncle Keola Beamer, who for so many years kept the audience laughing and enjoying.  Haunani Apoliona, Nina Keal`iwahamana, and Bill Kaiwa were the judges.

The selection of winners is based on “pitch, projection, harmony, adherence to the composer’s arrangement (tempo, etc.), pronunciation and enunciation, expression, appearance, manner and charm.”

Criteria for groups entering the competition is simple. 

• Groups must at least two and not more than five members of any age.
  (In this year’s competition there were groups, of two, three, four and five.)
• Songs must be in Hawaiian language and contestants are urged to select songs which were composed prior to World War II or with the nahenahe style of that era.
  (Most of the songs this year were old, with a few notable exceptions – “Green Carnation” by Johnny Almeida from the ‘60s; “Ka Pilina” by Frank Hewett from the ‘90s; and “E Maliu Mai” by Aunty Irmgard Farden Aluli, also post-WWII.  They all fit.)
• Only Hawaiian musical instruments
  (all types of `ukulele and guitars, string basses, autoharps, piano, and ancient instruments) are acceptable. (This year, we heard only `ukulele, guitar, and bass.)
• No electrical amplification of voices or instruments, with the exception of the steel guitar.
  (None of the groups used the steel guitar this year.  Nothing was amplified, save Marlene’s spoken introductions and Richard’s presentations at the end.)
• At least half of the singers must also play instruments.
• Contestants may sing in only one group.
• Although First Place winning groups may not enter subsequent contests, individual singers may participate as members of other groups.

 `Ehā Kahili, a family quartet was the first act on stage. They represented three generations from the same family, and they set the standard for the evening with memorable performances of “Kahelelani” and “Mi Nei.”

Then came Ualei, a trio of young men, who sang and played “Kona Kai `Opua,” and a medley that allowed them to sing a total of four songs, to best demonstrate their talent.

Kina`u Paoa, daughter of the late great George Paoa, was next, sans her bass player, and performed as a duo with Alapaki Rowland on guitar and vocals.

The Blonde Hawaiian, a trio made up of three voices, two `ukuleles and a guitar, was next.

Kalaeonāmamo, also a trio, featured bass, `ukulele and guitar, the traditional makeup of many Hawaiian combos.

Mona Joy, and Ka`ala Carmack rounded out the first half of the evening with two beautiful voices, and Ka`ala’s `ukulele providing the only accompaniment.

Ka`ala Carmack and Mona Joy

We fondly remembered Ka`ala as a teenager, (and Keith was not much older), so many years ago when, as a photographer in Japan, Keith took Ka`ala’s senior class pictures for the Zama High School yearbook.  Ka`ala remembers that his parents “hanaied” Keith, so Ka`ala thought of Keith as an older brother – and one that he could talk to. They played music together too, and Ka`ala was most often called “Dee” in those days, Carlton Dee Ka`ala Carmack.  His parents were very close friends of ours and his mom was from the well-known Stewart family.  Ka`ala’s strum is not too unlike that beautiful old Hawaiian strumming of his Hawaiian Grandma Stewart.  Keith recalls singing and playing while Ka`ala’s mother, Jennie (Stewart) Carmack danced too.  It is hard to believe that was more than 40 years ago.

The intermission was, as one might expect, a very social event in itself, seeing old friends, other entertainers, many we knew would be there – from fellow entertainers like Danny Kaleikini and Ledward Ka`apana, to fellow language teachers like Puakea Noglemeier, former classmates like Sigrid Southward (Carmen’s classmate at Baldwin High, Class of ’59), friends, and fans of Hawaiian music.

Pōmaika`i and his dad, Ron Loo, opened the second half.  Ron has been a part of the event for many years, helping keep it going during slow years when Marge used to struggle to enlist enough acts to hold the event.

They were followed by Na Kini O Kalaupapa, a trio that included blind storyteller/singer Makia Malo, Edwin Lelepali, and Dr. Kalani Brady.  If you can count Makia’s service dog, they looked like a quartet (although we didn’t hear anything – not even a whimper – from the four-legged companion).

Allison Chu (billed now as Allie Chu) wowed the audience, backed by “uncles” Al Kaai and Art Kalahiki.  She’s only 12, but already a polished veteran, and already a recording artist in her own right.  We were honored when Allison’s mom introduced us to friends, pointing out that Keith was her first music teacher, when she was in first grade at Star of the Sea Schools in Wai`alae, where Keith has taught for the past 15 years.

A quintet of singers and musicians called the UH Hawaiian Combo was the penultimate act.  They included bass, guitar and `ukulele backing the five voices in arrangements and performances that caught the eye and ear of every show goer.

And The Fitch `Ohana – the final act featuring Doug Fitch on vocals and guitar and Melinda Morris on vocals – was joined on double bass by Mihana Souza, one of the best-known artists among the contestants.

It was a contest and not everyone could win. But even those who did not win went away, knowing that they had succeeded. They had taken their talent to the stage and entertained an audience of Hawaiian music lovers, who thrilled to every performance. Some of these talented singers and musicians will most certainly come back.

Six acts won prizes ranging from $1200 and a Hula Records recording contract from Flip McDiarmid, for the first prize, to $800, $600, $400, $300, and $200 for second place through sixth place, respectively.

Towill announced the winners.

• Sixth place went to Pōmaika`i, well-known slack-key guitarist and teacher Ron Loo and his son, Pōmaika`i.
• Fifth place was Kalaeonāmamo, the trio made up of Charlene Kalae Campbell on guitar, Francine Mamo Wassman on `ukulele, and Henry Kaonohiokala Wassman on bass.
• Fourth place was won by Nā Kini O Kalaupapa.
• In third place was young Allie Chu and her “uncles,” both well-known Hawaiian entertainers – Art Kalahiki and Albert Kaai.
• Second place, the runner-up spot, was awarded to Mona Joy and Ka`ala Carmack, who lives in San Francisco, but flew home to the Islands just for this contest/concert.
• And the grand prize, worth $1200 and a recording contract, was awarded to the UH Hawaiian Combo, a quintet that includes Justin Ka`upu on bass; Sophronia Smith on guitar; Chadwick Pang on `ukulele; and Rosanna Perch and Mamina Koga, vocals.  All five sang, superbly.  They won, and you could tell by the response that everyone agreed with the judges. They deserved to win. 

We’re already looking forward to the recording by this group.

If you are planning to enter next year, you might do so now, because we heard
many in the audience saying, “maybe we should try next year” or “why don’t you try next year.”

To give you an idea of what kind of music works in this competition, here is a list of the songs that were included this year:  Kahelelani, Mi Nei, Kona Kai `Opua, Ahea No Ho`i La, Ma`ane`i Mai `Oe, No Ke Aha, Puamana, Haleakala Hula, Kaimana Hila, Green Carnation, Manu O`o, Ka Pilina, Kamalani O Keaukaha, Lei Aloha Lei Makamae, Hula O Makee, Lepe`ula`ula, Sanoe,  `Olu O Pu`ulani, Waikaloa, E Maliu Mai, E Nani E, Aloha No, Kimo Henderson Hula, Kaho`olawe – from such great composers as Abbie Palea, Charles E. King, Henry Waiau, Alvin K. Isaacs, Lena Machado, Mary Kawena Puku`i, Maddy Lam, Irmgard Farden Aluli, Charles K. Farden, Alice Namakelua, John K. Almeida, Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewett, William Ellis, Kaimanahila, Lili`uokalani, Sumner, Helen Lindsey Parker, Matthew Kane, John Pi`ilani Watkins, Gertrude Ka`ahapu, Helen Desha Beamer, Emma Bishop.

And since we know you will not find this information in other sources, such as daily newspaper reports of the events, here is a complete list of the previous winners, as they were spelled in the 2007 program:
1983 Waikahe (Misty Kelai, Jodi Reeves, Suzanne Ka`upu, Leslie Santos, Helen Ka`upu, Linda Nahulu, Lisanne Ka`upu, & Nola Nahulu)
1984 Na Wahine Lei Nani (Phyllis Gomes Mililani Trask, Collene Kelly, & Pi`ikea Miyamoto)
1985 Kahanakealoha Serenaders (Huali`i Lum, Douglas Tolentino, Shirley Ryan, Albert Winchester, & Joe Winchester)
1986 Kipona Leo Hawai`i (William Aarona, Manu Boyd, Horace Dudoit, & Christ Kamaka)
1987 Malie (James Ekolu Panui III, Larry Keli`i Duhaylongsod, & Nathan L. Kahikolu Kahapea)
1988 Kamaka, Beazley & Kumukahi (Delwin Beazley, Chris Kamaka, & Ku`uipo Kumukahi)
1989 Na `Ike (Joseph Winchester, Ha`alilio Heyer, & Douglas Tolentino)
1990 Hoahanau (Perry Artates & Peter “Pekelo” Cosma)
1991 Pomaika`i (Warren S.K. Naipo & Delmann P. Naipo)
1992 La`akea (Kalei Ching, Robert Kalanui, Blaine Kia, Buzzy Winchester, and Joey Winchester)
1993 The Kanile`a Connection (Jay Kauka, Brian Mersberg, & Eric Lee)
1994 Moana Chang & Family (Moana Chang, Frank Keli`i Chang III, Randy Kaulana Chang, Bruce Kahana Chang, & Johnathan Keoni Chang)
1995 Kanilau (Roland Chang, Noelani Chang, Alapai Artis, & Kimo Artis)
1996 Pa`ahana (Douglas Po`oloa Tolentino & Pakala Fernandes)
1997 Na Pu`ukani (Tweety Kaluahine-Juarez, Jeniel Kanahele-Sika, & Benny Kai)
1998 `Ale`a (Kale Hannahs, Ryan Gonzales, Chad Takatsugi & Kalai Stern)
1999 Pai`ea (Dean Wilhelm, Barrett Awai, & Stewart Kawakami)
2000 Lihau (Kapalai de Silva, Kau`i Awana, Wailana Cabalse, & Polani Chee)
2001 Ho`omali (Harry Loizumi, John Aniu, Mark Kauwe, & Kimo Hussey)
2002 Kamalani (Zelie Kawai`ae`a, Sherry K aku, & Gigi Paleka)
2003 20th Anniversary CONCERT (in lieu of a competition)
2004 Holunape (Kekoa Kalihiwa, Kanai`a Nakamura, Kama Hopkins)
2005 No contest was held because not enough groups signed up to compete.
2006 Pilioha (Glenn Mayeda Jr., Kamuela Kimokeo, Gary “Kalehua” Krug Jr.)
2007 UH Hawaiian Combo (Justin Ka`upu, Sophronia Smith, Chadwick Pang, Rosanna Perch, Mamina Koga)

Each year, Ka Himeni Ana honors someone. Here are the “honorees,” by year, as they were spelled in the program:

1983 Alice Namakelua
1984 John K. Almeida
1985 Mary Kawena Puku`i
1986 Andrew Kealoha Cummings
1987 Solomon Kamaluhia Kekipi Ke Ali`ika`apuni Bright
1988 Charles Kenaohalaulani Lelewllyn Davis
1989 Irmgard Farden Aluli
1990 Raymond “Ray” Kinney
1991 Clyde “Kindy” Sproat
1992 Katherine Kamalukukui “Kupuna” Maunakea
1993 Helen Desha Beamer
1994 Bill Kaiwa
1995 Victoria “Auntie Vickie” I’i Rodrigues
1996 Violet “Auntie Lei” Lincoln Collins
1997 Kahauanu Lake
1998 Martha Poepoe Hohu
1999 Nina Keali`iwahamana
2000 Juliette Montague Cooke
2001 Haunani Apoliona
2002 Lena Kaulumau Waialeale Machado
2003 Nona Kapuailohia Desha Beamer
2004 C. Keola Beamer
2006 Charles E. King
2007 Aaron Mahi

Oh yes, the stars of the evening … they were Janet Kahili Punohu Ongoy, Toni Kahili Peralto, Serena Kahli Punohu Peralto, Shaena Kahili Punohu Peralto, Kukaho`omalu Souza, Kapono Haynes, David Asing, Kina`u Paoa, Alapaki Rowland, Jennifer Camacho, Henry Camacho, Garrett Shirai, Charlene Kalae Campbell, Francine Mano Wassman, Henry Konohiokala Wassman, Mona Joy, Ka`ala Carmack, Ron Loo, Pomaika`i Loo, Makia Malo, Edwin Lelepali, Kalani Brady, Allison Chu, Art Kalahiki, Al Kaai, Justin Ka`upu, Sophronia Smith, Chadwick Pang, Rosanna Perch, Mamina Koga, Doug Fitch, Melinda Morris, Mihana Souza, Aaron Mahi, and hundreds of beautiful voices who joined in to sing along at the big finale.

Nahenahe wale nō ka hīmeni ana i kēlā pō nani.

Comments

lanikairentals — Thursday, September 27, 2007

Tears streaming as I read...this heavenly sweet sound, sentry of old Hawaii, like a friend passed, honored upon occasion, no longer the backdrop of our lives like in the days of our youth. Auwe Auwe Auwe

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