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George Kahumoku
Hawaiian slack key
guitar master George Kahumoku fills the Big Island with his music in
April with two guitar workshops, two concerts, and a mini concert.
Kahumoku has played the world over, for
all kinds of audiences. "When I'm playing a solo
instrumental piece," George says, "especially on the
12-string guitar, or when I'm playing together with other
players, I often imagine in my musical mind's eye all of the
people in my family, grandparents, parents, brothers, sisters,
aunts, uncles, and cousins, who have had a great influence on my
music -- that they're all playing or singing along with me.
I hope that my grandson Aaron will one day come to understand
and play this music."
Kahumoku
and Young pack Aloha Theater with Hawaiian Culture
George Kahumoku, Jr, his son Keoki, Jesse Colin Young,
and Hălau Hula Na Mohala Hăla`i played to a packed house Easter Eve.
The concert was the culmination of a full day of Hawaiian cultural
events sponsored by the hălau and Kona Pacific Waldorf School.
On Saturday, April 14, Hălau Hula Na Mohala Hăla`i
presented A Spring
Celebration of Hawaiian Culture with George
Kahumoku Jr. at Pu`uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park.
The day began at 8:00 a.m. with the
Leilehua Yuen, instructor and coordinator for the hălau, giving an opening chant and prayer at the Royal Canoe Landing.
Following, there were demonstrations of lei
making the Royal Grounds as the halau members
learned to make these fresh ornaments for their costumes.
At 10:00 at the park picnic
area, Kahumoku held "slack key
on the beach," where park visitors observed the training
which goes into making a Hawaiian musician.
At 1:00 pm, Yuen and the hălau
entertained a capacity audience in the park amphitheater with their demonstration of ancient Hawaiian dance.
After the hula kahiko demonstration,
Kahumoku delighted the audience with his mastery of slack key music,
playing traditional favorites as well as his own beloved melodies.
That evening Kona was treated to a concert by Kahumoku, his
son, Keoki, and Jesse Colin Young. The evening opened with
hula by Hălau Hula
Na Mohala Hăla`i.
Kahumoku is known for his relaxed "home-style"
concerts. A seasoned trouper, George has performed for
audiences all over the world, including such dignitaries at
the Queen of England and the Premier of China. He says
that while walking out on the stage he knows he doesn't get to
be with those people out there for very long, so he relaxes,
has a great time, and gives them everything he can.
His son Keoki is a fine slack key musician in his own right, and
is also well known for his prowess on the `ukulele. The two
Kahumokus often perform together.
Jesse Colin Young has delighted Ka Moku Hawai`i audiences
with his music since moving here to farm coffee. Lead singer of the Youngbloods and
of "Get
Together" fame, he will debut his never-recorded slack
key stylings and songs inspired by his adopted island home.
Leilehua Yuen is an author, artist, and instuctor of Hawaiian culture and arts,
including hula, and frequently gives demonstrations in
Hawaii's parks. She has performed on the Mainland, in
Europe, and in China.
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