A fissure within the Hawaiian music community was on display last night even as the 45th Na Hoku Hanohano awards program was underway, broadcast live from a Sheraton Waikiki ballroom.
Several hours before the show, noted performer and teacher, Kimo Alama Keaulana, posted on Facebook that he had declined an invitation to take part in the awards show. Keaulana, a former Na Hoku winner, wrote: ” It was an honor to be asked to perform tonight but we won’t. Hawaiian music has changed.”
And, it was clear, his view is that the change has not been for the better.
His post drew more than 60 comments over several hours.
In response to a comment, he explained: “Tastes in music have changed. It’s more like western/haole thoughts, melodies & instrumentation using Hawaiian words. It’s so different now.”
“Music is a commodity now.”
For Keaulana, it is obviously much more than that. It is history. It is tradition. It is the preservation and passing on of a rich culture.
Marnie Weeks, a longtime friend who has her own long history with hula and Hawaiian music, commented:
I have witnessed Kimo teaching hula and Hawaiian music for decades. He has been clear in explaining what sad changes are happening, and the consequences of succumbing to influences. He has performed, recorded, lectured, mentored … and has not been able to stop the tide. He has done all this with a firm, clear voice and infectious sense of humour. He’s been ignored, ridiculed, argued with, and yet he has not wavered. So, as much as we love Kimo and his timeless music, we cannot ask him to step up now and “be the example.” That’s his life story.
Then Marnie’s husband, Pat, also chimed in.
Marnie and I were lucky to be involved with the production of Kimo’s “Hula Lives” CD. He insisted, from day one, that he wanted the old Hawaiian down home sound- NOT slick, overproduced contemporary Hawaiian music. Thanks to our brilliant engineer- the late Paul Kreiling, he got what he wanted! The only problem was- the Hawaiian music station(s) refused to play it! On the bright side, I hear songs from that CD almost every day, when I walk into a supermarket or shopping center! Keep the faith, Kimo! Keep doing what you do!
Keaulana replied.
Aaaaaaw! I deeply appreciate your wonderful words! I’ve done as much as I could. I hope that all of those who had taught me & had performed with me are pleased & happy nevertheless.
For those unfamiliar with Keaulana, here is some background borrowed from the website of the Hawaiian Music Store.
An 8th generation professional musician, dancer, chanter, teacher, composer and entertainer, Kimo Alama Keaulana is a recognized authority on ancient and modern hula and its music. As a Kumu hula (hula master) and renowned dancer himself, he knows how to play the music to accompany hula.
Known for his captivating laugh, wicked `ukulele strum and sweet angel voice, Kimo Alama Keaulana is all the proof we need that hula and its music are alive and well-that indeed “Hula Lives!”
From a 2004 Honolulu Star-Bulletin review by John Berger of “Hula Lives!”, a CD by Keaulana and Lei Hulu.
Keaulana has been known in recent years more as a teacher and cultural resource than as a recording artist, and for that reason, this beautifully crafted collection of Hawaiian and hapa-haole standards may take some by surprise. The album captures the sound of what Keaulana calls ‘honest Hawaiian music” perfectly.
And from an Star-Bulletin article in advance of an evening program Keaulana put on in 2001 at the University of Hawaii, which called him as “a steward
of older, traditional Hawaiian music.”
If there’s one thing you can’t accuse Keaulana of, is that he’s a careerist. “Aunty Adeline would always lead me some other kupuna, people who weren’t into music and hula for the money, but did it more from the heart.
“I consider the music I play and collect really precious and priceless.” he said. “I’ve conscientiously decided to not make a huge commercial venture of this.”
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Kahauanu Lake once said “It’s the mana?o, it’s the intention behind the writing. There’s no other place in the world that visualizes the same that we do as people, as kanaka, and that’s what makes it Hawaiian.” I guess the “Hawaiian” music and lyrics nowadays are a reflection of how colonized we?ve become.
Auwe, Auwe, Auwe…
The HARA has turned to horror awards.
With a Korean BTS type act of Nippon Boy’s in Michael Jackson outfits, that would make Aunty Genoa Keawe roll in Her grave.
The sad part is that even Kumu Keaulana’s Haumana, Kumu Hina Wong was first in the conga line to dance reggae, during the performance with Ho’aikane and Brother Walter.
The annual award was held in concurance with the Robbin Danner group CNHA who had held a major convention. Both events prominently featured Kuhio Lewis, President of. CNHA and commercial venture “Pop Up Makeke” a local crafters market established on TV during Covid. This was the first major event of CNHA since attaining the all coveted contract for Visitor Services, with millions of State Tax Dollars.
All of this convenes as Kamehameha Schools, Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center started a “Rock a Hula Show” at a major venue on there property. Ugh!
Kumu Kimo Keaulana is a true Hula Master who should be headed, with great respect. Kupuna long passed, highly respected His true and authentic teaching. He can be found in Waianae not Japan!
With all due respect to those who preserve and sustain “traditional” forms of music, older people complaining about the music and art younger people like and make is a story repeated every generation. Support the music and art you love and let other people get on with what they love.