Hale Pai
Pacific American-News Journal
`Aukake - August 1996 Volume 2 Issue 8
Folklife 1996
(Washington) - Once again Hawaiian and Polynesian
cultures were well represented at this year's Pacific Northwest
Folklife Festival in Seattle over the Memorial Day weekend. The
festivities started on Saturday evening with a ki ho'alu (slack
key guitar) concert featuring Brother Noland and Tony
Conjugacion, Na Molokama, and the Native Hawaiian Bank. Krash
Kealoha, radio personality and promoter from Waimanalo, emceed
the show.
Na Molokama, from Kauai, began the set with hula, and
contemporary and traditional music. They are a fresh and very
talented group who are making waves in Hawai'i, and from the show
we saw them put on, we can certainly agree! Good music, good
dance, and lots of aloha.
Brother Noland and Tony Conjugacion have become special
favorites in the Northwest. Last year when they were here for the
Hokule'a and Hawai'iloa they appeared at the festivities as well
as at celebrations at different reservations. They provided the
music for the documentary, Hawai'iloa: The Voyage Home.
Their Folklife appearance ran in true Conjugacion style; terrific
music, lots of humor, and incredible talent. When they finished
their set, the crowd didn't want them to go. After a loud chorus
of hana hou!, they returned with a rousing Coconut Girl.
Following the Conjugacion brothers, we were treated to the ki
ho'alu stylings of George Kuo and Dennis Kamakahi. They in turn
were joined by Brother Noland, Michael Ka'awa, Milton Lau, and
Bla Pahinui - the Native Hawaiian Bank! What a show! These guys
are all masters. It is rare that such talent visits the
Northwest, and we all enjoyed it thoroughly; so much so, that the
show went over its time by an hour and we had to be forced out of
the Bagley Wright Theater.
We hope that next year, if Folklife schedules a ki ho'alu
concert, they put the concert in a different venue. The Bagley
Wright is a beautiful theater, but holds only about 400 people.
There were people lined up for hours and many never did get in.
When the theater filled, the ushers, by law, could only let in as
many as would leave. It was awkward and disappointing, to say the
least, for those who waited and never did see any of the show.
The next day, Sunday, was the Hula concert. This year the
concert featured three Northwest halau and, once again, Na
Molokama from Kauai. Moody Ka'apana of Hula Pulamahiakalikokehua,
Ke Liko A'e O Lei Lehua (Claire Lehua Cortez, kumu hula) and
Halau Hula `O Napualani (Gloria Napualani Fujii, kumu hula). The
show began with all three Northwest halau taking turns dancing
kahiko. While all three did an outstanding job, Ke Liko A'e O Lei
Lehua put on a show-stopping Pele medley. The chanting and the
choreography were great. Halau Hula `O Napualani brought their
keikis (ages 4+). These little guys did their best and were a
real crowd pleaser.
The show followed with `auana. Moody's band with Auntie Maile
played some maika'i loa music for Hula Pulamahiakalikokehua.
Halau Hula `O Napualani had a wonderful show with dancers ranging
in age from kupuna to the little keikis again. They showcased the
kaikamahines who competed in Kona's King Kalakaua Invitational
Hula Festival in November. These young ladies showed their
professionalism and the skill of their teachers when they were
asked to perform two unscheduled dances to fill in some time.
Good job, guys!
After the Northwest halau danced, Na Molokama performed. Once
again they did an outstanding job with music, dance and aloha. It
is always a treat for us to share the Hawaiian culture with other
Northwesterners, but it is a special treat to share with
Hawaiians.
We want to compliment Moody for a great job. It was a
wonderful show. Until next year!
Send mail to halepai@punawelewele.com
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Copyright © 1996 Hale Pai Pacific American-News Journal
Last modified: February 28, 1998
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