Hale Pai
Pacific American-News Journal
Nowemapa/Kekemapa - November/December 1996
Volume 2 Issue 11
CLYDE HALEMA'UMA'U SPROAT SINGS ...SONGS
AND STORIES OF HAWAI'I
“Kindy” Sproat, as his friends and family call him,
was born in the district of North Kohala on the island of
Hawai'i. He spent the formative years of his childhood with his
family in the remote valley of Honokane Iki, a 2 hour mule ride
from the end of the government road. His first introduction to
music was through his mother, who played a 4-string banjo. With
no electricity, radio, or neighbors for miles around, the family
entertained themselves in the evenings by singing an array of
songs, Hawaiian as well as American.
When the children were ready for school, the family moved to
the small community of Niuli'i where music was an important part
of life and a way for people to socialize.
Kindy credits “Uncle” Edwin Lindsey, the principal
of his grade school, as a major influence on his love for
Hawaiian music. Each school day began with an assembly led by
“Uncle” Edwin, where teachers and students would sing
songs by Queen Emma, Queen Lili'uokaloni, Leleiohoku, and other
Hawaiian composers.
Kindy served 20 years in the Air Force and is now retired. For
many years, the music he learned in his childhood was something
he treasured in his memory and sang for only friends and family.
Today, Kindy is known by many lovers of traditional Hawaiian
music for his extraordinary vocal range and his extensive
repertoire of older songs. He is especially appreciated for the
detail and warmth with which he tells stories about how he
learned various songs and the meaning of the Hawaiian lyrics.
In 1988, Kindy received the National Heritage Fellowship Award
from the National Endowments for the Arts, our nation's highest
recognition for a traditional artist.
Kindy and his wife live overlooking Pololu Valley in North
Kohala. Still miles away from electricity and phone lines, they
remain a part of the community values expressed in the Hawaiian
songs Kindy contiues to love and sing.
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Copyright © 1996 Hale Pai Pacific American-News Journal
Last modified: February 28, 1998
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