There’s an old Hawaiian who lives on the foot of Sleeping Giant. A majestic tree in his front yard hides his modest house. A Hawaiian flag and a few pieces of fabric decorated with Polynesian motifs adorn his patio. Inside
There’s an old Hawaiian who lives on the foot of Sleeping Giant. A majestic tree in his front yard hides his modest house. A Hawaiian flag and a few pieces of fabric decorated with Polynesian motifs adorn his patio. Inside that ordinary house, a man with an extraordinary life resides.
Nathan Liberato Kahikolu Kahapea Kalama is one of Kaua‘i’s most venerable living treasures. The humble Hawaiian has dedicated his life to spreading and empowering local culture in many different ways.
Over a quarter of a century ago, together with Carol Yotsuda, Kalama started E Kanikapila Kakou, an idea originated by musician Fred Aki. The annual program runs for about 12 weeks, showcasing artists from all over the state.
“It’s a surprise to see such a program continue this long,” Kalama said.
EKK 2010: The Stories Behind the Songs opened up January 18 with an ‘ukulele workshop by Grammy winners George Kahumoku and his son Keoki. Later in the same day, the father-and-son team gave a free concert at the Kaua‘i Beach Resort.
A week later EKK featured cultural icon Eddie Kamae, together with Dennis Kamakahi and his son David. On that night, a regular Monday, about 500 people showed up to watch the performance.
“That’s amazing to see that many lovers of Hawaiian music.”
Kalama humbly credits the longevity of EKK to Yotsuda’s talent in getting people together and grant-writing. The program is run by the Garden Islands Arts Council, and Yotsuda is the nonprofit’s executive director and treasurer.
A year after EKK took off, Kalama and fellow musicians James “Ekolu” Panui and Larry Keli‘i Duhaylongsod started the Mokihana Festival, one of the most anticipated musical events on Kaua‘i. The program is already in its 26th year.
“We don’t really do it for outsiders. It’s for our island, except for the hula competition,” Kalama said. “Our focus is to give Kaua‘i composers the opportunity to share their music.”
It all started back in 1984, when Kalama, Panui and Duhaylongsod created the first Kaua‘i Composers’ Contest and Concert. The event had barely 50 people in the audience. But it was a seed that germinated and grew into a huge and fruitful tree.
As EKK and Mokihana Festival grew larger each year, Kalama decided to focus exclusively on the festival, leaving EKK’s organization with the GIAC.
Today Mokihana Festival falls under the umbrella of the Malie Foundation, which organizes special workshops and spring events, culminating with a full festival week each September.
The Malie Foundation’s goal, besides spreading culture, is to raise funds for scholarships benefitting Kaua‘i students who help perpetuate Hawaiian culture.
Last year Kalama retired from the Malie Foundation board of directors, but still remains actively involved in the Mokihana Festival organization. Panui and Duhaylongsod have already passed away.
Kalama was born in a family that breathed music. His father was a Pentecostal minister who played guitar and ‘ukulele. His mother was an ‘ukulele player. His brother played guitar, ‘ukulele and violin. One of his sisters played piano and accordion, and the other played guitar, ‘ukulele and accordion.
It was only natural that he would easily learn to play an instrument. Well, he didn’t.
He lets out a naughty smile remembering his childhood struggle with the ‘ukulele, probably not the same smile he had back in the day.
It was only after his family moved to Kaua‘i that he learned how to play the ‘ukulele.
After attending a church convention on the Garden Island, his father decided that “this was where home was going to be.”
The family of Lucy Maikai hosted the Kalama family for a while, and the grandmother of Kahanu Smith took the little boy under her wing, promising to teach him the ‘ukulele.
“I learned really quick from her. I don’t know why I couldn’t learn from my mother,” said Kalama, laughing at himself.
From them on he never put down the ‘ukulele, and has composed some beautiful and memorable Hawaiian-language songs.
Kalama played professionally his whole adult life.
Years ago Kalama became legally blind. He sees mostly in a blur.
He said after he lost his eyesight, kumu hula Doric Yaris was the first who took a chance on him, giving Kalama a job touring in Japan.
At that time Yaris was still a young, up-and-coming kumu hula, and Kalama said he always appreciated him for that.
On his way to Japan, still inside the airplane, Kalama wrote a song for Yaris.
“For Hawaiians, the highest compliment you can give to someone is to write their song or chant,” Kalama said. “That was the only way I could express my aloha to him.”
When Kalama steps on the stage at the Kaua‘i Beach Resort next Monday, March 29 for his EKK presentation, he’ll bring with him Yaris, Fred Aki and Maka Herrod.
It has been somewhere around 14 years since Kalama composed that song for Yaris.
On that night Yaris will perform the song for the audience and for the great steward of Hawaiian culture.
Kalama, a kumu hula himself, will teach the audience the Hawaiian alphabet song.
The public will have the chance to learn the motions and the lyrics, and perform the song along with Kalama.
He’ll also be presenting four other original songs.
Kalama’s presentation Monday is free, and it’s a priceless opportunity to experience the beauty of this cultural giant’s songs.
Each song presented will have a story explaining its meaning.
For more information on EKK, e-mail giac@hawaiilink.net or contact Yotsuda at 245-2733.
For information on Mokihana Festivals or Malie scholarships go to www.maliefoundation.org.
