Aki Conquest’s Joyful Noise taiko ensemble has really grown. She had her keiki taiko (you should see them do “Ashibini”) on hand to help celebrate Father’s Day with Jonell Kaohelaulii, Harvey Maeda, George Nitta and Angelo Cattigay of the Philippine
Aki Conquest’s Joyful Noise taiko ensemble has really grown. She had her keiki taiko (you should see them do “Ashibini”) on hand to help celebrate Father’s Day with Jonell Kaohelaulii, Harvey Maeda, George Nitta and Angelo Cattigay of the Philippine Island Hawaii Island bicycle club.
Of course, Kenny Ishii was around … he was picking up his kids at the Kauai Beach Resort where Angelo’s family had a room for the weekend.
But truly, Aki Conquest now has John Dumas, who plays not only the shakuhachi, but Native American flutes, and for Saturday, even the Australian didgeridoo. Add a touch of a dancer who trained in Oriental dance and no wonder Wanda Kau-Shibata had to stay to watch the show following Mary Lardizabal’s Kapaa Middle School Ukulele Band. Aki performs again Saturday at the Happiness Planting Festival in Lihue.
Speaking of music, Mike Odo coordinated the Young Songwriters’ event Saturday at the Kauai Beach Resort where the Kauai Music Festival will be held July 10 through 14. Great job to all the composers in presenting such a wide range of music!
• Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.