Hawai`i 2004

We sampled a small part of the musical bounty offered by the Gathering Place. In a lot of cases we didn't get pictures, but we had the camera along for a few of our musical adventures.

I was sure glad to see that Led Ka`apana took a break from his mainland touring to play for the faithful at Kapono's. Ledward is a musical genius and a living legend in Hawaiian music. He's played for Chet Atkins and "Prairie Home Companion," played to a packed house at Wolf Trap, is a Dancing Cat Records artist, and has a number of his past recordings available on CD as well. His work with his two groups, Hui Ohana and I Kona, document nearly thirty years of fabulous music.

The Aloha Tower has become one of my favorite landmarks since it's connected so strongly to Ledward and his musical genius.

On our first visit we forgot to tell Jimbo to bring his fancy camera along, so these shots were taken with Lynn's cute little Pentax. It's a great snapshot camera, but we had to use Photoshop to get anything out of her night-time action shots.

What a magnificent setting, with Honolulu Harbor in the background. Led is weaving a magic spell on his solidbody Ko`olau ukulele.

Led is playing with Alika Odom, his partner of many years. Alika played and sang in the group I Kona, and he and Led play with a marvelous connection.

Even Photoshop couldn't save this one, but I had to show Alika laying down the groove.

With some input from Lynn, we got the message to Ledward that I was hoping to play a few tunes. After the break he called me up.

These guys were so incredibly sweet to share their stage and then give me this fantastic photo op.

I have a few Led tunes in my repertoire, but I suffered brain fade and couldn't think of an easy one ...

so I'm up there cranking along on "Ku`u Ipo Onaona" and sweating bullets. We got through it without any serious damage, thanks to Led's amazing abilities.

Ward Center and Native Books is putting on Na Mele Nei Concerts every Sunday, and the second Sunday of the month is a group sing, based on "He Mele Aloha."

Sorry we don't have more pictures of the ukuleles in the audience, or any of Kimo Hussey who's leading the sing. I'm down front playing the Ko`olau tenor. This event was tremendous fun. Naturally we had a couple of folks jump up and hula to their favorites. Kimo took us through about five songs, repeating each one, then started from the top again so we could do a final take of each song. While I was playing, Lynn was shooting a few pictures and meeting people. She did such a good job that we were soon getting introduced to Kimo, and planning to meet at the Slack Key Festival at Kapiolani Park.

The 2004 O`ahu Slack Key Festival featured a new slate of artists, because several of the regular stars were touring the mainland and playing at the prestigious Wolf Trap venue. It was a great opportunity for artists such as Del Beazley, Kawika Kahiapo, and others. I was pleased to meet Kimo Hussey again, and hear his take on slack key, the music scene, the Himeni contest, and ukuleles.

I goofed up and didn't bring sun screen, so I had to resort to bizarre methods for sun protection.

The opening artist was none other than Uncle Raymond Kane. Every time Ray plays and sings the rest of us are richer.

Raymond is accompanied by Elodia Kane and several of his slack key students. His guitar of choice is still that great big Brazilian rosewood Lowden.

Not everyone wanted to spend the whole day soaking up Hawaiian music and hot sun.

Fortunately for them, Kapiolani Park flows right into this beautiful beach.