Posted on: Monday, August 27, 2001

Tip-off
Celebrating an era of changing island sounds

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor

Tony Conjugacion, whose Hawaiian artistry blends the ancient and contemporary traditions, will present "Kamau Pono IV — The Golden Sands of Waikiki," at 7 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Hawai'i Theatre.

The event, also featuring his hula students of Halau Na Wainohia, is being billed as "a tribute to the rock 'n' roll heart of Hawaiian music." The focus will be on pre- and post-statehood Hawai'i, when hapa-haole sounds competed with traditional Hawaiian music to maintain a foothold on a changing Waikiki. It was an era when customary instruments such as the 'ukulele, guitar and bass were augmented by snare drums, vibraphones, xylophones and other percussion to create a changing island sound, coupled with an insistent rock undercurrent, sometimes with jazz colorings, sometimes with blues.

Conjugacion, has invited a stellar roster. Among the participants: Jimmy Borges, Melveen Leed, Danny Kaleikini, Leina'ala Haili, Tahiti Rava Nui, Sam Kapu, Don Ho, Iva Kinimaka, Lena Motta and Beverly Noa.

Tickets: $18 at the box office. Reservations: 528-0506.