honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Thursday, March 15, 2001


Auntie Genoa still hits high notes

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor

The Keawe family, front: Nicole Kawa-hineu‘ioka-lani, Genoa Keawe, Sanoe Kai‘iulani Keawe; back, Pomaika‘i Keawe, Arthur Keawe, Gary Keawe Aiko and Eric Keawe. They performed for the first time during the taping of their “Na Mele” show.

Hawai'i Public Television

What a splendid way for Hawai'i Public Television to launch its third season of its popular "Na Mele: Traditions in Hawaiian Song" - by featuring the First Lady of Island music, Genoa Keawe, and her musical 'ohana.

The episode, entitled "Genoa Keawe & Family," premieres tonight and features the beloved songstress - big smile on her face and 'ukulele in hand - and her sons and grandchildren in a marvelous round of kanikapila, the old-fashioned jam in the chalangalang tradition. Only the back porch is missing.

For the first time ever, Keawe shares the wealth of performing might in her family. Sons Eric K. Keawe (guitar, vocals) and Arthur Keawe ('ukulele, vocals) join mom and brother Gary Keawe Aiko (upright bass, vocals, and the lone son has been performing publicly over the years) in spirited, familiar tunes. Keawe's granddaughters - one singer, Pomaika'i Keawe, and two hula stylists, Nicole Kawahineu'iokalani Keawe and Sanoe Kai'ulani Keawe - are also in on the party.

And, oh, what fun.

Keawe opens the half-hour show with medley of "Kuwili," "Ahuli'i" and "Hula O Makee," and it quickly becomes a family-involvement time. She handles the first song as a solo, Gary chimes in on the second for a duet and Pomai grabs "Makee." It's a nostalgia-laden flashback to simple backyard informality.

"Genoa Keawe & Family" In the 'Na Mele: Traditions in Hawaiian Song series 7:30 p.m. Thursday, repeats at 10:30 p.m. Sunday KHET Channel 11 (Oceanic 10)

There's ample time for the brothers to claim their 15 minutes of fame; Eric's "Papa Lahilahi" and Arthur's "Lei Nani" are sweetly personal, the former embellished with hula.

Pomai's daring embrace of "E Mama E," the falsetto singer's usual show-off tune, is fetchingly personal as she hits those high notes while tutu strums on 'ukulele.

Gary leads "Ho'omanawanui," simply and plainly, and joins his two brothers on a heart-tugging "Beautiful La'ie."

Everybody pulls out the stops on a medley of "Ka 'Anoi" and "Ka Uluwehi O Ke Kai," with the matriarch holding her own.

The inevitable charmer and show-stopper is the show-closing sandwich of "Mauna Loa" and "Alika." The latter tune is Genoa's signature, as she goes higher and higher and holds her singular note longer and longer. Pomai and Tutu trade verses, and when the 82-year-old takes it up a notch, there's no question: She's still the undisputed champ.

The Keawes perform in the cozy KHET studios with nary a prop, in line with the series' mission of showcasing, with honesty and integrity, the superb artistry of the performers. A small live audience would enhance the watching experience (you have to provide your own applause, hoots and whistles at home), but "Na Mele" has emerged as a Hawaiian tradition worth supporting.