Weekend shows shine light on kupuna

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor

Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winner Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom pays tribute tonight to three music-industry veterans who have influenced her career. Also this weekend, Tony Conjugacion and Keahi Allen plan a Lunalilo Home fund-raiser with an impressive roster of performers. 'A Tribute to Hawaiian Musical Treasures' With Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom Appearing in the Hana Hou series 8 p.m. today Hawai'i Theatre $30; discounts for seniors, theater members, students and military 528-0506 Also: Aunties Genoa Keawe, Kealoha Kalama and Leina'ala Haili will perform; Amy's new band debuts, with Ernie Cruz Jr., Barry Flanagan and Jack Ofoia; Gilliom's grandmother, Jennie Napua Hanaiali'i Woodd, also appears On Maui: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Castle Theater, Maui Arts & Cultural Center; $10, $20, $28 (half price for kids under 12). (808) 242-7469 • • • 'Malama E Na Kupuna' A benefit for Lunalilo Home 2 p.m. Sunday Hawai'i Theatre $25, $35 528-0506

Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom, Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winning songstress, is using her Hana Hou slot tonight to pay tribute to a trio of show biz veterans whose music she has recorded and whose style of hai, the female equivalent of falsetto singing, she advocates. Joining her will be a formidable trio of veterans, Auntie Genoa Keawe, Auntie Kealoha Kalama and Auntie Leina'ala Haili.

"All three have been my mentors," said Gilliom.

Then there's "Malama E Na Kupuna," a Sunday matinee outing, which is being coordinated by Tony Conjugacion and Keahi Allen. It is being presented by the State Council on Hawaiian Heritage expressly to raise money for future programs at Lunalilo Home, a haven for Hawaiian-blood elders. A stunning roster of performers, each with a familial link to Lunalilo Home, will take the stage.

"It all started when Tony wanted to help out with our Kamehameha Hula and Chant Competition," said Allen. "I told him that if he could put together a show for Lunalilo Home, I could get the State Council on Hawaiian Heritage to help fund it."

Conjugacion discovered that a quiet network of devoted supporters was out there in the community, eager to donate time and talent because a tutu, a parent or some other 'ohana member had ties to Lunalilo Home.

"It was great to get guest artists with some affinity to the home," said Conjugacion. "We've asked the participants to share a story about that link, and do a song that fits the story."

In both cases, the audiences are the winners, certainly, because the featured acts normally never work together.

Gilliom, whose soprano voice often mirrors the hai genre of those she's honoring, believes in perpetuating the tradition by showcasing the styles for fans.

"I really enjoy working with the kupuna; after all, we learn from them," Gilliom said of her inspirations.

"And for me, it's a thrill to share the Hawai'i stage with them. I like everything about the place (the theater). The tech people are extremely professional, something I'm used to on the road. Burton (Burton White, theater manager) is my best friend, and he allows me the time there. I love the whole ambience of the hall because it really showcases the talent to the max."

Jennie Napua Hanaiali'i Woodd, Gilliom's grandmother, also will appear; at 90, she will be the ranking kupuna, age wise.

But Gilliom has extended her aloha for the seniors well beyond the traditional show places. "I go to Maui regularly to do an outreach program for the tutu," said Gilliom. "And the other day, we visited the elder home on Beretania Street to perform for the tutu there, too."

Conjugacion said he was earnest in his attempts to find the bonds between the current crop of performers with Lunalilo Home and discovered, one by one, how the links evolved among his performing cast.

For instance, the Cazimero Family (Tootsie and Rodney, possibly Roland, but not Robert) is participating because their late mom, Auntie Betty, spent her last years at Lunalilo Home.

Nina Keali'iwahamana, representing the Rodrigues family, is connected by a distant relative. Charles Kana'ina was the father of King Lunalilo and also was the great-great-grandfather of the Rodrigues clan that includes singer Boyce Rodrigues.

Similarly, all other performers have way-back-when ties: Melveen Leed, the Makaha Sons, Kilinahe, O'Brian Eselu, Ho'okena.

Even co-planner Allen has history with the home.

"My mother was a trustee on the board for 30 years, till the time of her death 12 years ago," said Allen. "I replaced her on the board and remember going there when I was younger. There's always been a soft spot in my heart for Lunalilo Home."

She said the concert is the first such public program — usually, direct mail solicitation and a golf tournament have been the sole sources of financing — but not the last for Lunalilo Home, which reopened a year ago after being closed for renovations for four years.

"We have 10 residents there now — and they will attend the concert and be honored — but we're able to accommodate 46," Allen said. "Also, we have plans beyond mere care facility; we want to involve the community, not just the Hawaiians, but the residents of Hawai'i Kai, which is an aging community. We see their involvement in daycare, meals on wheels, respite and so on. We've launched a foundation to raise funds for work in these areas in the future. It's all in the preliminary stages now."

Conjugacion perhaps is the lone individual involved in the show (he's producing and will be in the house band, and he could be called to solo duty, spirit willing) who doesn't have ties to Lunalilo Home.

"But," he chuckled. "I'm thinking of my future. I am going to reserve my room now, so it's there when I need it."