Music Scene
Slack-key musicians pass the torch

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor

George Kahumoku Jr., right, with his son Keoki Kahumoku and grandson (Keoki's son) Aaron. George and Keoki Kahumoku will be part of Saturday's "Slack Key Generations" concert at the Academy of Arts. "It's going to be loose, fun," George Kahumoku says. Novy Novak-Clifford George Kahumoku Jr. Appearing on "Slack Key Generations"; part of "Na Mele O Hawai'i" series 7:30 p.m. Saturday Courtyard, Honolulu Academy of Arts $15 532-8700 Also featuring: Keoki Kahumoku, Herb Ohta Sr. and Herb Ohta Jr., Ozzie Kotani and Danny Carvalho, Cindy Combs and Eli Emery; Ledward Ka'apana is guest star. Also: Kahumoku and Ka'apana appear on "A Prairie Home Companion" at 1 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Hawai'i Theatre; both shows are sold out.

"I've been working on a master's degree," said Kahumoku, 51, the Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winning trouper who is the heartbeat of "Slack Key Generations," a concert tomorrow in the courtyard of the Honolulu Academy of Arts. The program is part of the academy's "Na Mele O Hawai'i" series.

"I've also been farming," Kahumoku said in a phone interview. "And seeking out bargains. After all, I am Chinese, and while I miss things about Hawai'i, the prices are much cheaper, not only for food but for water, too. I can buy a slab (of roast pork) for $5 here; cost me $30 at home."

A Kihei resident when he's not in California, Kahumoku is on a year's sabbatical from Lahainaluna High School, where he works with at-risk kids. He's a 30-year Department of Education veteran who adores his day job, too.

"I work with the at-risk kids here, too, so it feels like home," he said. "Kids with problems are the same everywhere.

"And to me, teaching is teaching — it's the system and the style that need to be changed," he said. "We send kids to detention when there are problems. The thing is, we need to find activities and ways that attract them and keep them interested. Like, music has helped me in my teaching of English; the kids write poetry that become songs. Music makes them relax; they are thrilled when they create something. Every person has two sides; the side they present to everyone, the side that's inside. How to get the inner feelings expressed outside is what makes communication works. And music helps."

Kahumoku has been taking long-distance learning sessions with Grand Canyon University, out of Phoenix. He hopes to complete his degree by August.

And he's also been doing long-distance communication with his musical colleagues lined up for the "Generations" concert. Besides Kahumoku and his son, Keoki Kahumoku, the players, mostly ki ho'alu (slack-key) masters will be:

• Herb Ohta Sr. and Herb Ohta Jr., masters of the 'ukulele.
• Ozzie Kotani and his student, Danny Carvalho.
• Cindy Combs and her student, Eli Emery.
• Ledward Ka'apana, in a special guest appearance.

"It's all about handing the baton to the next generation," said Kahumoku of the bottom line for "Generations."

Even if he admits that it was his brother Moses Kahumoku, with whom he has performed, who instructed Keoki years ago. "I was too busy working and teaching and farming," he said.

The concept, to link a master with an offspring or student, evolved about three years ago. There were others Kahumoku wanted to involve (Dennis Kamakahi and his son David, for instance), but schedule conflicts prevented everyone from hopping aboard.

"It's going to be loose, fun, with some of us playing with others, some of us doing solos," said Kahumoku. "Herb Sr. and Jr., for instance, will play alone; but Keoki and Herb Jr. will play together. Danny Carvalho's dream is to play with Ledward, and he'll be able to."

Divorced for three years, Kahumoku has a girlfriend who helps make his life away from home much easier.

Then again, over the years, Kahumoku has shipped over several hundred pounds of imu rocks, so he can roast a pig or turkey (for Thanksgiving), island style.

"I bring over two ice chests, load 'em up with 70 pounds or so of rocks, and bring over 140 pounds each time I go back to California," he said. "They laugh at me at security, they no believe got stones inside, till they X-ray the stuff. Now the porter who knows me says, 'Aaay, Uncle George, more stones.' The stones are part of my culture; but I never take illegally. There are mountain stones in California, but I get mine from Olowalu. My grandmother told me you can take stones any time they reach the ocean; when they reach the salt water, it releases the mana'o."

Because of his background as a farmer on the Big Island, Kahumoku has managed to maintain a taro patch, plant banana and guava trees and his favorite Chinese herbs, and other staples of the 'aina.

Kahumoku also has been in the recording studio (he's a Dancing Cat Records artist) with steel guitarist Bob Brozman, and they intend to release an acoustic CD some time next year.

He's got a full plate when he's home this weekend, since he opens up both "Prairie Home Companion" shows that Garrison Keillor is giving tomorrow at the Hawai'i Theatre. Yes, there's an overlap on the evening performance of "Prairie," but not to worry: "I go on last at the Academy. So probably will be by 10 o'clock, when I close the show."