ISLAND SOUNDS
Tony Conjugacion pays homage to his Hawai'i roots

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor

"TONY C. SINGS ... NA HULU WELO (FAMILY TREASURES)," by Tony Conjugacion, MGC Records MGC 1039

A "Kona Medley," not his own creation but performed as if he owns it, is a warm reflection on a Hawai'i of another time. Conjugacion's upper-register voice here is sweetly nostalgic, conjuring up a simpler time yet moving forward to find new audiences for these gemstones.

He occasionally surprises, taking on his kumu (teacher) posture and venturing into a spirituality expected of an elder. He's not quite Uncle Tony yet (a tad too young for that) but his style and his manner are establishing him as a wellspring of artistry and knowledge. If anything, identity has been his problem over the years. As a novice, he was Little Anthony; as a Broadway performer, he was Tony C. Avanti; he's put his rock stamp onto Hawaiian soil; he's a kumu hula and he reinvents himself every couple of years.

Now he's Tony C, writing and singing in Hawaiian and English, paying homage to good and bad times, a reflection of life that applies not only to his family, but yours, too.

"Pua Mokihana" is a lovely find, equating the mokihana with a child; blooms abound in his memory and livelihood, and the mele "Kalehuamakanoe," speaks lovingly of the favored but fragile lehua blossom, performed with heartfelt joy.

"Mi Nei" is revived as an homage to "Mom" Emma Louise Makalau Ako, whose hula signature this was for years. And there's a chalangalang (backyard jam) spirit to his falsetto rendering of "Kepola." Then he plunges deep, into a darker tones, on the tune about the "Naupaka" blossom.

The family format involves participation by a few close to his circle, including Patrick Kalani Alejo's duet on "Lei Ilima."

One of Conjugacion's pearls, "Ka Beauty a o Manoa," is restrung with new brilliance, taking its rightful place in this necklace of 'ohana, demonstrating his formidable spark and energy in keeping the flame of Hawaiiana burning.

And to maintain the family spirit, Conjugacion's brother, Brother Noland, produced the CD.

"Pua Mokihana" by Tony Conjugacion. Audio sample available in mp3 and RealAudio formats.

Correction: "Tony C. Sings … Na Hulu Welo (Family Treasures)" is the title of Tony Conjugacion's new CD. On the recording, he sings "Kepola." A previous version of this article contained incorrect information.