THE NIGHT STUFF
Helm's passion works well in intimate Hale Noa

By Derek Paiva
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

Johnny Helm performs at Hale Noa in Kapahulu, where Helm's collection of evocative original ballads from his "At Random" debut CD and well-selected covers proved an apt match for the surroundings. You can catch Helm — and a bowl of 'awa (if you're at least 20) — at Hale Noa 10 p.m. to midnight on Saturdays. Photos by Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

Kelli Heath serves up 'awa for Clayton Collins of Waikiki. Hale Noa's kava is brewed from fresh-ground 'awa grown organically on Moloka'i.

Helm's intelligently written, elegantly graceful collection of acoustic beach folk "At Random" had been a rainy day favorite in my car CD player for a couple of months. So when I heard early last month that Helm was trying out a weekly Saturday-night gig at Hale Noa (with friends like Ernie Cruz Jr. and Barry Flanagan stopping by on occasion to jam), I eagerly planned a February visit.

Save for the soft beams of a few track lights and the glow of votives scattered about, Hale Noa's smallish, denlike interiors are almost pitch dark. Clutches of chairs and tables up front and a couple of even darker nooks tucked in back combine with Hale Noa's lighting ambiance to create an instant sense of intimacy and comfort. Helm's collection of evocative original ballads and well-selected covers proved an apt match for the surroundings.

Helm has a soothing rasp of a vox that, in a live setting, resonates with raw, emotional power. Standout "At Random" compositions like "Colors of the Night" and "Round and Round" wound up even more reminiscent of the bluesy folk of Ben Harper and (at least to these ears) the early folk musings of James Taylor. "Breathe," with a musical and lyrical structure recalling Curtis Mayfield's "People Get Ready," was just this side of exquisite.

Lending a hand with well-matched harmony vocals or the beat of a small set of bongos was Cruz, to whom Helm graciously gave several solo turns. Among other gems, Cruz turned in a wonderful acoustic take on Peter Frampton's "I'm in You."

Helm filled the rest of his too-brief hourlong set with loosely reworked covers of Van Morrison's "Into the Mystic," Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes," and Bob Dylan's "I Shall Be Released." With his wonderful blending of raw vocal power and passionate delivery, I couldn't wait to hear what Helm would bring out next.

As for our evening libation, Hale Noa owner Keoni Verity took generous time to explain the finer points of 'awa consumption and history to a couple of first-timers (yours truly and some guy named Aaron) and even joined us in our first bowlfuls. Brewed from fresh-ground 'awa root grown organically on eastern Moloka'i, Hale Noa's 'awa concoction went down surprisingly smooth with only a hint of bitterness, but no shortage of its, um, earthy taste.

As Verity had forewarned, I experienced very little of the root's legendary psychoactive effects even after his recommended three bowls of the stuff over an hour. That would arrive, he promised, after two or three Hale Noa visits as my body built up a sensitivity to 'awa. The only effect I felt was a slightly numbed tongue.

Patrons floated in and out of Hale Noa in our time there, some sticking around for Helm's performance while others downed bowls of 'awa like shots before heading out into the night.

I'll be back for more of both soon enough.

Got a night spot or club event we should check out? Reach Derek Paiva at dpaiva@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8005.

Who: Johnny Helm.

Where: Hale Noa, 766 Kapahulu Ave., 735-4292.

When: 10 p.m.-midnight Saturdays.

Cover charge: None.

Younger than 21 OK? Yes, although you must be 20 or older to consume 'awa.

Age of crowd: 20s to 30s.

Dress code: None.

Attire we saw: Mostly casual. On men: solid and print tees, aloha shirts, jeans, baseball caps, skull caps. On women: blouses, peasant blouses, tanks, tees, jeans.

Our arrival/departure: 10:15 p.m./midnight.

What we drank: 'awa ($4.50 a bowl).

Peak crowd while there: 20.

Queue?: No.

Dancing? No.

Night notes ...

With February mercifully short, Honolulu's popular monthlies are dropping about a week earlier than usual this month. "Electric Piranha Room," Sisters In Sound's "ISIS," and KIPO-FM's "Blues Night" happen on Saturday night at Ocean Club, Auntie Pasto's in Kapahulu and Anna Bannana's, respectively. Wave Waikiki's "Glitter N Glamour Experience" should practically own Tuesday's post-midnight club scene.

Vinyl Pymps' weekend Afterhours parties resurfaced last weekend at 478 Ena Road, Island Club & Cafe, or whatever the former Pink Cadillac is calling itself now. The post-2 a.m. party machine shut down after Virus Entertainment Center did the same last month. The Pymps plan to kick off a new weekly called Juicy at Maze on Saturday.