Posted on: Friday, January 24, 2003

'Talk-story' treats your senses

By Lee Cataluna
Advertiser Columnist

When asked what was the most unusual or memorable gig they played in their 40 years in the music business, Noelani Mahoe and Leo Nahenahe, four women who have traveled and performed extensively around the world, answered almost in unison: "Mauna Lani Talk-Story!"

The event is actually called "Twilight at Kalahuipua'a" by its founder and host, Danny Akaka Jr. "It's the closest you can get to a real, backyard Hawaiian program," Akaka explains. He warns, though, that it's impossible to describe it in words. "It's something you have to experience with all your senses. It's something you have to feel in your na'au."

Twenty years ago, college degree in hand, Akaka started out in the landscaping department of the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel on the Big Island. He would often answer questions from hotel guests wondering about Hawaiian culture and the history of the area. Soon, Akaka was conducting impromptu tours of the area after work. That eventually led to his position of director of cultural affairs for Mauna Lani.

Five years ago, Akaka started the monthly talk-story sessions at the Eva Parker Woods cottage, a historic ranch-style home. He wanted to hold the gatherings at sunset, what he calls a sacred time in Hawaiian culture and a time when families generations ago would gather on the porch, watch the day turn to night and share stories and song. The official time for the program is 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., but it often continues into the evening when everyone is having too good a time to go home. "Imagine an old-style lanai lit by kerosene lanterns," he says. "Soft light coming from inside the cottage, and all the people sitting around outside with their bentos or picnic dinners."

At first, the talk-story sessions were held on the night of the full moon, but Akaka decided it was most important that families bring their children. So now the gatherings are held once a month, on the Saturday closest to the full moon.

"The one night in five years that we didn't do it, I was on the voyage to Rapa Nui," says Akaka. "But that night that we would have done Talk-Story, I was in the bay of Pitcairn Island. I looked up and I could see the silhouette of the islands and the coconut trees and the moon above it, so beautiful, so we did a talk-story on the canoe."

Akaka invites kupuna to speak, or calls entertainers to do an"unplugged storytellers" performance. But the best of what ends up happening is usually unplanned.

What started out with 20 people in attendance is now up to 400, sometimes 600. "People ask me why don't we advertise the event. I say, 'Can you imagine if we did?' "

"It's a very magical evening. I tell people as we open up, be prepared for anything. In Hawai'i, we live with the gifts of nature and that we move with the spirit. We don't fight that current; we flow with it. So if the wind blows, it's OK. If it rains, it's OK. If it snows, it's OK. We're just thankful to be there in the moment."