Five Questions: Conjugacion urges guest acts to stretch repertoire

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

Tony Conjugacion, whose annual halau fund-raiser will be held tonight, has asked his guest performers to do something different. Advertiser library photo KAMAU PONO VII 7 p.m. today Hawai'i Theatre $25 528-0506

Tony Conjugacion, whose hula halau is behind "Kamau Pono VII" (and its enticing subtitle, "We Love Hula, We Love Hawaiian Music ... But We Are Much More"), said his annual fund-raiser, today at the Hawai'i Theatre, is also a fun-raiser.

He's invited some notables in Island show biz to break bread with him ... and grow in the process. He's asked each guest act — Raiatea Helm, the award-winning falsetto singer; Keli'i Kaneali'i, the former member of Hapa; Martin Pahinui, from the beloved Pahinui musical family and a lead singer from the Peter Moon Band; and the Tau Dance Company with Kamakoa Page — to present morsels not commonly associated with their reputation.

"The idea was to get our guests to stress a bit," said Conjugacion, who's done a lot of stretching himself over time and over a myriad of theatrical disciplines. As a youth, he was known as Little Anthony, performing in clubs with Melveen Leed; as a young adult, he was Tony C. Avanti, Broadway singer-dancer in "Miss Saigon," where he wore blue contacts to shield his brown eyes; as Tony C., he has delved into pop-rock with instinctive passion; as kumu of Halau Na Wainohia, he has led a glorious life. TV fans also know Conjugacion as a "Hawai'i Stars" judge.

We caught up with Conjugacion on Kaua'i, where he was spending time last weekend to prepare and carry out his 'uniki (graduation) for seven hula students, and asked him Five Questions:

How did you decide on who to include in this year's fund-raiser, given your format?

"These are individuals I worked with over the years, who've been pigeon-holed into Hawaiian music, for the most part. They all have another side — Martin Pahinui, for instance, will do an all-Beatles song segment; I will do an operatic aria; my halau will do 'One' from 'A Chorus Line,' Keli'i will sing pop songs like 'Lady in Red,' and Raiatea ... well, I'll keep her a surprise."

You're going to make your guests either stretch ... or get stressed out. Why push the envelope?

"I think we all have some hidden talent; one girl, who was in our 'uniki, is a concert pianist. You get too comfortable and stale if you don't get a little stress. I'm glad I had people like Melveen and Neva (Neva Rego, a voice coach) and the late Zillah Young, who wanted me to be an opera tenor because I was so intent on falsetto."

You have been very pliable over the years, in musical tastes, in looks, in the many hats you wear as an entertainer. What haven't you done yet that you want to do?

"I'm getting to the age where the next thing I want is to have kids. I don't like to give my age anymore, so when people ask, I just say, 'Hello, do the math.' When did I start singing with Melveen? Seriously, my next 'production' will be private."

You're part of a talented family, with your brother and your sister all successful in their own ways. How competitive was the family?

"Not very. Noland (Brother Noland is his professional name) and I always have acknowledged each other's abilities. But in some ways, I think my sister (Keahi Conjugacion, who also is known as Keahi Del Negro) is the eldest and has felt overshadowed, probably because she started late in show business because she started a family. But now, she's doing what she wants to do (perform jazz)."

So how next are you reinventing yourself?

"I'm sworn to secrecy; Jon (Jon de Mello, record producer) is starting me on a new project; I've started on the music but won't record for a while ... though I hope the product is out by next fall. After that, I want to retreat into private life; for the most part, I've always led a very public life. I want to go to a restaurant and eat without people staring at me, checking me out. That's one thing I miss about New York — the anonymity. Honestly, over there, they don't care."

Reach Wayne Harada at 525-8067, wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, or fax 525-8055.