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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, August 15, 2008

ISLAND SOUNDS
Japan's Kimura a queen on slack-key

By Wayne Harada

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser
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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser
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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser
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"Ho'i Mai 'O Agnes" by Agnes Kimura; Island Viking

  • Genre: Anthology of traditional and contemporary Hawaiian.

  • Distinguishing notes: Agnes Kimura has been an ambassador of Island music in her native Japan for three decades, a singer-musician who mixes vocals and ki ho'alu in her repertoire. Three aspects of her career — as singer, as strummer, as composer — are recapitulated via Leonard Kwan's "'Opihi Moemoe" and the immortal Lili'uokalani standard, "Queen's Jubilee," on which she also demonstrates her affinity with Island aloha via 'ukulele.

    As vocalist, she is at ease and projects grace and knowledge of the Hawaiian language on "Pauoa Liko Ka Lehua" ... and convincing sounds like an Island native. Rendering several co-compositions with producer Keith Haugen, Kimura's precision and command of material are the perfect bridge to meld Hawai'i and Japan ties; just give a quick listen to "Mokupuni Nui," "E Hula Mai 'Oe" and "Ka Pua."

    As composer, her "He Hawai'i Au" is widely applauded, establishing roots here, fertilized by the Haugen 'ohana (Keith and Carmen) which timed the release of this CD to this weekend's slack-key guitar festival Sunday at Kapi'olani Park Bandstand. (See Page 21 for more details).

    Since gracing a slack-key festival in 1990, Kimura has built on this foundation. She is Hawaiian at heart.

    The 14 tracks, culled from four previous albums, includes hapa-haole ("Kaimana Hila") and Nippon ("Koko Ni Sachi Ari" and "Hole Hole Bushi," both sung in Japanese) tunes, reflecting the best of both her worlds.

  • Our take: Kimura's Hawaiian-style strumming and singing provide reassuring evidence that ki ho'alu is king worldwide.

    Sample song: "'Opihi Moemoe" by Agnes Kimura

    "Hawaiian Steel, Vol. 5" by Duke Kaleolani Ching; Keala Records

  • Genre: Hawaiian steel-guitar instrumentals.

  • Distinguishing notes: The steel guitar's power and prowess yield lilting tones and images of an idyllic tropical paradise. Duke Kaleolani Ching, Kaua'i-reared and now Southern California-based, earlier played with Gabby Pahinui and Don Ho, so yes, he's put in the time.

    The playful "In a Little Hula Heaven," the rollicking "Hawaiian War Chant," the subtle "Soft Green Seas," the dreamy "Old Plantation," the jaunty "Hula Blues" are stuff from the nostalgia bag.

  • Our take: A comfy stroll down memory lane, from a man of steel who hasn't forgotten his roots.

    Sample song: "Hula Blues" by Duke Kaleolani Ching

    "Mauna Kea" by Henry Kaleialoha Allen; Knob & Tube Recording

  • Genre: Hawaiian steel guitar instrumentals.

  • Distinguishing notes: Another steel outing, from a Mauian whose repertoire is definitely old-school, tapping some memorables with Island orientation: "Nani Waimea," "Akaka Falls," "Across the Sea."

    While it is not Hawaiian, the Hollywoodish "Moon of Manakoora" evokes the tropical paradise of old, so its inclusion here is somewhat logical.

  • Our take: Limited commercial appeal, but the artistry is genuine and earnest.

    Sample song: "Paradise Isles" by Henry Kaleialoha Allen

    Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.