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Music

Stories regarding Molokai’s music scene

Modern Kids, Old History

Monday, April 11th, 2011

Modern Kids, Old History

Students at Kualapu`u School transformed their auditorium into a multi-cultural mecca last Thursday with a school play about Hawaii’s history.

“I wasn’t nervous today,” said La`a Sumarnap, a sixth grader of Kualapu`u School.

Last Thursday’s play portrayed important events from Hawaii’s history, starting with the formation of Hawaii’s archipelago, to the banning of hula, and the migration of Chinese, Japanese and Filipinos who worked on Hawaii’s plantations.

“We made our drums out of tires and tape,” he said.

Kenilyn Nishihiri-Aki, a sixth grader at Kualapu`u , summed up the play.

“We all have aloha for this place where we live. We love the Hawaiian culture,” she said.

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Ekolu Brings it Home

Monday, April 4th, 2011

Ekolu Brings it Home

Ekolu’s keyboard player is Molokai’s own Tom Mamuad, born and raised in Ho`olehua. The Molokai Dispatch sat down to talk story with him about how he began playing and how it felt to perform for the home crowd.

Molokai Dispatch (MD): How did you get your musical start?
Tom Mamuad (TM): I learned to play keyboard by playing at King’s Chapel growing up. After I graduated from Molokai High in 2002, I moved to Maui and got my professional start playing in a phenomenal band called Nuffsedd. That was where I sunk my teeth into a lot of stuff like parties and bar gigs. I also got involved in music at King’s Cathedral on Maui. I try to keep myself as musically varied as possible – you never know what situation you’ll need to play in.

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Ekolu Spreading Love

Monday, March 28th, 2011

Ekolu Spreading Love

Award-winning reggae band, Ekolu is letting the music flow with their latest album release, “Simply for Love.”  They will be at Molokai’s very own Paddler’s Inn for the album release party, this Saturday, April 2, hosted by HI Finest Productions. Local boy Paulele Alcon’s company will also be donating proceeds of the concert to the Molokai High School Athletics Department.

Ekolu’s front-man, Lukela Keala, spoke with the Dispatch about Ekolu’s inspirations, his personal experiences of growing up in Wailuku Valley in Maui, and what we can expect from his band this weekend.

Molokai Dispatch (MD): How do you think Ekolu’s style has evolved over the years?

Lukela Keala (LK): Just wanting to be a better musician. Doesn’t take much to motivate me.

I could never get away from it.

MD: You have played shows on the mainland, as well as Japan. How do those audiences differ from Hawaii’s audiences?
LK: People on the mainland and Japan are more emotional. I guess that’s because they don’t local music all the time. You can feel that they miss home a lot!

MD: What is the number one message you want to spread amongst your listeners?
LK: That’s simple - love.

MD: What do you listen to these days?
LK: All kinds of stuff – oldies, reggae, Hawaiian, Jazz, Light Rock, Opera (Andrea Bocelli’s my man) and just a mix of everything.

Thank you, Lord Jesus for everything. I am grateful for you. Much love to all of the Molokai people. Oh, and one more thing, pick up our new album, “Simply For Love.” I know you guys don’t have a Borders over there, so check it on our website: www.ekolumusic.com. Love you, Molokai folks!

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Keeping It Classy

Monday, March 28th, 2011

Keeping It Classy

Molokai elementary students enjoyed a relaxing start to their four-day weekend last Thursday afternoon when they were treated to a classical music performance.

The Galliard String Quartet, an ensemble of Chamber Music Hawaii, travelled across the island, stopping at each elementary school and the Molokai Public Library as part of an educational outreach program through the Honolulu Symphony.

The violinists, a violist and a cellist demonstrated the versatility of the classical genre by playing a variety of musical selections, including arrangements from World War II and modern folklore.

 “Classical music is a treasure of national history,” said quartet violinist Hung Wu. “There is much more to be learned in addition to the notes and arrangements.”

Students enthusiastically asked questions about the origins of the pieces played, how long the musicians have been playing and the materials used to craft the instruments.

“I like the low sound of the bass and would like to try play sometime,” said Kaunakakai third grader Beverly Ludgate.

Kualapu`u School Principal Lydia Trinidad said the kids benefited from the participatory aspect of the show and “got a rise out of watching their teachers get on stage and play with the ensemble”

“It’s great the quartet can come and expose the kids to new world culture at an expert level of performance,” said Kaunakakai teacher Bob Underwood, who also teaches violin and brass instruments through the 21st Century program. Classes are offered at Kaunakakai Elementary, Kualapu`u School and Maunaloa Elementary.

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Teacher Expands Music Knowledge

Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011

Teacher Expands Music Knowledge

Updated.

Bob Underwood is on a mission to change lives with a new afterschool music program. It incorporates a number of instruments, including the violin.

 “I only do this because I love music,” said Bob Underwood, a first grade teacher at Kaunakakai Elementary School. Underwood is currently offering violin classes through the 21st Century program, and hopes to expand to trombone and trumpet classes soon.

He is joined by bandmate and friend, Rob Stephenson, president of Molokai Chamber of Commerce. Stephenson teaches saxophone, flute and clarinet at Kaunakakai Elementary; Underwood offers his violin classes at Kaunakakai, Kualapu`u, and Maunaloa Elementary. Between the two, there are around 40 students involved, ranging from kindergarteners to senior citizens.

Underwood has been playing bass guitar since his college days and now wants to pass the torch on to his students. He believes that music can further students in other subjects as well.


 “Studies have shown that learning an instrument can tune the ear better, making it easier to hear foreign language,” Underwood said. He also noted a connection to improved science and math scores.

Molokai lost the high school band program in 2004 after the departure of its music teacher. Since then, brass and woodwind instruments have been void in the classroom.

A Legacy
The 21st Century Grant has been stimulating young minds on Molokai since it began in 2001. It has funded programs such as Summer Bridge Math, Robotics, and ‘Connecting Molokai M’s: Me, My Mind, My Mana`o’ - a program which fosters the learning of local heritage.

Underwood wants to thank Kaunakakai Elementary Principal Janice Espiritu for her support. Espiritu was instrumental in bringing the 21 Century Grant program to Molokai.

“We wouldn’t be having these classes if it wasn’t for her,” Underwood


For those who are interested in learning one or more of these instruments, contact Bob Underwood at Kaunakakai Elementary School 553-1730

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The Green Rocks the Barn

Monday, February 14th, 2011

The Green Rocks the Barn

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The Green is Growing

Monday, February 7th, 2011

The Green is Growing

The Green started as a band that started to make music for fun. These days, their debut album is the top reggae album of 2010 on iTunes. And they are returning to Molokai once again, this Friday night at The Barn.

Zion Thompson, lead vocalist and guitarist for The Green, remembers the first time he heard their first single, “Love I” on the radio.

“I just laughed. I couldn’t stop laughing,” Thompson said in a phone interview last week. “I’ve heard of people tripping out or crying, but I just couldn’t believe it.”

album of the year. I don’t think we believed it for a couple weeks,” Thompson said. “It was kind of like the worst news and the best news of the year.”

The Green has not forgotten where they came from and the people that have helped them to get to this point in their career. Thompson was not hesitant to thank local musicians in Hawaii.

“We are good friends with local artists like Anuhea. Our friends’ success helps our success and vice versa,” Thompson said. “We consider this a blessing. We work hard and it’s nice to have somebody say, ‘Good job.’”

Local boys Irie Alert will be on hand to open for The Green this Friday evening. Their concert is a benefit for the Friends of the Molokai Middle and High School Fund. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. at the high school gym.

“Molokai is the vibe. It will be a good way to mellow us out before we go on tour,” Thompson said.

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HI Finest True to Roots

Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011

In the year since creating his own clothing company, local boy Paulele Alcon has successfully combined his humble country roots with the thriving music scene on Oahu. And following the success of two concerts held on Molokai last year – featuring popular reggae bands Katchafire and The Green – Alcon is staying true to his word.

“This next year, my priority is Molokai,” Alcon said. While working continuously on fresh designs, Alcon is sharing the benefits of his clothing and promotions company with Molokai.

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Hawaiian Roots

Thursday, October 28th, 2010

Hawaiian Roots

Musician, songwriter, producer, and educator Patrick Landeza will be performing a Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar concert, featuring special guests Herb Ohta, Jr and Kevin Brown, at Hotel Molokai on Nov. 13.

Born and raised to Hawaiian parents on the island of Berkeley, California, Landeza cultivated his craft by studying slack key as a teen from the masters of the genre.  Patrick’s mother, Francine O’Sullivan Landeza (class of 1957) was raised on Molokai and helped tend their Hawaiian homestead on Ho`olehua. Landeza’s grandfather, Francis “Honey” O’Sullivan was an engineer who constructed many of the water tanks on the island.  


“I grew up with stories about Ho`olehua, about mom growing up on a farm, about music, faith and hardship,” Landeza said. “My dream was to return to Molokai and to do a show” – now becoming a reality.

Landeza is considered to be a leading force behind Hawaiian slack key guitar, or ki ho`alu, on the mainland. He recently completed his third CD entitled “Ku`u Honua Mele” (My Music World) which includes all-star guest appearances by George Winston, Cyril Pahinui, Dennis and David Kamakahi, Sally Van Meter, Bobby Black, Steve Boughman and Herb Ohta, Jr.

Currently Patrick balances music and teaches 12th graders at St. Elizabeth High in Oakland, California, where he organizes students and participates in community service around the Bay Area. He also continues the family catering business, Landeza’s Island Catering, and raising (along with his wife Jennifer) his three young sons. Patrick (somehow) finds time to tour the country teaching and performing ki ho’alu and continues weekly slack key lessons in Berkeley, at the Freight and Salvage. Landeza has also released a slack key instructional DVD, slack key play along CDs, and has published slack key lessons in Acoustic Guitar magazine as well as other publications.

For additional information please contact Jennifer at (510) 703-7763 or email landezapresents@gmail.com  Also visit us at www.patricklandeza.com

 

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He Mana`o Aloha `Ia

Wednesday, October 20th, 2010

He Mana`o Aloha `Ia

Check out a selection of photos from this year's Festivals of Aloha.

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