A documentary on Hawaiian backyard music is inching toward a wrap, after which the long task of whittling hours of raw footage into a 90-minute DVD will begin. With three shoots in the bag and one more scheduled, producers can
A documentary on Hawaiian backyard music is inching toward a wrap, after which the long task of whittling hours of raw footage into a 90-minute DVD will begin.
With three shoots in the bag and one more scheduled, producers can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
The work began with a grant from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs as a way of preserving aspects of Hawaiian culture, a press release states. The Kauai Historical Society must now raise $2,500 in matching funds to complete the project and to receive the full grant from OHA.
The first shoot focused on the Happy Hawaiians, including Mike Chandler, Peter Piilani, “Haole Pete” Fielder, Bill Kaauwai, Stanton Pa and Honey Girl Hoomanawanui, who spoke with interviewer Koko Kanealii about early mentors of slack key and Hawaiian music.
At the second shoot, Aunty Kapeka Mahuiki Chandler, her brother Samson Mahuiki Sr. and friend Judy Nalda sang traditional melodies outside a classic island home. Big John Kauo played upright bass and sang harmony.
“We always sang at church and even at other churches,” said Chandler, who began singing with her mother and the Maka family.
“Singing Hawaiian music is a way of life that’s disappearing,” Mahuiki said. “This filming is at a crossroads because the music is dying out.”
The video will also explore the communal act of making music, including the bonding before, during and after.
“First, the gang gets together, we eat, then everybody gets going with the music,” Mahuiki said.
The April rains stopped just in time for the third shoot in Princeville. As a child, Kalani Flores won several talent contests on O‘ahu but Hawaiian music never hit home until, while incarcerated, he saw Hawaiian musicians play at the prison. Once released, he continued to play music and perform in clubs, and would get together with Gabby Pahinui and others for jam sessions after work.
Lady Ipo and her mother kept their Hawaiian traditions alive even in Cleveland, Ohio, where her father was assigned by the Coast Guard. Lady Ipo favors Hawaiian music with jazz inflections, and she treasures times spent with Kalani at his house in Anahola, working out harmonies and arrangements.
On the video, Garrett Santos and Pancho Graham joined Kalani and Lady Ipo as they performed some classics, including “Hiilawe,” as well as original compositions by Kalani and Lady Ipo. The rain resumed just as the quartet sang the last song.
“Shortly after the videotaping, Kalani underwent surgery, and Aunty Kapeka’s health is fragile,” the filmmakers said. “Making this documentary about some of Kaua‘i’s Hawaiian musicians has become even more important.”
To make a donation, or for more information, call the Kauai Historical Society at 245-3373.
