Carlos Andrade honored at 1st E Kanikapila Kakou Monday

HANAMA‘ULU — “Remembering Carlos Andrade” is the theme of the first installment of E Kanikapila Kakou (EKK), on Monday, Feb. 6, beginning at 5 p.m. at the Kaua‘i Beach Resort.

It is evening one of nine in the Hawaiian culture, music and tradition series of the Garden Island Arts Council.

Food and drink are available for purchase.

E Kanikapila Kakou is literally “Let’s play a stringed instrument together.”

Musicians and hula dancers jam with the audience starting at 5 p.m., oftentimes teaching all a song which will be performed later in the evening. Guests artists perform from 6 yto 8:30 p.m.

Friends of the late Carlos Andrade, Ph.D., will share a heartfelt Kaua‘i tribute to an extraordinary composer, musician, scholar, teacher, farmer, family man and friend who left us all too soon.

Pancho Graham, member with Andrade of the group Na Pali, along with Mauliola Cook, Kumu Hula Pua Gomes and Kahanu Keawe from Kanuikapono Public Charter School, will rally their respective troops to share a heartfelt look into the life and contributions of Andrade. Healani Youn, a former Miss Aloha Hula winner at the Merrie Monarch hula competition on Hawai‘i Island, will share her hula stylings as her tribute to Andrade.

Joining Graham in a quartet in the style of Na Pali will be Kirby Keough on ‘ukulele and vocals, Garret Santos on bass and Kilipaki Vaughan on steel guitar. They will share songs composed by Andrade, as well as songs the group loved to perform.

Formed in 1986, Na Pali, with Carlos Andrade, Pancho Graham, Pat Cockett and Fred Lunt, recorded “Pacific Tunings.” They also played as The Hula Blues Band whenever Grammy winner and former Kaua‘i resident Taj Mahal performed. The Hula Blues Band also toured Eruope with Mahal.

EKK organizers encourage all interested to view the 2008 “Long Story Short” YouTube interview that Leslie Wilcox did with Carlos Andrade in 2008, in which he shares his journey through life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lo61eF4IV6I&t=133s.

EKK is the Grassroots Heritage Hawaiian Music program of the nonprofit 501(c)3 Garden Island Arts Council. Tke EKK 2023 programs are every Monday through March 27, with a special concert on Tuesday, Feb. 28.

Featured artists may have recordings for sale. Other artists’ crafts may be available for sale.

The entrance fee for EKK is $10 per person for residents and $20 for visitors, and may be purchased online or at the door. The Feb. 28 concert ticket will be $60 plus a small handling fee. Pay at the door or get tickets at Eventbrite: ekk2023.eventbrite.com

Children under the age of 12 are admitted free to the Monday EKK sessions.

For more information, e-mail us at giac05@icloud.com. Check out the Garden Island Arts Council website at: gardenislandarts.org; or link to the EKK FB site at: https://www.facebook.com/ekanikapilakakou.kauaistyle/.