Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 20, Number 8, 1 August 2003 — Up close and personal with Dennis Kamakahi [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Up close and personal with Dennis Kamakahi

By Manu Boyd Dennis Kamakahi is a poet's poet. Not only has he created some of Hawai'i's all-time classics like "Pua Ilone" and "Wahine 'Ilikea ," he has an open fondness for the poetry of others. In his latest release, "The Gift of Music From Father to Son," Kamakahi gives honor, in the form of insight, to the likes of Alfred 'Alohikea, Emma Bishop and unidentified others. Ten song selections are featured, eaeh preceded by a separate narrative track that reveals a bit about the songs. But this is not like what an emeee might announee in a show. This is one poet savoring flavorful morsels of others. His tone, ehoiee of words, and of course, ehoiee of songs, are deep reflections his own fiber. "Ka Loke 'UIa Lahilahi " (the delicate red rose) was inspired by a moment in Santa Cruz referred to by Kamakahi as "Kana Kula." He saw a trel-

lis with a blooming rose in llu diffused sunlight of morning that made him think of his love waiting at home across the sea. The mood is romantic with an almost Sam Li'a-like feel. That is, classic, catchy, easy to remember, difficult i to forget. /

Emma Bishop's "Kaho 'olawe " is beautifully performed as a duet with his son, David Kamakahi, who also

serves up 'ukulele on the proiect. The

song is from another era, so too the narrative, recalling the sacred island's former use as a bombing target by the U.S. military. Despite the pain onee felt for the abused island, the performanee is dignified, warm and nahenahe. Aliee Nāmakelua introduced "Ka Manu " many

years ago, recalling a story of unrequited

love. The vivid imagery, simplicity of melody and richness of poetry make this song a classic of all time that we should embrace and treasure. Jealousy, willfulness, desire, love, disap-

/ pointment and pain are skillfully / woven by a 19th century poet / who concludes in English and ' Hawaiian saying, "Goodbye kāua me ka 'eha'eha." Excellence in poetry is again showcased in " Huelo ," a Maui song made popular in the 1970s by the

sons of Hawai'i, a group Kamakahi himself played with for many years. "E ho 'i mai i ka uka (hiu!), i ka uka 'iu'iu o Huelo (lilo!), i laila noho pili ai ( wela ) me ka 'ō'ō hulu laha 'ole See KAMAKAHI on page 18

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Mfi f 'Aii ana

KAMAKAHI from page 1 1 Sometimes we need to look baek before we ean move forward in a good way. This CD, with its aeeompanying narra-

tives, gives us fuel to move forward with added insight and brimming eultural pride. Mahalo e Kamakahi, ka haku mele. ■