Got
Aloha?
Music: The Sounds of Hawaii
By
Tommy Tung
"I
wish I were in Hawaii," we Angelenos often whine,
being caged in our vehicles for hours, sweltering from
the smog, wondering if we are automobile cattle destined
for that slaughterhouse of urban blight. Until somebody
plants pineapples on Catalina Island, the closest place
to celebrate the Aloha spirit will probably be the annual
Sounds of Hawaii concert at the Greek Theatre, which
happened this year on Sunday, July 20.
For
about three hours, I left my worries behind with the
car in the parking lot. The sounds of Hawaii were mellifluous.
They massaged the soul. They deeply encouraged the idea
that Aloha isn't confined to Pacific Islands; this sacred
word of love sings from the hearts of those brave enough
to live it. The sounds varied and the performers were
many, but all shared the harmony.
Hosting
the Sounds of Hawaii, the svelte Brook Mahealani Lee
took the stage between acts. Her flippant charm and
gorgeous outfits won the crowd over just as she did
in 1997 when winning the Miss Universe contest.
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Eight
feet from Ten Feet.
Courtesy of Nederlander
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Ten
Feet kicked off the concert with their diverse repertoire
of rock, pop, funk, reggae, Latin, folk, R&B and
easy-listening ballads. They claim to be island contemporary
music rather than any one of the styles that inspire
them. Front man Ericson Camante demonstrated great vocal
range as his gentle lyrics rolled across the half-filled
amphitheatre. Particularly noteworthy was the strong
rhythm section. Active bass lines syncopated moderate-paced
songs to keep things bumping. When their set appeared
to be over, the crowd exclaimed, "Hana Hou!"
(Hawaiian for "One more time!") The young
twenty-something group covered the oldie, but goodie,
"Islands in the Stream," the Bee Gees' hit
popularized by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers' country
rendition. The adorable Raiatea Mokihana Maile Helm
provided vocal accompaniment for this closing number.
A
major crowd-pleaser, the Makaha Sons ruled the stage
for the remainder of the show. For the last 27 years,
this trio has been an island favorite with their Hawaiian
folk sensibility and refined talents. Jerome "Boogie"
Koko created rich tones with a 12-string guitar and
was quite the frequent comedian between songs, while
guitarist Louis "Moon" Kauakah would don his
humble smile. Upright bassist John Koko beamed as his
nimble fingers danced like a string of lit firecrackers
up and down the fingerboard.
The
illustrious Sister Robi, winner of multiple Na Hoku
Honohano Music Awards, joined the Makaha Sons on stage
with her guitar. The synergy of Robi and the sons was
an incendiary performance.
When
Raiatea Helm returned to share the stage with the Makaha
Sons, the crowd reveled in the virtuosity of her Hawaiian
lyrics. Every breath was honey for the ears. Precious
and magical, this 18-year-old's falsetto was a much-needed
cool breeze on this summer night.
As
I left the Greek Theatre, I didn't feel the need to
be an expatriate islander to enjoy the Sounds of Hawaii.
Nor did I need to understand the Hawaiian language to
hear the soul of the music. I just needed to believe
that when I returned to the parking lot, I would find
my car but not my worries. Because if I could still
embrace those metro anxieties after this epiphanic concert,
maybe I hadn't shouted, "Aloha!" loud enough
when Brooke Lee had commanded the crowd.
http://www.thesoundsofhawaii.com
August
1, 2003
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