By JOHN BURNETT By JOHN BURNETT ADVERTISING Tribune-Herald staff writer The 23rd Annual Big Island Hawaiian Music Festival is on tap for Saturday, July 14, and Sunday, July 15, at Hilo’s Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium, noon to 6 p.m. both days.
By JOHN BURNETT
Tribune-Herald staff writer
The 23rd Annual Big Island Hawaiian Music Festival is on tap for Saturday, July 14, and Sunday, July 15, at Hilo’s Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium, noon to 6 p.m. both days.
As usual, the lineup is stellar. Among those taking the stage on Saturday are Benny Chong, Diana Aki, Darlene Ahuna, Ku‘uipo Kumukahi, Manny Varize and Rob Yamanoha, while slack key legends Cyril Pahinui, Dennis Kamakahi, Sonny Lim, plus Kainani Kahaunaele and Kunia Galdeira.
“It’s gonna be a great festival and I’m looking forward to it,” festival organizer and musician Ben Kaili told the Tribune-Herald on Tuesday.
One of Hilo’s most storied bands, Da Blahlas of Keaukaha, will also play on Sunday. They put out three albums in the late 1970s, including their 1976 self-titled debut which features a cover shot of the band posed on and around an old Jeep in the shadow of the Kamehameha statue in front of the courthouse in downtown Honolulu. Despite their statewide popularity, none of Da Blahlas’ albums have been re-issued on CDs, which makes their vinyl recordings collector’s items.
Two of the band’s members — Abe Keala, who went on to play with the Makaha Sons of Ni‘ihau, and Ku‘ulei Ahuna — have since died. But the legend remains, and the band is now comprised of Clayton Kua, Richard “Piggy” Kaleohano, Bernard Kalua and Randy Ioane. All, except Kalua, still live here. Kalua will fly back for the festival from Oahu, where he’s “played with just about everybody,” said Kaleohano, including some big names, such as Ledward Ka‘apana, Marlene Sai and Karen Keawehawai‘i.
The latest edition of the band have performed a couple of times, opening Na Palapalai’s sold-out concert at the Civic last year, and reclaiming their home turf at the annual Keaukaha Ho‘olaule‘a.
“That was really exciting. It was really fun to play in front of the home crowd,” Kua said. “There were a lot of people who knew us and then there was another generation who had heard of us, but who had never heard us play. And just to be able to share our music with them, that was a real treat.”
Kua said that for Da Blahlas, playing in front of an audience again is “just like riding a bike.”
“We built this camaraderie over the years that we’ve been playing and it just kicks in, the chemistry, whenever we get back together again,” he said. “We’re on it and we’re headin’ in the same direction and it just feels good.”
Added Kaleohano: “Everybody just jumps right in there. It’s just like the old days again.”
Kaili’s connections played a role in getting Da Blahlas on the bill. He’s a former member of the band, as well. Kaili’s current band, Kanakapila, will play on Sunday. He said they’ll also “be performing with the halau and wherever there are spots that need to be filled in.”
In addition, Hoa Hele, a band from Japan, will be here, and Kaili said he’s looking forward to hosting them and hearing them play.
“They really, really respect the Hawaiian culture,” he said of Japanese musicians and hula halau. “It’s been like that since the 60s when Uncle George (Na‘ope) played for (Emperor) Hirohito.”
Tickets for each day of the festival are $5 in advance until July 13, available at the East Hawaii Cultural Center, 141 Kalakaua St. in downtown Hilo. Call 961-5711 for more information. Tickets at the door are $15 each day.
Email John Burnett at
jburnett@hawaiitribune-
herald.com.
