Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Na Hoku Hanohano Nomination



Aloha!
先日InterFM “@iHeart_Hawaii” にもゲストとして登場した、クムフラでミュージシャン、そしてこのイベントにも出演するカヴェナ・アンソニー・マン (Kawena Anthony Mann) さんがこのイベントにメッセージを寄せてくれました!!!
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-ハワイの音楽と人々の関係
ハワイの人々はあらゆるジャンルの音楽が大好きです:レゲエ、ジャズ、スウィング、フュージョン、ブルーズ、カントリーなどなど。それに加えて、ハワイはいろんな民族が混在しているため、日本、プエルトリコ、中国やタヒチな ど、多種多様な音楽を楽しむ機会にも恵まれています。ハワイのミュージシャン達はこのような影響を受けてハワイアン・コンテンポラリーの素晴らしい音楽を生み出しています。
-ハワイの音楽、フラ、そしてハワイの文化の関係
音楽はフラの伝統に欠かせないもの。音楽と言えば、管楽器や弦楽器を思い浮かべる人も多いかと思います。しかし、パーカッションも大切な要素のひとつです。フラには多くの打楽器が用いられています:プイリ(竹を割ったもの)、プニウ(ココナッツでできた小さなドラム)、パフ(大きなココナッツのドラム)、イプとイプ・ヘケ (ヒョウタンのドラム)、イリイリ(小石)、パパ・へヒ(足のペダルがついたボード)、ウリウリ(羽根のガラガラ)。
このようなハワイのバーカッションはフラの踊りとピッタリのあわせることが要求されます。フラのもう一つの大切な要素は歌詞、または詩です。例えば、ダンサーが穏やかな海の上に輝く月を表現する時、歌詞が歌われなければフラとしては成り立ちません。フラの音楽の大きな目的は歴史、そして家系を伝え続けることです。西洋の世界では歴史を本から学びます。しかし、フラを学ぶ人たちは 今日でも歴史のことなどは音楽の歌詞やフラの踊りから学ぶのです。
- ナ・ホク・ハノハノ・アワードの思い出、そしてこれからに対する期待
ハワイでは、ハワイの最高のミュージシャンをナ・ホク・ハノハノ・アワードの中継で観ることができます。ハワイの最高のアーティストを見られるだけでなく、ジャズ、クリスチャン、ロック、レゲエ、ヒップホップ、R&B、スラックキーのジャンルの音楽もお楽しみいただけます。私が特に注目しているカテゴリーは:ベスト男性アーティスト、ベスト女性アーティスト、ベスト・グループ、そしてハクメレ(ハワイ語で書かれた曲)です。
(もしミュージシャンとしてどのカテゴリーかを受賞できるとするなら)ハクメレ、ハワイ語で書かれた曲に対するカテゴリーで受賞してみたいです。わたしのティーチャーであり、ハクメレのマスターでもあるロエア・フランク・カワイカプオカラニ・ヒュエットの思いとつながると感じることでしょう。ヒュエットによるカピリナはハクメレを受賞した曲なのです。
カヴェナさんオフィシャルサイト
:http://www.hulalei.com/index.html?member_id=000000000001
********以下英語原文******************************************
- Relationship between the people and the music of Hawaii 
People of Hawaii love all genres of music, such as: reggae, jazz, swing, fusion, blues, country, etc. In addition, because of Hawaii’s mixed ethnic population, Hawaii islanders also have a deep appreciation for ethnic music whether it be from from Japan, Puerto Rico, China, Tahiti etc. without a doubt Hawaii’s people and their exposure to music is vast. It is with these influences Hawaiian musical artists create wonderful island music in the Hawaiian contemporary category.
- Relationship between music, hula and the Hawaiian culture 
Music is vital to hula tradition. When some people think of music, perhaps it’s done with a wind instrument or stringed instrument. But music also embraces percussions. In hula there are many many percussive instruments such as: puili (split bamboo), puniu (small coconut drum), pahu (large coconut drum), ipu and ipu heke (gourd drum), iliili (pebbles), papa hehi (foot pedal board), uliuli ( feather rattle). Using all of these Hawaiian percussion instruments require excellent timing while accompanying the hula dance. Another important part of hula is lyrics or poetry. For example, when the dancer gestures a shiny moon rising above the calm ocean, hula would NOT be hula if there were no words chanted or sung for the dancer to follow. With hula, there is a greater purpose for music and that purpose is for the perpetuation of history, and geneology. Western world we learn about our history from books. But still today, those that are doing hula learn many historical things through the music poetry and dance from hula.
Expectations of Na Hoku Hanohano award or memories When you see the Na Hoku Hanohano awards show which is broadcasted LIVE throughout Hawaii island, you are surely seeing the best musician from all over Hawaii. Not only are you seeing who the best Hawaiian artist or artists, but you get to see you is excelling in other genres of music such as Jazz, Christian, Rock, Reggae, Hip Hop, R & B, Slcak Key. The categories that I always like to keep an eye out for are: Male Artist of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Group of the Year and Haku Mele (song written in Hawaiian language).
- As a musician, if you can win one Hoku, which one do you want? 
As a musician, I’d love to win Haku Mele award, song written in the Hawaiian language. I feel it would bring me full circle with my teacher who is the master of haku mele, Loea Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewett. Kapilina by Hewett is one example of an Haku Mele awarded song.

Thursday, October 23, 2014

From Hikari

It's been awhile since my last blog here.  I don't blog much as most of my everyday movement and happenings are posted to Facebook.  If you have followed my Facebook then you'd know that I am busy doing many things such as hula, music, lei, and crafts.  I also enjoy my time cooking for family, guest and students.  I really believe in preparing delicious and healthy meals in order to keep us strong of mind and spirit for everyday challenges.   Besides physical exercise, eating healthy foods,  another important thing is to smile and incorporate laughter into your daily routine.  Until next time... Li
ve well.  Aloha Kawena

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Hawaiian Rock Dream Zushi Vol. 1

Hangover!  Not from drinking but from having a nice time with Japanese musician friends and my students.  Mahalo to Kay and Seigo of LAUOLAIKE and Vance K for planning this concert.   



Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Thriller at Roppongi

Tonight I received an invitation to see Thriller LIVE at the Blue Theatre in Roppongi Tokyo.  I entered the hall with a little skeptism wondering if this show could possibly live up to the legend/myth Michael Jackson.   After only a few songs into the peformance I was swept away and fully bought in to what all these young performers had to share.  Each dancer and singer which totaled around 15 were awesome.   Each had their own personality and character.  Each were talented beyond belief.  But what I loved about the performers were their outward exuberance of love, dignity and kindness.  These traits were quite visible and the audience could easily connect with each and everyone one of them.  To see their smile and watch their hearts in song and dance showed not only their professionalism but more importantly perhaps their greater respect for the legend himself Michael.  I would highly encourage everyone to see this performance to support the performing arts.  In the show there is a young Michael he was very charming and quite an excellent performer too.  Me ke aloha Hikari.

Monday, April 21, 2014

Fuji TV April 21,2014

昨日 ふじ テレビ の 日 ハウマナ と たのしかった です。 海に フラ おどりました、 たいこ 人 も えんそうしました。その あと じびきあみ から 生しらす いっぱい くれました。 今朝 しらすを なんかい  あらった。 この オムレツ りょうり しました。 マハロ ヌイ ロア Uncle (Kumu) Michael Delacruz and halau, Junko Tamura Sensei and Halau, Kuhai Halau O Ka Pua O Ka Naupaka and Anapanapa Wai O Puolena. メケアロハ イア オウコウ。。。カヴェナ

Friday, April 4, 2014

Hula Lei カヴェナ マン フラレイ



It's been six year now living here in Japan.  Teaching hula in Japan has it's ups and downs to be very honest.  Everyday I thank God for this chance to teach hula and Hawaiian culture here in Japan. I have amazing relationships with students, teachers and others that purely love Hawaii.   

With the new year nearly one-third finished,  I've kept busy planning a concert in July, organizing a trip with my students and recording a new cd.     Eveything is coming along great.

This photo below was taken during my weekly lesson at Enoshima.  At ENOSPA, they have an excellent medical program whereby I get to teach their clients hula.  Our lesson studio always overlooks Sagami Bay and Mount Fuji. After our lesson,  there is a natural hot spring (Onsen) that is part of the facilities too.

This is it for now please visit my website.  Me Ke aloha Kawena
http://www.hulalei.com



Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Sad songs!

Today, is October 3rd and Hoike is this weekend on Sunday.  I am quite excited as well as all of our students.  Everyone is making their lei, preparing their costumes and practicing hard.  My lei are done, and I feel like I have landed a little.  Just have some final practices then show time.  Hawaiian guests will arrive tomorrow.  Loea and Ula Hewett are on the rock and maybe just as excited as us to get this thing going.

For this blog I wanted to step away from  the hussle that has basically taken over my life these past months getting ready for the Big One. As always before going to sleep, I practice with my guitar from about 12:00 to 1:00 AM.  I feel sorry for my next door neighbor's children,  I try to practice quietly.  Well last night, a little inspiration came and I wrote a sad song.    And, I was ecstatic both yesterday and today.  Why could anyone be happy about a sad song?  I dont know!  Maybe from life we just have to be happy and make  the best of what we are given.  

Here are the lyrics...Aloha HIkari.


Kawena Mann
October 2, 2013

I wrote my first sad song.  The reason why I wrote this song was because the day before while jogging I was listening to all this country music with some really sad stories that didn't make you sad it just made you chuckle or laugh inside.  This song was just a little creation piece I did before going to bed.    In this song its similar to those country songs that I  listened too with sad stories, but maybe my purpose for this song is satirical. There some definite truth in this song but in life and through living our lives there is lots of joy and happiness too.   


Why are you sitting
So far away from me?
Is it because 2-days ago we fought
Looking back to why we act this way
Maybe its because we’ve grown apart

            When I recall our earlier days
            we were happy
            Singing a song beside a waterfall
            Dreaming a dream together forever
            Living our lives together as one

Now when we are home
we hardly talk
Laughing like before is rare
Our eyes never meet there either here or there
Our lips dry from the cold air

            Chorus

You love the moon I like the sun
Mornings I wake up late , to find your gone
Day to day,  gets harder and harder to  live this way
To love one another with pure hearts.



Sunday, September 22, 2013

Aloha Kakahiaka

Today is another nice day here in Japan. The past two days I have been in Chiba doing music for two of my friends that have their own halau.  Kumu KAMALANI Kia had his hoike in Funabashi and Lee Sensei held her hoike in Chiba Chuo.  I think both concerts had a very nice warm and tender feeling.  Last night was truly special because I could share the stage with our teacher Loea Kawaikapu Hewett.  

Music performance is still new for me.  Trying to achieve an ambient sound; trying to connect with an audience; being able to perform naturally is still hard for me.  However, one basic thing that I've learned to do was to do all things with love and respect and also to include and acknowledge God.  These things I hold in my heart all the time and helps to settle me.

Soon I will be returning home to Kugenuma Kaigan,  but there's more work awaiting me. I think everything will be ok though.  I just approach each piece of work slowly and it will get done.  Later I will share some of my photos from today's happenings.

God bless you all back at home and abroad.  To my Japanese haumana/Ohana have a nice holiday today.  It's windy!

Aloha HIkari




Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Hoike Hula Aloha

Hoike Hula Aloha is near, October 6, 2013 at Kamakura Geijutsukan.  Everyone has been practicing hard, sewing costumes, ordering leis, leaves and flower.   We have invited many of our friends and hula sensei to enjoy our special day with us.  We have made preparations to bring our teacher Loea Hewett and his daughter Ula Hewett from Hawaii as well as Pu'ukapu band (Sonny Lim, Wailau Ryder and Kevin Kealoha).   I think all of our students are very excited.  I hope they can enjoy themselves and not be overwhelmed with their kuleana.  Regarding my blog, I am really sorry I cannot keep the events page up to date.  But with little information when I can provide it, I truly hope I can see and meet you (my internet friend, Facebook friend or other acquaintance).  God bless you all...HIkari.

Monday, August 19, 2013

Air Supply


I feel my Air Supply was super charged from tonight's performance.  The Blue Note in Tokyo is  always a great venue for intimate concerts featuring famous musicians.  
Tonight the Air Supply concert was no different.  AS was so generous, kind and thoughtful while sharing their greatest hits like: All out of Love, Making Love Out of Nothing at All , Even the Nights Are Better, and others.  What an experience it was.  Enjoy the video!
http://youtu.be/-Dx8KDxHv1o

Oh by the way, Russell Hitchcock shook my hand and he kissed Emma Lei's hand.   

Me ke aloha HIkari and Ipo

Monday, August 5, 2013

Coming up for a breath of air now!

Wow, been away from this blog for quite a long time now.  Maybe if you have been following me on my Facebook page, you could see a lot has been happening: danced with Lehua Tomoko Sensei and our kane at Aloha Yokohama, danced with Kamakakehau Fernandez at Aloha Yokohama, went to Morioka with my kane students for Big Mahalo concert,  went to Ikaho and participated in the exhibition their with my Anapanapa students and joined the Hiratsuka concert last evening again with my Anapanapa students.  

For me the best thing about being busy is that I get to meet many people.  Its always quite a pleasure to reconnect  and to make new acquantances. 

Anyway, maybe I have one day to settle down tomorrow which is Tuesday my normal day off.  I will try to do nothing and really enjoy the day. Ooops I forgot I have band practice in the morning.  Ok after that, I will try try not to do anything.

Here are a few pictures of my students and I at Ikaho.  We were so happy to see Kumu Chinky and  halau Kawailiula.   Me ke aloha always HIkari.






Sunday, May 26, 2013

A few days ago, my brother Poki'i and his daughter came to visit me for a week.  I am enjoying spending time with them.  During the past two days we've been site seeing around my home area and Kamakura.  It's been great seeing different shrines and seeing the 大 ぶつ at Kamakura.  As a side note, yesterday our halau performed twice: Enoshima and Fujisawa.  We enjoyed both performances  because always get to see many friends.  Here are a few photos from these past few days. Aloha  HIkari.


アロハ ふじさわ

アロハ まこ and トム

お金 あらいました



大 ぶつ



Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Bye Bye Love

Enjoy the music by the Everly Brothers & Makaha Sons

Click here: Bye Bye Love



'Bye Bye Love'...I can finally say this after months spent working on these puniu.  This project could have been completed much faster had I not been preoccupied with other things.  Everyday for two months, I looked at these cuties stationed by my window.  Well, that's all behind me now.  It's time to go and bang on them and play them loudly...Lets go wake up the neighbors with the sounds of hula drums.   I am just saying of course I will not do these things.  We have to MALAMA.  
I Got it! =(


Enjoy the photos and the captions.

Congratulations Kumu Chinky Mahoe and the kane of Kawaili'ula.


Erisa Ipo working as an MC for Enoshima Hula event.  I  was multitasking by keeping her company and working on my puniu.

Here I am lashing the skin to the drum.  By the way, I make these drums exactly like my teacher's.  Uncle Buddy from Laie.

More tying!   This process is quite fun because within me is anticipation that the process of making these drums will be completed soon. 




There in front are ka made from lauhala.   One thing we learn from doing hula crafts is conservation.
The lauhala I used were from scrap pieces that I saved from doing lauhala bracelets, book covers and fans.

Here I am adding the cord to the base of the puniu.  The cord is used to secure the drum to the dancers knee.  This cord that I had bought, looks very natural.  When I bought this cord, I was very happy because it was inexpensive.
 I think this bunch was 180 円。やすいだった。
The puniu are packed up in a nice carrying bag.  They are all pretty. Anxiously, I am looking forward to giving them to my students.

Ha'ina pau photo next to the window that went
from winter cold to summer hot. No more will you have to rest here my friends.  Go and be with your rightful owner!

Aloha Masa from 801Table I am looking forward to doing another live at your restaurant June 29. In the meantime, my friends, check him out at Enoshima for some ono malasadas. 

Enoshima has some ono beer.

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Golden Week PAU!


Enjoy the music of Clay Aiken
See Kishimoto Kyouichi blog

Today is the last day of Golden Week and up until yesterday, it has been quite an adventure.  There are so many people that I am appreciative for, they include: Yonezawa, Jun Nakano, Ryoji Soranaka,  Yumiko Sensei & Miwa, Kishi & Ikuko, and last but not least Sekino (Hula Hawaii).  

This year, there were so many nice opportunities to share my music and hula with many people here in Japan.  I would not have been able to do so without all these people mentioned above.  

I also have a deep appreciation for our students Naupaka and Anapanapa.  You all hung in there with us and did well to represent our halau(s). Mahalo.

To all my friends and family, I wish your days and weeks were as happy.  May you always be blessed too.  

Me ke aloha HIkari.


Here are a few of my photos to recaps the week of hula, music we all had.  
Me dancing with Utsunomiya Band at Hiratsuka.  Kaneohe Good Guys :Yuji, Yutaka and Higuchi.

Anapanapa Ohana in the forest.

Kawena Keiki dancers.


Hiratsuka Hula Garden with Izumi and mele hula.

Hiratsuka Hula Garden doing music with Kishi.  Hula by our students.

Kishi and I started the music in the forest.  Was very nice and cozy. All of our students, families and friends enjoyed!
Lei Kiele by Anapanapa

Nice community show with our students.

This student is so sweet.  Just like all the other keiki.

Erisa Kumu and her students Pua Mokihana (Odaiba).
Very nice dance Ipo!

Anapanapa students came to support Erisa and I at Odaiba Hula Stage.

Another nice photo of Erisa Kumu doing her hula. Odaiba

Kishi and I went to Gunma (Jyomokogen).
There they have a beautiful castle. When I have more time I would like to go back with Ipo and do more site seeing.
Mahalo Miwa 

Anapanapa and I at Disney Ikspiari.
I am appreciative for our Alakai Sayako to help organize this event for us.

Mahalo Ryoji Soranaka.  You organized a wonderful show (Harumi Spring Kanikapila) with some
great musicians.  All of my students enjoyed the hula portion then the great concert afterwards. Looking forward to next September stage.

Harumi Spring Kanikapila

Me dancing Mahinahina a song written by Nathan Aweau.
 It was a very nice experience to dance to his music again.  It was even a greater experience
to sing Kuulei Awapuhi with him too. Mahalo N8

Here is Kishi!  He and I was stuck together this entire Golden Week.  Kishi is a kind gentleman and wonderful musician.  I always pray for his success and hope more people can know more of his talents as a guitarist and
a sound/recording engineer. 

Mahalo to Holi Sensei.  I enjoyed doing the music for Kana at Yokohama Bay Quarter.  Its always nice to see you.
This is Yukiko Sensei and her students along with
Kana from Tiare  Hula Group.  Aloha to Yukiko Sensei, students: Akiko(Miss Hula Hawaii) , Tomoko, Kaori and Kana(Miss Hula Hawaii Keiki).  
Me and Asayo.  Asayo's smile helped me out during my
Yokohama Bay Quarter performance.  Mahalo Asayo.