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

Bye Bye Love

Enjoy the music by the Everly Brothers & Makaha Sons

Click here: Bye Bye Love

Click here:Drums of the Island Makaha Sons

Click here: Kawailiula 2013 1st place kahiko

'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.

Kawailiula Photo

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.

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.