SATURDAY
Isle kanikapila to draw dozens of top musicians
Take a moment this weekend to celebrate Gabby Pahinui, whose sweet guitar playing and distinctive voice embodied the soul of Hawaii for generations.
Better yet, take an entire day and head over to the ninth annual Gabby Pahinui Waimanalo Kanikapila. Dozens of Hawaii’s top musicians and hula dancers, including slack-key guitarists George Kuo and Jerry Santos, steel guitarist Greg Sardinha and members of the Keawe Ohana, are scheduled to perform.
“It’s as extensive a list as ever,” said Chelle Pahinui, wife of Cyril Pahinui, who has been helping organize the event while her husband recovers from major lung surgery. Cyril Pahinui, Gabby Pahinui’s son and a master slack key artist himself, has spearheaded the event.
With some luck, Cyril Pahinui might be in attendance for part of the day. After undergoing a procedure new to Hawaii in March, he is out of intensive care and is “pretty much on the mend,” his wife said. He was even able to sing through a mechanical device shortly after his surgery, surprising his doctors, she said.
The kanikapila recalls the jam sessions that Gabby Pahinui held back in the 1950s and throughout the ’60s and ’70s, when as many as 100 musicians and fans would visit his Waimanalo home on weekends to enjoy music. The Pahinui family has resurrected the free event; T-shirts sales raise funds for a program that has provided instruments and lessons at Waimanalo schools.
Where: Waimanalo Beach Park
When: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday
Cost: Free
Info: gabbypahinui.com
FRIDAY
Renowned erhu artist to play at HPU
The haunting sound of the erhu, a two-string Chinese instrument sometimes described as a Chinese violin or Chinese fiddle, will add an international ambience to the evening when Hawaii Pacific University presents its 14th Annual Spring Concert today at St. Andrews Cathedral.
Erhu virtuoso Tsun-Hui Hung appears as a special guest in a program that also includes the HPU Symphony conducted by Teresa McCreary, and the HPU Chorale and HPU International Vocal Ensemble, both conducted by Jeremy M. Wong.
Hung, born and raised in Taiwan, began playing the two-string instrument when she was 6 and attended a school for musically gifted children. She jokes about getting stuck with erhu because other kids had already claimed the instruments that are traditionally considered “feminine” or “elite,” but adds that the little instrument quickly became part of her life. “It has always been my best companion through life’s ups and downs,” she says.
She has played with the Taipei Symphony Orchestra and the National Chinese Opera Company, earned the “Outstanding Artist” award at the National Erhu Competition in Taiwan in 2002, and entertained as a soloist or with small groups of musicians in the United States, China, South Korea, Japan and Turkey.
Where: Cathedral of Saint Andrew, 229 Queen Emma Square
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Admission: Free
Info: hpu.org
— John Berger
SATURDAY
The Waikiki Aquarium will host a free, environmental event
Celebrate Earth Day at the Waikiki Aquarium’s annual Mauka to Makai Environmental Expo, a family-friendly event highlighting efforts to protect the land and waters of Hawaii.
The exposition offers entertainment with environmental themes, said aquarium events coordinator Raina Fujitani. “It’s a statement that we need to bring awareness to keep oceans and waterways clean from the mountain to the sea.”
Participants can take part in a fish release and enjoy the “Journey Home,” a puppet show about an oopu, the fish that inhabits Hawaii’s mountain streams, and its journey from its home waters to the ocean and back. The oopu “keeps the streams clean,” Fujitani said.
Other programs include a giveaway of native Hawaiian plants — “they always run out pretty quickly,” Fujitani said — and performances by a keiki hula group. Guests can also visit the aquarium, with free admission during the event. The aquarium recently opened a seahorse and pipefish display.
Parking will be available at Waikiki Elementary School, with a shuttle to the aquarium.
Where: Waikiki Aquarium
When: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday
Cost: Free
Info: waikikiaquarium.org
— Steven Mark
SATURDAY
Festival promotes isle culture
The voice of thousands will be lifted in song for Hawaii at today’s Mana Mele Festival.
The festival will premiere “Hawaii Aloha 2016,” a video featuring 40 high-profile artists and 1,000 youth filmed in 27 locations around the islands, all singing together, their voices blended through the wonders of modern technology. The video is a collaboration with Playing for Change (playingforchange.com), “a movement created to inspire and connect the world through music.”
“You have Liko Martin at Hanalei pier. You have Kuana Torres in front of a mural in Kakaako. You have three Niihau youths being featured. The list goes on and on,” said Keola Nakanishi, director of festival sponsor Mana Maoli. “It’s pretty powerful.”
The video was partly created through the use of the Mana Maoli’s solar-powered mobile video studio, which will be open to the public for demos. The festival marks the end of a $50,000 Kickstarter campaign by Mana Maoli, supporting video production and music education on wheels. The nonprofit also supports Halau Ku Mana, a charter school emphasizing Native Hawaiian culture, and its Maoli Music education program.
There will be plenty of live music, too. Though his presence is not guaranteed, Jack Johnson, a big supporter of Mana Maoli’s music program, has dropped by at previous festivals. Paula Fuga, John Cruz, Brother Noland, Kimie, Taimane, Irie Love, Malani Bilyeu of Kalapana, Ledward Kaapana, pictured, and Mike Love all are scheduled to perform a set, while many others are expected to perform a song or two, Nakanishi said.
Don’t forget the food: Street Grindz’s food trucks provide some of Honolulu’s most innovative fare.
Where: Makers & Tasters, 1011 Ala Moana Blvd. (former site of Fisherman’s Wharf)
When: 5 p.m. today; gates at 4
Cost: $10 donation
Info: manamele.org or 295-6262
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TICKER: Grammy-nominated DJ Morgan Page brings his synthesized tunes to The Republik, 9 p.m. Saturday; $30-$35, flavorus.com or 855-235-2867.
