On the Scene with Bla Pahinui

Daniel James “Bla” Pahinui is the second son of ki hoalu (Hawaiian slack-key guitar) legend Gabby Pahinui, and almost certainly the foremost left-handed slack-key guitarist of the 20th century. But he says the music closest to his heart is classic R&B and rock ’n’ roll.

Despite his talent as a musician, Pahinui has spent much of his life working in construction, doing park maintenance for the city and counseling “at risk” youth. Now, at 74, Pahinui is celebrating the release of “Big Knife,” an album of “oldies” recorded with musicians who share his interest in rock, blues and R&B.

JOHN BERGER: You took “oldies” everyone knows and rearranged them in fresh new ways. Where does that interest come from?

BLA PAHINUI: It’s kind of exciting when I create something, take a song and twist it around — like “Linda Lu,” by Ray Sharpe. He did it as rock. I heard it as a love song.

People tell me, “You’re a Hawaiian, act like one,” but I wanted (to) connect with my fans that this is what I do: blues, rock ’n’ roll, doo-wop, this is what I love doing. That’s what this album is all about.

JB: Looking back at your life, is there something you wish you’d learned sooner?

BP: I’m a Hawaiian and I’m proud of that, but the reason I did Hawaiian music was because of my dad. He was my teacher, but I was kind of kolohe (mischievous) and hard head, so I never connected with what it is to play Hawaiian music.

He used to tell me, “One day you’ll get it,” and I got it today. If my dad was still around, I’d be with him playing Hawaiian music his way.

JB: What’s in your future?

BP: I’m looking at retiring from music. What I’d really love to do is get involved with the Humane Society and work with animals and child abuse, but how am I going to leave music?

Of all these years, starting with playing with the Playboys (in Waikiki in the 1960s) and then with Peter Moon and then with my dad and so many guys I played with after that, I never clicked with them like I’m clicking now with rock ’n’ roll.

JB: What was the best advice your parents gave you?

BP: My dad told me, “Don’t be me, be you.” He knew I liked playing rock ’n’ roll even when I was playing Hawaiian.

My mom told me when I got married, “You take care of this woman ’cause Mama not gonna be around, (but) she’ll take care of you,” and my mom was right.

I was searching for something all my life, but with my wife, Kathleen, I found everything. As long as my wife is happy, I’m fine.

JB: Tell us something that might surprise people who know you only as a Hawaiian musician.

BP: I have an Xbox 360, and I just got an Xbox One and I’m playing a game called “Warface.” Climbing the ranks took me almost a year and a half to get where I’m at because I don’t play all day — just in the morning and in the evening — but I have fun and I meet a lot of guys.

“On the Scene” appears weekly in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser Sunday Magazine. Reach John Berger at jberger@staradvertiser.com.