SATURDAY
>> Remembering the Ka‘au Crater Boys
Troy Fernandez and Ernie Cruz Jr., were already “names” in Palolo Valley when they started playing music together as the Ka‘au Crater Boys in the early 1990s. Cruz had a warm romantic voice and was a talented guitarist. Fernandez was one of the most influential ukulele virtuosos of the decade (Fernandez modestly attributed much of his technique to strong fingers and glue-on acrylic fingernails). Their first album, “Tropical Hawaiian Day,” set Hawaii on fire in 1991.
The duo’s next two albums were back-to-back Hoku Award-winners, but by the time the fourth Ka‘au Crater Boys album came out in 1996 Fernandez was working on a parallel project with two other Palolo Valley musicians. Cruz talked about forming his own parallel group and using both groups in their opening act. Instead, the Ka‘au Crater Boys broke up, playing one reunion concert within a year before breaking up for good.
Fernandez moved to the mainland and raised a family. Cruz died body surfing at Sandy Beach in 2016.
Fernandez returns to Hawaii to celebrate the Boys’ good times together Saturday at Aloha Tower. Fernandez’ daughters, Tory and Tia, multi-Hoku Award-winner Sean Na‘auao and Ten Feet will be joining in the memories and the music-making.
— John Berger, Star-Advertiser
KA’AU CRATER BOYS TRIBUTE CONCERT
With special guest Troy Fernandez
>> Where: Aloha Tower Marketplace
>> When: 5 p.m. Saturday
>> Cost: $30-$75
>> Info: eventbrite.com
SATURDAY-SUNDAY
>> Fresh nostalgia returns with 10,000 Maniacs
Alt-rock band 10,000 Maniacs brings its 30-plus history of touching, tuneful songs to Blue Note Hawaii this week.
Originally from western New York state, 10,000 Maniacs projects a blue-collar personality, with songs like their top hit “Because the Night,” a Patti Smith/Bruce Springsteen song they did with an acoustic accompaniment. They’ve had the fortune of being fronted by two strong female vocalists in succession, first Natalie Merchant, then Mary Ramsey, whose warm viola playing added another dimension to their sound. Bass guitarist Steven Gustafson, keyboardist Dennis Drew, guitarists Jeff Erickson and John Lombardo and drummer Jerome Augustyniak round out the band. While not all are original members, they’ve been playing together for years.
The group was one of the pioneers of alternative rock, with 1987 album “In My Tribe” reaching No. 65 on Rolling Stone Magazine’s list of “100 Best Albums of the Eighties,” with Merchant fronting the group. Ramsey joined in 1993 and has had two stints with the band.
Their live shows have been known to be energetic and somewhat quirky, with a set list that shows the band has a sense of humor. A 2017 concert in Chicago featured a version of the theme song of “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” In 2016 they released the live concert album “Playing Favorites.”
10,000 MANIACS
>> Where: Blue Note Hawaii
>> When: 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
>> Cost: $45-$55
>> Info: 777-4890, bluenotehawaii.com
SATURDAY
>> Summer palace recalls royal history
Enjoy a day of Hawaiian history and entertainment in an atmosphere of royal relaxation at the Day at Queen Emma Summer Palace.
The summer palace, an estate comprising graceful gardens and a small home in Greek Revival style, was inherited by Emma Rooke before she married Alexander Liholiho, who had become Hawaii’s fourth monarch, Kamehameha IV. After their marriage in 1856, the couple spent much of their time at the estate, since the dust and heat of Iolani Palace triggered the king’s asthma. After the king’s death in 1863, Emma, known officially as Queen Consort, continued to live in the home for many years.
The home, named Hanaiakamalama, is filled with artifacts from the era, including gifts and letters from European royalty, vintage furniture, a German-made piano and the crib of Prince Albert, Emma’s beloved son, who died as a toddler in 1862 after a brief, mysterious illness. The grounds include plants that date back to that era.
Saturday’s annual event, which the Daughters of Hawaii has presented for more than 40 years, begins with a blessing and oli starting at 8:45 a.m., followed by food, music and hula. Cultural practitioners will be on hand to demonstrate traditional Native Hawaiian arts such as haku lei making, lauhala weaving, Hawaiian woodwork and kapa-making. Homemade jams and jellies, baked goods and crafts will be on sale.
43RD ANNUAL DAY AT QUEEN EMMA SUMMER PALACE
>> Where: Queen Emma Summer Palace, 2913 Pali Highway
>> When: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday
>> Cost: $1-$7
>> Info: daughtersofhawaii.org
SEPT. 19
>> ‘Five-0’ celebrates 1-0 with ‘Magnum’ in Waikiki
It’s time for McGarrett and Danno and Thomas to hit the streets of Hawaii to chase bad guys again.
Join the gang at Queen’s Surf at Waikiki for the Sunset at the Beach event Sept. 19, where the premiere episodes of the 10th season of “Hawaii Five-0” and the second season of the robooted “Magnum P.I.” will be projected onto a big screen at Waikiki Beach. Expected on the red carpet will be Peter Lenkov, executive producer of both shows, along with Alex O’Loughlin, Scott Caan, Ian Anthony Dale, Meaghan Rath, Beulah Koale, Chi McBride, Kimee Balmilero, Dennis Chun and Taylor Wily, all familiar “Five-0” faces. Fans also will be interested in meeting Katrina Law, a newcomer to the show, playing the character Quinn Lui.
From “Magnum P.I.,” cast members Jay Hernandez, Perdita Weeks, Zachary Knighton, Stephen Hill, Tim Kang and Amy Hill will be on hand.
The red carpet begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by a performance by Train, the pop rock band from the San Francisco Bay Area. The group won two Grammys for its 2002 song “Drops of Jupiter” — and Train’s 2010 Grammy-winning single “Hey, Soul Sister” became a Hawaii sensation when a video of 8-year-old Aidan James performing it to his own ukulele accompaniment went viral, and the group embraced it.
Around 7:45 p.m, on the big screen, you’ll get an early look at how Thomas Magnum deals with the death of ex-wife Hannah (Jordan Brewster), while “Five-0” fans can see which member of the team is targeted by the widow of a terrorist that Steve McGarrett took out. You’ll have a 10-day lead on the rest of the country — these episodes won’t be broadcast until Sept. 27.
SUNSET ON THE BEACH
>> Where: Queen’s Surf Beach
>> When: 5:30 p.m. Sept. 19
>> Cost: Free
