Kaʻū News Briefs May 27, 2024

 

Kaʻū's own Makana Kamahele will emcee Kaʻū Coffee Festival's Ho'olaulea on Saturday, June 8, along with
another native son Kurt Dela Cruz from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Photo from HVNP

KU'UIPO KUMUKAHI, DARLENE AHUNA AND VICTOR CHOCK WILL join the entertainment

Ku'uipo Kumukahi

lineup at Kaʻū Coffee Festival Ho'olaule'a on Saturday, June 8 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the grounds of Pāhala Community Center. Emcees will be Makana Kamahele and Kurt Dela Cruz. Talent will include Demetrius Oliveira & Gene Beck, Halau Hula O Leonalani, Puna Taiko, Pāhala Hongwanji Taiko, Vasayan Danc Club of Hilo and Latino Duo.
    Ku'uipo Kumukahi is called "The Darling of Hawaiian Music." A native of Hawai'i Island who grew up on family lands north of Hilo, she is a cultural practitioner whose father was as a native Hawaiian speaker. She is noted for her skill in slack key guitar and her soothing voice. She has won numerous Na Hoku Hanohana awards.    

    She is a cofounder of The Hawaiian Music Perpetuation Society. Kumukahi's most famous songs include Kumukahi, 'Ainahau, Hawai'i, Pono'i, Koni Au I Ka Wai and Ka Lehua I Milia.
    Darlene Ahuna is famous for her falsetto renditions of traditional Hawaiian, hula and hapa-haole standards. Bestowed with numerous

Darlene Ahuna

Na Hoku Hanohano awards for her vocals, Ahuna has performed many times at Merrie Monarch Festival and has represented the island of Hawai`i while entrancing audiences in Japan and across the U.S. mainland. She has performed in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park's Heavenly Voices series.
    Her most famous songs include Ka Uluwehi O Ke Kai, Blue Hawai'i/ Sweet Leilani, Akaka Falls and Papalina Lahilahi.
    Victor Chock has been called "one of Hawai'i's great musical treasures who is equally at home on 'ukulele and slack key guitar." He has played and taught Hawaiian music at the Seattle Slack Key Festival, Gabby Pahinui Waimanalo Kanikapila, for Destination Hilo, Hilo Hula Tuesdays and many other venues.

    Demetrius Oliveira and Gene Beck are native sons of Kaʻū and have been long identified with the band Keaiwa with roots going back to the band named Kaʻū. Oliveira grew up in a family of Hawaiian music, dance, religion and culture. 

Kurt Dela Cruz

Victor Chock

  Oliveira and Beck often accompany Kumu Debbie Ryder's Halau Hula O Leionalani, which teaches and acts as Kaʻū's ambassador of hula and Hawaiian music when they travel to Merrie Monarch, performances in Japan and Mexico, and other places. They are also regulars at many events around this island.
    Kurt Dela Cruz is another son of Kaʻū, well known for his humor and inspirational speaking. He serves on the University of Hawai'i's faculty in its Division of Student Affairs as a Senior Advisor, Career & Academic Affairs. He remains heavily involved with  life in Kaʻū with storytelling about growing up here, the plantation days and encouraging everyone to stay involved in guiding and the crafting the future of this place. He is also a musician.

    Makana Kamahele, whose parents live in Kaʻū, has been a radio personality for KAPA and The Beat. He is also a musician. He is well known for serving as emcee and. playing music at many venues throughout the state.

Gene Beck and Demetrius Oliveira.

    The Ho'olaule'a on Saturday, June 8 will be the grand finale of the Ka'ū Coffee Festival. It is planned as a full day of fun and celebration, coffee tasting and interaction with Ka'ū Coffee farmers on the grounds of Pāhala Community Center.
    In addition to the live music, enjoy hula, local food and crafts, keiki activities, educational displays, guided coffee tastings and farm and mill tours. Talk story with Ka'ū Coffee growers and learn more about their passion and dedication. Within Pāhala Community Center, The Ka'ū Coffee Experience will offer Ka'ū Coffees prepared with a variety of brewing methods by professional baristas from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Taste the difference and discover a favorite Ka'ū Coffee.
    See more on the full week of Kaʻū Coffee Festival activities that begin Saturday, June 1 at www.kaucoffeefestival.com.

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Malama Kai Foundation's Reef Talk on Friday, May 30 will be live streamed on
YouTube channel@malamakai. This is a free event, but donations are always welcome.
 Contact Kater Hiney, Malama Kai Foundation, Reef Talks Coordinator, for more information
 at kateralisha@gmail.com,