B on Hawaii

With great pleasure B on Hawaii has the rare occasion to share wonderful news emanating from the education sector here on the isles. Facts and stats recently haven’t been pleasant—furlough days placing our future generations further and further behind mainland counterparts, budget issues, and the like. So when this little nugget came over the wire, we were glad to share the news. It seems a long-running music program—helmed by the steadfast (and talented) Honoka‘a High School music director Gary Washburn—has been steadily garnering some major national attention.

Once in a great while, some magic happens in this business. That is, in the sharing of great stories with the readership of B on Hawaii. Here’s the latest example: Working on a story for a local publication, we recently caught up with legendary saxophone player, Gabe Baltazar. For those who don’t know: Baltazar was born in Hilo, reared between there and Honolulu, raised through the war torn early half of the 20th Century. His father was a performer; so it was a natural fit when Baltazar began playing for (and rather quickly, with) the biggest names in jazz that passed through Honolulu en route to war arenas to boost the spirits of troops. After being recruited into Stan Kenton’s band and touring the world alongside the likes of Gillespie, Parker and the rest, Baltazar returned home to cultivate the Hawaiian jazz scene.

Any chance we get to write about Lana‘i, we’re more than thrilled to do so. Tickled pink, one of a certain generation might say. On the weekend of January 13 - 15, 2012, the Four Seasons Resorts Lana‘i will host the Lanai Jazz Festival. From the highland climes of the Lodge at Koele, bebop and swing will drift among the kiawe-scented air, while cool licks and walking bass lines will emanate from the shores of Hulopoe and the Manele Bay Resort.

Sammy Hagar, of Van Halen fame (or infamy, depending on which side of the fence you pump your fist), is bestowing a special little New Year's treat on the residents of Alohaland—and eventually the world. It seems "Mr. Tequila" is branching out into the distillation world (after selling his Cabo Wabo tequila brand for a whopping $100 million, yowza),

If you've ever wished that you could immerse yourself with premiere yoga instruction from a variety of teachers from around the globe—all without without spending a fortune on travel—your wish has come true. The annual Hawai‘i Spirit Festival, which takes place on O‘ahu's North Shore from November 4–6, is a three day celebration of yoga, music, movement and Hawaiian Culture.

Sammy Hagar, of Van Halen fame (or infamy, depending on which side of the fence you pump your fist), is headed to Hawai‘i this November to bestow a special little treat on the residents of Alohaland—and eventually the world. It seems "Mr. Tequila" is branching out into the distillation world, this time down rum avenue (like a good pirate). And the fruits of his labor will be only available to Hawai‘i residents for the first few months of production. 

Mixmasters, libation-seekers and anyone with "a little captain in them" should make haste to Kona, where the third annual Don The Beachcomber Mai Tai Festival will unfold at the Royal Kona Resort on August 13, 2011. This ain’t no fluffy fete: The winner of the most succulent concoction will head home with $10,000 in their shaker.

Two-time Grammy Award winning singer (and actor) Tia Carrere and four-time Grammy winning producer-performer Daniel Ho will join professor of Hawaiian language Amy Ku‘uleialoha Stillman for an open forum session on the future of Hawaiian music. The admission is free for this event, to be held at the University of Hawaii on Thursday, April 21, 2011, at 6:00 p.m.

There's really no explaining it; you're driving to work, to the beach, whatever, and a song comes on the radio. There's a drum machine-driven beat. A weird sample you can't quite put your finger on (but it sounds oh-so-like high school, revisited) echoes in the background. Finally, that all-too-familiar synthesizer (it may even be one of those contraptions that straps across the back like a guitar, only, it's not)

Time has arrived again to review the albums selected for this year’s Hawaiian Grammy Award, something that could come in handy this week as you’re looking for the gift of song for the music enthusiast on your list.
First up, and hard to overlook, is Tia Carrere’s follow up album (to her ‘ikena LP that took home last years Grammy), entitled Huana Ke aloha. The album features arrangements and accompaniment by Carrere’s long time pal and collaborator, Daniel Ho.