News
The 15th Annual Aloha Series of Hawai’ian Music Kicks Off
May 28 , 2008 Press Release
The annual celebration of Hawai’ian music returns with a new line-up of award-winning and internationally acclaimed musicians and performers. The featured artists will include HAPA, Eddie Kamae & The Sons of Hawai’i, Ho’okena, and other notables. As one of the only venues on the mainland to consistently showcase the arts of the Pacific Islands, the Ruth B. Shannon Center for the Performing Arts invites everyone to relive, or experience for the first time, Hawai’ian culture and music during the 2008-2009 season. Performers typically play two shows at 3 and 8 p.m. in the Ruth B. Shannon Center for the Performing Arts, 6760 Painter Ave., Whittier, CA, Whittier College. Subscription sales are currently available and single ticket sales begin July 16, $35. For more information call (562) 907-4203.
2008
August 23: Eddie Kamae & The Sons of Hawai’i
Singer, musician, composer, and filmmaker Eddie Kamae has been a key figure in the Hawai’ian Cultural Renaissance, which found one of its earliest and strongest voices in The Sons of Hawai’i. This charismatic band formed in the 1960s by Kamae and the legendary singer and guitar virtuoso Gabby Pahinui became known for the authenticity of its feeling and choice of songs, many of which were a result of Kamae’s archival research into long-neglected Hawai’ian melodies and lyrics.
September 27: Leialoha & Mel Amina (Three Scoops of Aloha)
Mel Amina was a member of The Makah Sons of Nihau and performed with the legendary Israel Kamakawiwo’ole. Leialoha and her halau have been a fixture on the podium at the annual Merrie Monarch Festival competition.
Three Scoops of Aloha, consisting of guitarist Amina and bassist Analu Aina, was formed in 1982. Their musical influence is Gabby Pahinui, and their name means "more than enough aloha."
November 1: Ho’okena
Ho’okena has been performing together since 1986 and is one of Hawai’i’s most enduring music groups. Their most recent recording, Cool Elevation, was nominated for a 2005 Grammy Award in the Hawai’ian music category. The group is known for blending intricate arrangements, instrumentation, and new compositions.
December 8: HAPA
HAPA has been hailed as "virtuoso," "masterful," "Hawai’i’s supergroup," and "the sound of Maui." Founded in 1983 by guitarist Barry Flanagan, HAPA is a musical troupe consisting of musicians who play contemporary Hawai’ian music, a traditional Polynesian chanter and hula dancers. Hawai’ian born Nathan Aweau joined the group in 2003 as a guitarist. O’ahu native Charles Ka’upu has been a member of HAPA since 1993.
HAPA has released more than a half-dozen CDs including their latest, Maui, the first to feature Nathan Aweau. Maui was honored with four awards at 29th annual Na Hoku Hanohano Awards including album of the year and contemporary album of the year. Aweau won awards for his solo efforts, Hawai’i Classic Series Vol. 1 Vintage, on which he sang, and Bass Etude.
2009
January 17: The Makaha Sons
Considered to be one of Hawai’i’s premiere musical groups, The Makaha Sons have been performing traditional Hawai'ian music worldwide for more than 30 years. Over the years the line-up has consisted of five members but is currently a trio featuring Louis "moon" Kauakahai on six-string guitar, John Koko on upright acoustic bass, and Jeromo Koko on the 12-string guitar.
April 4: Na Kama & Natalie Ai Kamauu
Award winning Na Kama showcases a unique blend of traditional Hawaiian music with a contemporary touch. Since the late 90s, Na kama has been dedicated to perpetuating Hawaiian music of the past, composing new Hawaiian music for today, and continuing to evolve into the future as one of Hawai'i's most promising and enduring entertainers.
One of Hawai'i's best kept secrets, Natalie Ai Kamauu, proves she is no stranger to Hawaiian music. Kamauu started turning heads when she was just a teenager, singing alongside her father, Howard Ai, for Halau Hula Olana. It wasn't long before she began stealing the show. Although she garnered the coveted title Miss Aloha Hula, it was her angelic voice that really caught people's attention. Natalie has performed at the Shannon Center with the Makaha Sons and with Aaron Sala.
May 23: The Brother Cazimero
The Brothers Cazimero burst onto the Hawai’ian music scene along with the resurgence in popularity of native culture in the islands in the 1970s. Considered masters of their craft, The Brothers Cazimero merge the past and present with their renditions of chants, dances and songs of the native Hawai’ians.
The group consists of Robert, bassist, and Roland who plays guitar. Together they have released more than 30 recordings, including the Grammy-nominated album, Some Call It Aloha...Don't Tell. The duo has brought the sounds and culture of Hawai’i to sellout audiences worldwide.
Founded by Quakers in 1887, Whittier College is an independent, four-year college offering a traditional liberal arts program integrated with both professional and pre-professional courses of study. With an emphasis on diversity, community, and curricular innovation, the College’s primary mission is to endow students with the education, skills, and values appropriate for global leadership and service. Whittier College is a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI).
Whittier Law School, which is accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools, is located on a separate campus in Orange County.
