Sat. afternoon June 3, 2006, was an absolutely beautiful day and the CD Release Party was scheduled in the afternoon from 3:30 – 5:30. I got to the Hanalei Bay Resort around 2:15 to help set up the sound system. Dolly Kanekuni was there, one of the lead singers on the CD. She had already set up the sound system by herself because her husband, Steve, who was supposed to do the sound, was not feeling well and wasn’t able to do it.
Here‘s Dolly testing out one of the microphones. She was calm about it all while I was a little nervous. More musicians arrived for a sound check - Manulele, Mike Smith, Michael Locey, and Saich Jarvis. Madeleine Brandli arrived with her harp and I helped her get it out of her station wagon and bring it in to the stage area.
I decided to stop worrying about anything that could go wrong and from that moment felt calm and happy.
photo by David Watkins
The party began and people started coming in.
Carol Yotsuda brought me a beautiful lei made from flowers taken from a jade tree in her front yard. Other people brought me leis also – giving leis is an Hawaiian custom that is so beautiful – I felt extremely happy to receive such beautiful leis and also to have the experience of giving leis at the party as an expression of my gratitude to those present who participated in making the CD and performing at the party!
photo by David Watkins
Had a chance to sit down for a few minutes with my friends Sabra Kauka and Manulele – Sabra is one of the leaders in my hula halau and teaches Hawaiian Studies and Manulele is one of the lead singers on the CD. When I was first started to record songs a few years ago Manulele helped me with various suggestions – for instance, she suggested using a bossa nova rhythm for I Love You Dear which turned out really well. We were sitting on the beach at Anahola when she made that suggestion – one of the beautiful spots of this world.
photo by Anne E. O'Malley
Here I am warming up for the program. One of the reasons I chose the Hanalei Bay Resort in Princeville for the party is that the Happy Talk Lounge is open on 4 sides – you can see Hanalei Bay and the mountains surrounding it from one side and the ocean from another side - the openness gives a certain atmosphere to the space that I find attractive.
photo by David Watkins
photo by David Watkins
The program started off with an Hawaiian chant (in Hawaiian) by Mauli Cook on the right and Sabra Kauka on the left. The chant praised the beauty of the place. Mauli teaches hula at my halau, Papa Laua’e ‘o Makana (English translation = Class of the laua’e fern of Makana) – she gives overall direction to the halau which is under the guidance of Victoria Holt Takamine (our kumu hula who lives on the island of Oahu). Sabra Kauka is on the left and also provides direction and meaning to the group. I feel extremely grateful for their presence in my life. It’s hard for me not to say that they are the best! At present I’m trying to discipline myself not to make judgments and it’s only hard not to make judgments when I want to say something positive like – they are the best! Somehow, in spite of my discipline, I’ve managed to say it twice!
After the opening chant and a blessing given by Sabra, I welcomed the guests and, as a gesture of gratitude, gave out fragrant leis made of tuberose to those who were on the CD or were performing that day, including members of the halau. The leis were presented by members of the halau.
Lead singer Manulele received a lei from Karuna Thal.
photo by David Watkins
Guitarist Mike Smith received a lei from Delton Johnson.
photo by David Watkins
My friend Merilyn Liggett, who helped with CD sales, received a head lei from Karuna.
photo by David Watkins
Performer Michael Locey received a lei from Nance Overton.
photo by David Watkins
Acoustic bass player Trey Thompson received a lei.
photo by David Watkins
Here we are, about to begin the show, with our leis: Dolly Kanekuni, Michael Locey, Bruce Lumsden, Saich Jarvis, Sabra Kauka, Mauli Cook, Manulele, and me.
photo by Lowell Strombeck
The program began with 4 Hawaiian songs sung in Hawaiian by Manulele and danced by the halau. The songs were Makee Ailana, Wahine Ilikea, Ka Ua Loku and Manu O’o. Sabra sang beautiful harmonies and some of the halau musicians – Michael, Bruce, Saich and myself – accompanied the songs.
photo by David Watkins
The first song from the CD was Beautiful Child, sung by Manulele. I love this song and originally was going to name the CD Beautiful Child. But then I reflected that that title might be misleading as the songs are not about children, they are about finding love. So that Walking Home seemed like the best title for the CD.
photo by David Watkins
The second song from the CD was I Love You Dear – this was a killer version! Mike Smith did some amazing bossa nova rhythms and chords on the guitar and Manulele sang her heart out.
photo by David Watkins
photo by David Watkins
Higher Sounds was the next CD song on the program. Lead singer Madeleine Brandli brought her harp and played a harp accompaniment (the CD has a piano accompaniment). I was absolutely thrilled to hear the lovely sounds of the harp as Madeleine’s voice soared into the heavens. Would love to record this new version some time in the future. Thank you Madeleine!
photo by David Watkins
Dolly Kanekuni sang Blessings of Love and also the last number, “Walking Home.” Dolly, as well as being a wonderful professional singer, teaches voice (the Seth Riggs Method) and she’s been my voice teacher for a few years now. I’ve talked to her about the CD as it has unfolded and she’s been a major support. Thanks Dolly!
photo by David Watkins
Early on, knowing Mauli Cook’s extreme creativity, I asked her to choreograph and perform a dance to the title song, Walking Home. She gathered a group from the halau which she called the Kalihiwai Hula Babes aka the Fabulous Frolicking Ferns and they rocked the place. It was breathtaking! It brought down the house! Thank you Mauli!
photo by Anne E. O'Malley
photo by Lowell Strombeck
After the program I had a chance to talk to a few people and say aloha. Here are a few of my favorite photos:
Saying goodbye to Fran – Laurel is to the right with her back to the camera.
photo by David Watkins
Here I am talking to my friend Suzanne Stover, a Unity minister who lives on the island with her husband Ron – Mauli is behind us. This photo shows the view from one side of the Happy Talk Lounge – that’s Hanalei Bay in the background. One of the songs on the CD is called “Hanalei Bay” and expresses my deep love for and feeling of connectedness to the bay.
photo by David Watkins
Saying goodbye to Mike Smith!
photo by David Watkins
Hey! I had a really good time at the party. So many heartfelt thanks to those who were there to celebrate with me and, if you weren’t there, wish you had been! Here’s a photo that expresses the way I felt:
One last thing – the jacket I’m wearing was made for me by my sister Eleanor. The party was originally scheduled for Sat. March 18 but due to torrential rains and the breaking of Ka Loko Dam in Kilauea which closed the main road for a while and caused deaths, the party was rescheduled. In the meantime, my sister had come to Kaua’i to be at the March 18 party. Together we purchased 2 pieces of material that we liked and Eleanor decided to make a jacket for me out of the material. The jacket seemed just right for wearing to the June 3 party. I love it!
I hope the songs on this CD make you happy – they certainly make me happy.
