By Da Two Japanee Bruddahs
Keith Kamisugi and Kyle Tatsumoto
June 2002, Nichi Bei Times

Warning: Don Ho's "Tiny Bubbles" is not Hawaiian music. (Sorry, Don.)

Contemporary Hawaiian music has evolved into numerous genres skillfully practiced by scores of artists, in and outside of Hawai'i. Whether it's a weave of rock and reggae, or the furious but decisive picking and strumming of the ukulele, Hawaiian music continues to evolve and grow.

O Productions, founded by Kurt Osaki and Dean Osaki, once again showcases the best of Island music in their second annual Sounds of Hawai'i concert. And, after a hugely successful inaugural event at Great America last September, they're bringing the concert to Irvine in Southern California on June 22, in addition to a June 29 event at Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View.

The concert has again attracted some of the best talents. Na Leo Pilimehana, a trio of sirens, holds the distinction of having the best selling single in Hawai'i's history with "Local Boys," as well as recording Japan's top selling Hawaiian album of all time. Jake Shimabukuro is Hawai'i's new ukulele laureate. Kalapana, who some consider the "Eagles of Hawaiian music," continues to be one of Hawaii's most successful and loved acts. The prolific and industrious Kapena expertly blend traditional and contemporary sounds. And Sean Na'auao broke new ground when he became the first Hawaiian music artist to be nominated in 2000 for a reggae Grammy.

Twenty-five year-old Shimabukuro is an unforgettable act. His mind-boggling command of the ukulele communicates an energy that belies his otherwise low-key, humble personality. Ey, da bruddah can play!

"I was blown away to see so many people from Hawai'i," said Shimabukuro about last year's Sounds of Hawai'i concert. "It was really awesome."

A year later, the young artist is concentrating on his first solo album, due out in November. "I'm in the studio a lot, camping out over there. I get there around one in the afternoon and then record until two or three in the morning. Sometimes I end up sleeping over and then start up again the next day." "I've been trying different styles and techniques and experimenting a lot with jazz, rock and blues," said Shimabukuro.

Shimabukuro says he "tries to keep busy," which is an understatement. If you like check him out wen you go Hawai'i dis summer, he regularly plays Tuesdays at Willows Restaurant in Moili'ili and Thursdays at Chai's Island Bistro in downtown Honolulu's Aloha Tower Marketplace.

"I've also been fortunate to play in Japan and other places on the West Coast," he said. "I played at the House of Blues in Mandalay Bay."

Shimabukuro also mentioned a surprise gig with Blues Traveler last November at the Waikiki Shell. Traveler frontman John Popper invited Shimabukuro and "we just started trading back and forth on leads, him on the harmonica - me on the ukulele."

Honolulu music critic Chad Pata called the exchange something that "will be talked about in Hawai'i for years to come. Jake Shimabukuro and Popper had a showdown reminiscent of Robert Johnson and the Devil at the proverbial crossroads."

If that performance helps spur more excitement in the ukulele, Shimabukuro would be all for it. "I really see a lot more people taking an interest in the ukulele. And not just playing (the ukulele), but also more interest in making it and teaching it."

Shimabukuro's not the only Sounds of Hawai'i act to play at a House of Blues. Na Leo performed at the Hollywood location in 1998.

"It was when we had Poetry Man on the Top 20," said Na Leo's Nalani Choy. "It was nice since it was a smaller venue." But that was more mainstream, Choy said. The Sounds of Hawai'i concert "is more for the Hawai'i people."

"(The Sounds of Hawai'i) was probably the best Mainland Hawaiian music concert we've been involved with," she said. "Its' just a first rate thing - all the way from the pre-show and the food booths to the crews - it was wonderful."

Na Leo, the trio of Choy, Lehua Kalima Heine and Angela Morales, continue to be one of Hawai'i's most successful acts. They hold the distinction of winning the most Na Hoku Hanohano awards - Hawai'i's equivalent of the Grammys. Na Leo won their twenty-first award last month as "Christmas Gift 2" was selected Christmas Album of the Year.

The top female vocal group in contemporary Hawaiian music, Na Leo just released their fourteenth album, "Hawaiian Memories," this month. "We have Lehua's father and uncles on the CD," said Choy. "They were a popular group called the 'Hilo Kalimas' and it was very cool for us to record with them."

Hawaii music critics wasted no time praising the new album. "One of the most beautiful albums of the year," said John Berger of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. The Honolulu Advertiser's Wayne Harada said the album "continues a tradition of fusing island sentiments with endearing expression." Even da Two Japanee Bruddahs say dis one of da prettiest Hawaiian albums evah. Five stars, check 'em out!

The Sounds of Hawai'i concert is a special appearance, said Choy. "It's rare to see us live in concert. We do a Mother's Day concert and a Christmas one with the Honolulu Symphony, but that's pretty much it."

For more information on Na Leo, visit http://www.naleo.net. Jake Shimabukuro's website is http://www.jakeshimabukuro.com.

Hawaiian music fans don't want to miss the Sounds of Hawai'i concerts on June 22 and 29. Na Leo will be making appearances at Borders locations in the Bay Area on June 28 and in Southern California on June 21. Shimabukuro will be conducting a workshop for children and adults at the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California on June 26. Na Leo, Shimabukuro and Sam Choy will also be at Nikkei Traditions in Japantown for an autograph session on June 29, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. E-mail us at wot@twojapaneebruddahs.com for more details.

To learn more about Sounds of Hawai'i, visit http://thesoundsofhawaii.com. You can also purchase tickets online.

Local boys Keith Kamisugi and Kyle Tatsumoto are da Two Japanee Bruddahs.

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