Return to Waikīkī – A Lū’au and Cocktail Show

Return to Waikiki celebrates the incredible story of how Hawaiian music came to be, from its pre-Western contact roots of Hula Kahiko to the Hawaiian music renaissance of the 1970s and beyond. A vaudevillian-style presentation combines masterful musicianship, comedy, theatrics, dance and story telling to entertain, inspire and enlighten the audience to this rarely told tale.

Just steps from most hotels in Waikīkī, this lū’au set under the canopies of banyan and palms trees of the famed International Marketplace will take you back to the spirit of the grand lū’aus and entertainment of the 1940s and 1950s. Master slack key guitarist Makana showcases traditional and contemporary Hawaiian music in a sophisticated production that pays tribute to Waikīkī’s past and present.

Please join us for our VIP Opening Night on Saturday August 7, 2010 at 6pm.

Individual $125

Table of (4) $400

Table of (8) $800

A portion of the proceeds will benefit Kanu Hawaii and the Surfrider Foundation.

International Marketplace, Waikīkī Beach

(808) 542-6567 or visit www.ReturnToWaikiki.com to make reservations.

The following piece was inspired after reading this article: The Hawaii Tourism Association urges the Governor to veto a bill making it impossible to get information about how 88 Million Dollars of promotional money is being managed

“Underfoot”

By Makana

It is my feeling that a large percentage of our tax dollars designated to those responsible for marketing Hawai’i are wasted on fruitless activities that serve to reinforce those tawdry stereotypes that deter visitors rather then generate excitement about Hawai’i as a destination. Many of the PR firms and third party contractors who execute such activities are ones that have longstanding relationships with the State and are long overdue for a keen, independent ROI analysis.

A number of mainland US Hawaiian music promoters have expressed a sincere frustration at having to compete with “free admission” state sponsored events that were scheduled near in time and place to their own events. They each appealed to the firms responsible for the events, to no avail. Rather than merge and work together in support of a common vision, the firms hold steadfast to data garnered from their “seasonal statistics” in planning their pushes, which are more than often lackluster and repetitive, rarely seducing new potential travelers. I know, I’ve participated in them.

In the islands, a cultural renaissance strives to break through marginalization into a larger social presence. The current utilization of Hawai’i’s reputation, as well as its cultural practitioners, artisans, performers, and promoters is unimaginative at best, and new ideas, which often come from new minds, rarely find haven in the established network of old thinking.

As it often is with government, the modus operandi of dispensing funds toward tourist industry marketing, I believe, does not represent the interests of the common good of Hawai’i Nei. HTA leadership’s desire to withhold their spending data only serves to engender further distrust. Confidentiality of “competitively sensitive information” is an excuse employed by the military, not tourism officials. A strategy based on the marketing of the true value of Hawai’i- its cultural, natural, spiritual, aesthetic and healing value- would not require secrecy. Hawai’i innately offers what no other place on this planet can. The world is already in love with her. But greed and progress, from developers, to the Japanese real estate investors of the 1980s, to the present corporations who value branding and image over actual value: these factors have sullied that beautiful romance the world once had with Hawai’i. Now, we must recognize our own acts of self-devaluation and understand that the course of action is clear and imminent: rearrange the guiding principles away from profiteering and toward recreating Paradise.

What I mean is, we must first once again learn to truly love Hawai’i before we can convince the rest of the world that she is worthy of their love.

It is time for a new strategy, one that is not based upon a disingenuous co-optation of cultural mana’o (ideas); nor upon a concealed network of fund-distribution that reflects secret friendships, old alliances, and self-interest.

It is time for a strategy that is guided by respect for this coveted land; a love that holds her well being as the highest principle of our lives. The metaphor that arises as truest is also most painful: We have made our lover into a whore, forcing her to bring us bounty through the prostitution of her body, rather than drinking from the bounty inherent in her flesh. This land was created to give life, not money. Leaders, you fear the truth. You fear the reality that brave decisions must be made. Who of you has the courage to risk your position in society and give platform to the voice of clarity?

If not one of you, then one of the youth. I am not afraid. I love Hawai’i, and I sing her songs as a praise and in joyous gratitude. I respect our visitors, I want them to experience the authentic Hawai’i; I respect our locals, I realize many jobs at present are dependent on tourism, and yet in my respect for them my heart only says to speak the truth: we must shift away from the addiction of other people’s money toward the bounty of our land; and, I respect the ‘aina, for in my deepest perception I realize that it is the ‘aina, the land, that is the first value, and from her, all other things of value issue forth.

It is time for a Revolution of Perception.

E ola mau ka ‘aina o Hawai’i Nei

(Long live the land of Hawai’i)

Makana

Mahalo to everyone who voted for Makana!

Results here

Read full article HERE

Makana’s all original slack key guitar record “Venus, and the Sky Turns to Clay” has been nominated in the SLACK KEY category of the Hawaii Music Awards!

To cast your vote:
1) click HERE or go to www.hawaiimusicawards.com/voting
2) enter your email address (1 vote per valid email address)
3) go to the SLACK KEY category
4) select the artist you wish to vote for, then click “SUBMIT”. Makana’s album is called “Venus, and the Sky Turns to Clay”
5) *Important* – you must click “Review and Submit Your Vote” on the right side of the page. The submit page will confirm your vote and ask you to enter a validation code. If you do not complete this process your vote will not be counted.

Mahalo for your support!

I received this wonderful message from one of my fans who works in Oncology, and wanted to share the good news:

Aloha, Makana,
And Happy New Year! Just a quick message to let you know that the beautiful music of “Venus…” is being listened to by some cancer patients while undergoing chemotherapy infusions to help them relax during their treatments, which, as you can imagine, can be full of anxiety and stress. I have given the CD to a couple of oncologists (cancer specialists) who liked it so much that they thought it might be therapeutic for patients, who often listen to music to help calm them and alleviate symptoms of cancer and chemotherapy. While this wasn’t my idea, merely a gift to some doctor friends who are also slack key guitar enthusiasts, I think it’s a great idea and plan to give more Venus CD’s to oncologists and chemotherapy infusion centers with the hope that it might help cancer patients get through a difficult time.

Aloha,
Paul.

Thanks Paul!

On December 8 2009 I was invited to perform at the White House during a holiday reception that included the President and First Lady, White House staff, and various diplomats. It was a great honor and rare opportunity to walk the halls and rooms of what really is a museum of American presidential history. Upon my arrival, I was escorted to Eleanor Roosevelt’s Situation Room, which doubled as a map archive room, adjoining the ovular Diplomatic Reception Room, where the Obamas were receiving a select few guests, mostly entertainers and their associates. I was assigned a marine, who shortly thereafter made the introduction between myself and the Obamas. My first word was “aloha”, and the President immediately responded with, “alright, a guy from Hawai’i!” He and Mrs. Obama displayed an immediate change in demeanor, toward a very “local, laidback, easy going” vibe. It was beautiful to be there with them in that moment, in a space beyond politics and policies, just to know that some essence of our Hawai’ian culture, some aloha spirit, has found its way into the seat at the bow of America. We exchanged a few pleasantries (I was sure to make it clear that I am originally from Pearl City), and then posed for a photograph (of which I am still awaiting its approval and post!). I threw a “shaka” and after a few snaps of the camera Barack looked over and noticed and said “let’s do one more!” And then he and Michelle both threw shakas. It was a classic moment, as if we three had all forgotten where we were.

The event was a casual cocktail party with around 800 guests. I performed in one of the wings of the White House, near a bar (which turned out to be the most popular spot). The crowd seemed to really enjoy the music, and picked up on the unique sounds and language of Hawai’ian Slack Key. I played for over 2 hours, sharing mostly Hawaiian music, with the occasional original composition as well as ballad of peace.

Here’s a letter I received from the Social Secretary of the White House following my performance there:

This came as a wonderful surprise, thanks to my friend Eric Petersen who called to tell me after getting the mag in the mail. I had no idea! My heartfelt gratitude to the journalist Matt Blackett, who is a huge supporter of both slack key as well as my music. This is a dream come true, to have a piece that talks a little about slack key in a mainstream, primarily rock guitar publication. I even got to mention Uncle Sonny and the other ki ho’alu masters! Here’s a scan of the article (click on the image to enlarge). You can get it on stands now.