Spirit of Aloha | Articles | Music | January/February 2003

Music
By Ozzie Kotani

New Trio on the Block

Traditional Hawaiian music gets fresh treatment in a familiar format in Kahua's debut CD, Mali'o e

Kahua translates to "foundation" or "base," and this talented young group prides itself on playing Hawaiian music rooted in tradition-including the tradition of the Hawaiian trio. Featuring the standard format of bass, guitar and 'ukulele providing instrumental background to vocal harmonies, some outstanding threesomes have been the Kahauanu Lake Trio, Hui 'Ohana, Makaha Sons and, most recently, 'Ale'a.

Kahua is composed of Nakana Wong, Gavan Miyashita and Kevin Morikone. Their new CD, Mali'o e, proves that although their surnames are Asian, their music is definitely Hawaiian. "Even though I do not have Hawaiian blood, being born and raised in the Islands has given me an appreciation for the music and culture of Hawai'i," says lead vocalist Gavan Miyashita, who also plays 'ukulele and rhythm guitar. This background and sensitivity are reflected in his unique falsetto stylings. Likewise, slack key guitarist Kevin Morikone has been able to capture the phrasing and melodic variations that give this deceptively simple fingerstyle its distinct sound.

Nakana Wong does an excellent job laying down the tracks on his upright bass. The movement of his bass line and its wonderful texture demonstrate two of the key elements of Hawaiian trio music.

The selection of material on the CD takes us back to the comforting songs of yesterday. Lena Machado's risque "Kauoha Mai," also known as the "Keyhole Hula," is superbly done, starting in a minor key, passing into a major and progressing into higher keys. Miyashita's range and the group's three-part harmony are also showcased in "'Alekoki," "I Ali'i No 'Oe" and "Na Ka Pueo," which features a rare upright bass solo by Wong.

Morikone plays in the "Big Island" or "Kalapana" style of slack key made famous by the legendary Fred Punahoa and the phenomenal Ledward Kaapana, master of counter-melodies. While that style is executed in the standard or Spanish tuning, Kevin also loosens the strings for two traditional instrumentals-"Keoki's Slack Key" and "Slack Key Hula."

KINE FM Radio personality Brickwood Galuteria lauds the debut of the trio: "Kahua is a welcome addition to the growing list of traditional Hawaiian groups; it bodes well for the future."
Mali'o e by Kahua; Poki Records and Tropical Music Inc.; 2002.

Hawaiian 105 KINE is the main source of information for this column.

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