Kahilu Theatre presents two May Day weekend concerts as a tribute to the great Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwoole, featuring Hoku Zuttermeister and band, as well as Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewett, and Halau Hula O Kahikilaulani.
Kahilu Theatre presents two May Day weekend concerts as a tribute to the great Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwoole, featuring Hoku Zuttermeister and band, as well as Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewett, and Halau Hula O Kahikilaulani.
Performances are 7 p.m. Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday at the Waimea theater.
Zuttermeister’s first album “Aina Kupuna,” won six 2008 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards including Hawaiian Album of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Entertainer of the Year, Hawaiian Language Performance, Most Promising New Artist and Liner Notes. Just released in early April, “Kuu Pua Sakura,” is his second album and features many songs near and dear to his heart.
His voice is deep and resonating, yet when he switches to the crystal-clear highs of falsetto, to the delight of his listeners, he shows the enormous vocal range that he has worked so hard at perfecting. During the two events, Zuttermeister will sing some beloved IZ favorites such as “La Elima,” “Kaleohano,” “Pupu O Niihau,” “Henehene Kou Aka,” “E Kuu Morning Dew,” and the nahenahe “Kainoa.” He will also showcase new songs from his album, by storied Hawaiian music writers such as Kawaikapuokalani Hewett, Al Makahinu “Pops” Barcarse, and Chad Takatsugi. He will share mele spanning the islands, from “Kaulana Niihau,” to the haunting mele of “Ohelo Beauty,” celebrating Hawaii Island’s natural beauty.
Hewett is a beloved kumu hula, composer, singer and chanter with more than 50 years of living and teaching the legacy of hula and hoola. Initially a student of kumu hula Emma de Fries, Kawaikapu then played and danced with Olomana, with Aunty Genoa Keawe, and Palani Vaughn. He was a member of the “E Hoo Hawaii Kakou,” which was instructed and mentored by Hula Master Iolani Luahine. He also studied olelo and chanting under Aunty Edith Kanakaole. He has recorded 10 CDs, and his music has been recorded by many of Hawaii’s greatest entertainers — including Kamakawiwoole and the Makaha Sons of Niihau.
Hula dancers from Halau Hula O Kahikilaulani and their kumu hula Nahoku Gaspang, 2016 Merrie Monarch winners of hula kahiko wahine, will join Zuttermeister and Hewett for the May Day concerts. Kahilu Theatre encourages concert-goers to make a lei, bring a lei, and give a lei.
The chance encounter of two truant schoolboys (Kamakawiwoole and John Koko) at the beach was the beginning of a band everyone soon would know as the Makaha Sons of Niihau. They went on to record 21 albums, win many Na Hoku Awards and change Hawaiian music history.
In 1993, IZ decided to venture out on his own. His first release was “Facing Future,” which focused on his stunning voice and launched his incredibly successful solo recording career. “Facing Future,” was followed by “E Ala E” (1995), “N Dis Life” (1996), “IZ In Concert: The Man and His Music” (1998), “Alone In IZ World” (2001) and “Wonderful World” (2007). “Facing Future,” remains the top-selling Hawaiian music album in the world.
Tickets range from $20-$68 and are available via www.kahilutheatre.org and at the theater from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today, or by calling 885-6868.
Info: www.kahilutheatre.org. ■