The Sounds of Hawai'i

On Saturday, I went to the Sounds of Hawai'i held at the Shoreline Amphitheatre. I thought I would miss the show, but fate cleared my schedule.

After visiting various vendors and buying a couple of CDs for autographs, I spent the rest of the afternoon in the shade of the Hukilau Bar, which featured local talent like the Pupule' Boyz and Aloha Brewed.

Before the evening show began, Brook Lee (Miss Hawaii and Universe 1997) and Sam Choy, the hosts of the evening, took forever praising and introducing one another. The music itself was good, so good. Ten Feet and Mark Keali'i Ho'omalu (of Lilo & Stitch fame) were part of the lineup. When the Makaha Sons (of Ni'ihau) sang "White Sandy Beach", accompanied by graceful hula dancers, I was overcome with a feeling much like homesickness, a longing to return.

Robi Kahakalau and Raiatea Helm both sang with the Makaha Sons. Raiatea blew away the crowd and I'm a little taken with her. She also sang a duet with Ten Feet, a cool cover of the Bee Gees' "Islands in the Stream".

The signs at the venue should really read, "No cameras allowed for those gullible enough to believe cameras aren't allowed." Next time I'll know better.