UNCLE WILLIE
I first heard William Kahaiali’i in 1995. It was in Kapiolani Park at the Waikiki Band shell where a technician was testing the system using the recording of one of his songs. I had just finished running the Honolulu Marathon and the "noise boy" was getting the set ready for all the festivities that surround this event. Wobbly-legged and cloaked in a metallic-looking thermal "space blanket" I limped over to the audio mixer, drawn by this great sound. It was a reggae song, but with a Hawaiian theme about "driving to the North Shore". The singer's voice was high and clear and strikingly emotional.
Why, it's Willie K.," said the tech with a big grin. My interest piqued I found Willie K.'s cassette, Kahaialii, with "North Shore Reggae Blues" on it at the International Market Place in Waikiki. (I didn't have a cd player yet...) Infectious songs filled the cassette (and later the cd when I wore out the tape). It had more reggae, pop and indigenous Hawaiian music and a cover of the Smokey Robinson hit, "Tracks of My Tears".
Over the years since I've heard other songs by Willie K., a lot from his "Willie Kalikimaka" cd which features his renditions of "Mele Kalikimaka", a song first made famous by Bing Crosby and "O Holy Night" which is the most requested song at Hawaiian radio stations during the holiday season. I am a fan of Uncle Willie and when we were planning this trip to Hawaii I started looking at possibly attending a live performance. Turns out he lives on Maui and plays a weekly regular gig at an Irish Bar in Kihei, as improbable as that seems. Mulligans on the Blue is near the Wailea Golf Club and has open-air indoor seating with great views of the Pacific.
While we were still at home I made reservations for our Wednesday on Maui. But despite my admiration for this Hawaiian entertainer, I was not prepared for the amount of talent he would wield that night.
It is first come first serve on the table seating even though we had a reservation. Though any table at Mulligan's is great, we got there early and sat right in front of the dear Uncle. He's a big guy who looked even bigger when he came out with a diminutive ukulele. Accompanied only by a bass guitarist Uncle Willie explained he was asked to attend the Ukulele Festival later that weekend in Oahu and lamented that he hadn't played the instrument in awhile and that he was using this audience to get ready. He then proceeded to WAIL on the little guy for at least an hour before switching over to a guitar. It was shocking to hear his fluid expertise in both instruments, although I had read that if he didn't know a particular instrument you could give it to him, go to lunch, and when you come back he will have mastered it.
I first heard William Kahaiali’i in 1995. It was in Kapiolani Park at the Waikiki Band shell where a technician was testing the system using the recording of one of his songs. I had just finished running the Honolulu Marathon and the "noise boy" was getting the set ready for all the festivities that surround this event. Wobbly-legged and cloaked in a metallic-looking thermal "space blanket" I limped over to the audio mixer, drawn by this great sound. It was a reggae song, but with a Hawaiian theme about "driving to the North Shore". The singer's voice was high and clear and strikingly emotional.
Why, it's Willie K.," said the tech with a big grin. My interest piqued I found Willie K.'s cassette, Kahaialii, with "North Shore Reggae Blues" on it at the International Market Place in Waikiki. (I didn't have a cd player yet...) Infectious songs filled the cassette (and later the cd when I wore out the tape). It had more reggae, pop and indigenous Hawaiian music and a cover of the Smokey Robinson hit, "Tracks of My Tears".
Over the years since I've heard other songs by Willie K., a lot from his "Willie Kalikimaka" cd which features his renditions of "Mele Kalikimaka", a song first made famous by Bing Crosby and "O Holy Night" which is the most requested song at Hawaiian radio stations during the holiday season. I am a fan of Uncle Willie and when we were planning this trip to Hawaii I started looking at possibly attending a live performance. Turns out he lives on Maui and plays a weekly regular gig at an Irish Bar in Kihei, as improbable as that seems. Mulligans on the Blue is near the Wailea Golf Club and has open-air indoor seating with great views of the Pacific.
It is first come first serve on the table seating even though we had a reservation. Though any table at Mulligan's is great, we got there early and sat right in front of the dear Uncle. He's a big guy who looked even bigger when he came out with a diminutive ukulele. Accompanied only by a bass guitarist Uncle Willie explained he was asked to attend the Ukulele Festival later that weekend in Oahu and lamented that he hadn't played the instrument in awhile and that he was using this audience to get ready. He then proceeded to WAIL on the little guy for at least an hour before switching over to a guitar. It was shocking to hear his fluid expertise in both instruments, although I had read that if he didn't know a particular instrument you could give it to him, go to lunch, and when you come back he will have mastered it.
UKULELE FESTIVAL
He was quite the entertainer. Writing here will not come close to capturing the breath and scope of his abilities, his command of the stage or the love that he had in entertaining. He was all over the map with styles, but his voice was angelic. Some of the notes he hit were so high and held for so long that the collective audience would hold their breath. He sang a lot of his own songs, but worked in country/western tunes, indigenous Hawaiian songs (after explaining the meaning of the words), he yodeled and he even belted out an Italian aria in a stunningly strong voice. Janet and I glanced at each other several times in awe with each new twist in the show. His musicianship was phenomenal, coaxing notes from the ukulele and guitar with alacrity. Uncle Willie truly seemed to enjoy what he was doing up there at Mulligan's on the Blue.
Throughout the show he was humorous and chatty. At one point he said he wasn't looking forward to upcoming Ukulele Festival because he would have to sit through countless versions of "Over the Rainbow." He told a very funny and lengthy story about country music and ended it with his rendition of "Crazy", but mimicking Patsy Cline and Willie Nelson in a sort of schizophrenic duet. He ended the show with a rousing version of "Danny Boy", which was the one requirement Mulligan's imposed on him! We laughed and clapped and enjoyed Mr. Kahaiali’i and his overwhelming infectious joy and approach to music.
Afterwards I got the good Uncle to sign my copy of Kahaialii and purchased Awihilima: Reflections, a cd filled with indigenous Hawaiian songs. An interesting note about this cd. His sister was running the merch table and said Awihilima was Willie's favorite because it is helping to preserve the legacy of Hawaiian culture. He has said in interviews that as the older generations die off the task falls to him and others to remember and pass on to future generations.
WILLIE K WEBSITE
Now going to Mulligan's on the Blue for the dinner show is rather expensive, but everything on Maui is expensive. Between the show, dinner, drinks and tip it cost us $187.00 Attending just the show is possible for less money. Truly I would not have missed this opportunity to see Willie K. whatever the cost.
MULLIGANS ON THE BLUE
Go!
Mahalo for reading and to all our dear friends in Hawaii please be safe with the approaching hurricanes. We are praying and thinking of you.
He was quite the entertainer. Writing here will not come close to capturing the breath and scope of his abilities, his command of the stage or the love that he had in entertaining. He was all over the map with styles, but his voice was angelic. Some of the notes he hit were so high and held for so long that the collective audience would hold their breath. He sang a lot of his own songs, but worked in country/western tunes, indigenous Hawaiian songs (after explaining the meaning of the words), he yodeled and he even belted out an Italian aria in a stunningly strong voice. Janet and I glanced at each other several times in awe with each new twist in the show. His musicianship was phenomenal, coaxing notes from the ukulele and guitar with alacrity. Uncle Willie truly seemed to enjoy what he was doing up there at Mulligan's on the Blue.
Afterwards I got the good Uncle to sign my copy of Kahaialii and purchased Awihilima: Reflections, a cd filled with indigenous Hawaiian songs. An interesting note about this cd. His sister was running the merch table and said Awihilima was Willie's favorite because it is helping to preserve the legacy of Hawaiian culture. He has said in interviews that as the older generations die off the task falls to him and others to remember and pass on to future generations.
Now going to Mulligan's on the Blue for the dinner show is rather expensive, but everything on Maui is expensive. Between the show, dinner, drinks and tip it cost us $187.00 Attending just the show is possible for less money. Truly I would not have missed this opportunity to see Willie K. whatever the cost.
MULLIGANS ON THE BLUE
Go!
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