Punalu`u - Hawaiian Slack Key with Ledward Kaapana

There are two beautiful Hawaiian songs (at least) called "Punalu`u." Mary Pukui and Irmgard Aluli composed one honoring the windward coast of O`ahu, while the other was written by George Kealoha Iopa, Sr. and praises the black sand beach on Hawai`i Island. This version is the latter.

I had plenty of fun playing my Aloha Friday in Downtown Pleasant Hill this past summer, but the absolute peak came on July 31, when slack key master Ledward Kaapana AND his sister, Lehua Kaapana Nash joined me for a couple of hours of relaxed Hawaiian music, played slack key style.

Even though the guitars are amplified and Lehua is singing without a mic, her classic falsetto vocal made it through on the Xacti camera mic. Lehua is singing in a style very much like that of her mother, the late Tina Kaapana.

Both Lehua and her younger brother Ledward were raised in a remarkable musical family in the village of Kalapana on the Island of Hawai`i. They learned to sing and play from their mother, father, uncles, aunts, and when they play and sing together those long gone Kalapana days live again for a moment.

This video was shot on a Sanyo Xacti HD2000, audio is straight camera mic. The guitars were amplified, the vocal was not.

Please visit my site at http://www.kaleponi.com for slack key information and free music downloads.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• kaleponi
• hawaiian
• slack key
• acoustic guitar
• ledward kaapana
• sanyo xacti hd2000

[takeumeasy]

If not mistaking. The old timers of Punalu'u and Kalapana say that Uncle Fred Punahoa wrote this song. Someone stole it from him because he couldn't read and write at that time. That's what is said.

[franguidry]

@takeumeasy Led hasn't mentioned that to me, I'll have to ask him. Love your videos of the Ohana Serenaders!! That Rhoda can geeve 'em, eh?

Fran

[dougfitchmusic]

Hi Fran, Led said he'll lend me copy of the LP. I'll have to figure out how to burn it into digital from my turntable. If you have a digital copy please let me know. When are you coming out next for a visit?

Aloha my slackin' Brother! -Doug

[franguidry]

E aloha, Doug. We're there.

Fran

[dougfitchmusic]

One of my fav Hawaiian songs, and performed by my favorite people! Check out Led and Lehua's mother's recording of "Punalu'u" on the album "The History of Slack Key Guitar" (Cord/Hana Ola Records). What fun!

Aloha, Doug

[franguidry]

Have you gotten your hands on the Tina Kaapana LP? Stunning stuff.

Fran

[hrlarson]

Good stuff!

[franguidry]

Eh, Wanda, ya think we had a pretty good time while Lehua visited for the weekend?

Fran

[wjc1952]

Oh man, Fran - this is the ultimate! I have never seen or heard sister Lehua before. Magnificent the talent in that one `ohana. My oh my. And you, Brother - you keep right up with them. Good for you. And good fun!

Me ke aloha,

Wanda

[franguidry]

Thanks for stopping by so soon after I got this posted. That episode of Aloha Friday in Downtown Pleasant Hill will probably always be my favorite.

Fran