The Life in Music

Konabob and the Unique Kona Walkingbass

…By Shirley Stoffer… Bob Stoffer, known as “Konabob” to many people in Hawai’i and around the world, had loved Hawai’i and Hawaiian music for a long time before moving to the island. He listened to Hawaiian music at his bakery in the mountains of Colorado, with a picture of Gabby Pahinui and a map of [...]
A Passionate Kanaka Maoli: Keoki Kahumoku

A Passionate Kanaka Maoli*: Keoki Kahumoku (*Native of this land) —Inspiring the Next Generation with ‘Ukulele, Guitar and Life Skills …By Shirley Stoffer… Keoki Kahumoku is a passionate guy. His beautiful musical talent comes naturally, genetically, from a family that’s well-known in Hawaiian music. But it’s almost secondary to his passions — about many things, [...]
Gary Washburn: Jazzing Up a High School Band

Gary Washburn: Jazzing Up a High School Band —Heʻs Taken Honoka‘aʻs Music Program to the Top …By Catherine Tarleton… It’s a bright, windy afternoon in Honoka’a for the Peace Day Festival, and the Honoka‘a High School Jazz Band is rocking the field with some big, belted-out blues by a diminutive female vocalist. The kids play [...]
Aloha Music Camp

Aloha Music Camp: Awakening Hawaiian Spirit Keola Beamer and Mohala Hou ‘Ohana …By Marya Mann… Slack key artist Keola Beamer, world traveler, performer, composer and master musician—a Hawaiian who has earned a place on Billboard’s Top World Music Albums chart – also has a sense of place. Today it’s Keauhou, a historically significant locale that [...]
Time Out with the Amazing Bosco

Time Out with the Amazing Bosco …Troubador, Kona Icon, Recording Artist and New-Age Musical Alchemist …By Marya Mann …The man may be ahead of his time, but time is running short this day for Bosco as he stuffs electrical cords and mechanical contraptions into his bags. Check. Preparing for his performance at the seaside Kona [...]
Bruddah Kuz’ Family Album

Bruddah Kuz’ Family Album … Maunakea Family Productions: Music, Family and Youth Advocacy …By Hadley Catalano… The story of Iopa Maunakea’s community dedication is woven like a melodic theme through his life’s work, beginning with his grandmother, Katherine Maunakea. His story is not complete without hers. As a community organizer in the district of Puna, [...]
Puna Men Sing from the Heart

Puna Men Sing from the Heart By Noel Morata… When friends and newcomers first attend a performance by the Puna Men’s Chorus (PMC), they are mesmerized with the surprises in every show. Part cabaret, part theater, all these beautiful voices meld together in a superbly entertaining and inspirational performance. Each show typically brings the audience [...]
Jazzy Maggie – a Musician for Life

Jazzy Maggie – a Musician for Life …By Colin John, Ke Ola Music Correspondent – Walking into and experiencing a Maggie Herron show is like stumbling serendipitously into a tropical jazz oasis: soothing, calming, exciting and eminently enjoyable. The sounds that emanate from her piano, combined with her jazzy, sensual voice, make for a relaxing [...]
Rob Yamanoha: One Akamai Hilo Music Man

Rob Yamanoha: One Akamai Hilo Music Man By Ke Ola Music Correspondent Colin John Driving over Saddle Road and into Kaumana, on the mauka side of Hilo, I am looking forward to speaking with the multi-talented Rob Yamanoha. Still a young man, Rob wears many musical hats: guitarist, songwriter, producer, performer, studio owner, engineer and [...]
The Life in Art


A Master Chinese Brush Painter
…Shirley Pu Wills Practices the Art of Imagination and Chi …By Fern Gavelek … It’s both what you see and what you don’t see that create the magic in Chinese brush painting. “The thing about Chinese brush painting is you imagine what’s not there,” says Shirley Pu Wills of Captain Cook. “A painting of koi [...]
Gille Legacy: The Man Who...
…By Cynthia Sweeney… Gille Legacy does not have the distractions that the rest of us do. Unable to use his body since birth, he is not confined to it and lives largely—both figuratively and literally—in his imagination. And the peace of that place comes through him and onto the canvas as a tangible connection between [...]The Life in Music


Konabob and the Unique Kona...
…By Shirley Stoffer… Bob Stoffer, known as “Konabob” to many people in Hawai’i and around the world, had loved Hawai’i and Hawaiian music for a long time before moving to the island. He listened to Hawaiian music at his bakery in the mountains of Colorado, with a picture of Gabby Pahinui and a map of [...]
A Passionate Kanaka Maoli:...
A Passionate Kanaka Maoli*: Keoki Kahumoku (*Native of this land) —Inspiring the Next Generation with ‘Ukulele, Guitar and Life Skills …By Shirley Stoffer… Keoki Kahumoku is a passionate guy. His beautiful musical talent comes naturally, genetically, from a family that’s well-known in Hawaiian music. But it’s almost secondary...
Gary Washburn: Jazzing Up a...
Gary Washburn: Jazzing Up a High School Band —Heʻs Taken Honoka‘aʻs Music Program to the Top …By Catherine Tarleton… It’s a bright, windy afternoon in Honoka’a for the Peace Day Festival, and the Honoka‘a High School Jazz Band is rocking the field with some big, belted-out blues by a diminutive female vocalist. The kids...The Life in Spirit


Ke Ao
… Na Kumu Keala Ching… Ua hāmama ka ‘īpuka o ke ao – The door of heaven is opened Ke ao (i) ‘ike ‘ia o ke ālaula – As seen, the clouds of the morning light Lālau ho’i ke aloha o nēia ola – Love of this life is placed and carried E ola ka [...]
Ku‘u One Hanau e
Ku‘u One Hānau ē — Na Kumu Keala Ching… Eia ku’u one hānau ē – Here is my place of birth E ku’u ‘āina Kaulana ē – A famous place to me Eia ho’i ke aloha pau’ole ē – Present indeed is unconditional love Aloha ku’u one hānau ē – Love for my place of [...]




