Feeling Good, Bringing Joy, and Cleared for Take-Off: Mili Nanea
By Colin John Ke Ola Magazine Music Correspondent
Take three pedigreed and talented musicians with mutual respect for one another. Add patience, perseverance, family, community, faith and friends. Combine together in a laid-back home environment utilizing a strong work ethic. Stay focused while bringing and sharing joy through music. Remember the past fondly while living Aloha and looking towards the future. Throw in a dash of good-natured humor. The Result? Mili Nanea, a unique, Hilo-based musical group whose music and spirit are far-reaching.
On a sunny Hilo morning, I am greeted by Christy Lassiter, one-third of Mili Nanea, at her family’s homestead. A picturesque setting on Hilo Bay, where the band is finishing recording their new CD, it looks and feels like the perfect, peaceful place to create. Interestingly, this beautiful home was also used as a kama’aina house of hospitality during World War II, no doubt due to its unintentional strategic placement. Christy is tall and elegant, with a regal yet unpretentious air and undeniable social etiquette, as she gives me an unhurried tour of the music room, pointing out the grand piano.
“This is where my grandparents lived and I spent much time growing up. My grandmother often hosted parties here and I was expected and encouraged to participate. When the music started playing, I would crawl under the piano and hug its legs, feeling the vibrations and soaking up the resonance. It was a warm, good feeling. My sister was my first musical partner and we would play ‘ukulele and sing together.”
She leads me out onto the lanai, overlooking a large backyard (and only slightly larger Pacific Ocean) where the other members, Darrell Aquino and Randy Lorenzo, have taken a break during the recording of their debut CD. It is clear that they enjoy each other’s company and are a firm yet respectful ‘ohana; they smile and laugh easily at each other’s stories and they know that when it’s time to work, nobody gets to slack off.
“I rule them with a velvet glove and cast iron fist,” quips Darrell Aquino, the group’s Hoku award-winning musical director, with a slight glint in his eye.
“Actually, they both do,” Christy says, acknowledging both Darrell and Randy Lorenzo, the Grammy and Hoku award-winning songwriter/bassist/guitarist who is the shy, quiet one in the band.
“Just because I am a woman, they cut me no slack nor do I expect that. In fact, working with them makes me push myself harder to step up to the plate and swing.”
Blessed with award-winning songwriting skills, Randy has worked with Gabby Pahinui, Peter Moon Band, Country Comfort, Charles Brotman, Chaka Khan and Ry Cooder, among others. Growing up on O‘ahu in Waimanalo, the youngest of ten children decided music was a sensible way to express himself. “Along with surfing at Sandy Beach, I loved listening to and playing soul music. I had a band in the ‘70s called Soul Five-O. We played Sam and Dave, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, all that kine stuff,” says Randy in a lilting, local accent. “Through hanging out in this scene I knew who Darrell was, but we were both busy working in different bands, so we didn’t know each other personally.”
Aside from his own prodigious musical activities with Mili Nanea and Sugah Daddy, Darrell, a proud father, donates his time to after-school band projects in Kea’au for students in grades four to seven. He strongly believes there’s a need to help all children develop their talents and provide opportunities for them to share their accomplishments.
“Kids today need to be able to express themselves musically, rather than just sitting around watching TV or playing games. It brings me great pleasure to see the joy on their faces after realizing they are capable of achieving musical success.”
Hilo Bound
“I was playing music on Oahu and traveling back and forth to Hilo to play as well, when I got a call to put together a band to play at Hilo International Airport for arriving and departing passengers. I knew Randy would be great to have in the band and we started playing and really enjoying it,” says Darrell.
Christy came into the picture after having worked hard several nights a week at a Hilo establishment, where she played Hawaiian music on the ‘ukulele and sang popular songs. These nights weren’t always pleasant or rewarding but it did instill a strong work ethic and allowed her to hone both her musical and stage skills. “I was working for an hourly wage and learning to be a good communicator while developing a rapport with the audience,” says the former Miss Aloha Hawai‘i and UH Hilo grad. “It was a blessing when I got the call to work with Randy and Darrell.”
During performances at Hilo Airport, they realized that they were not only making sweet music, but they were touching people profoundly and intuiting the visitors’ musical subconscious. Proof is in their guestbook:
“You are all sparkling gifts to me, a memory that both touches and blesses my heart beyond words. Thank-you for sharing your precious gifts with me… how much I needed this beauty, this life, this love overflowing. With your music, with enthusiasm, with humor and open hearts you invite us to a piece of pure Heaven on Earth. May God bless you in all your giving.”
Sunshine on the Horizon…
Like many good things, due to a tanking economy, decreased tourism and state budget cuts, Mili Nanea soon found themselves grounded. “We thought, ‘Ok, that’s pau, so what should we do now?’” says Darrell. “We all realized that we enjoy working with each other and believe in giving back, especially to kids, since they are the future. Christy’s family has a beautiful homestead at Kainaliu Beach near Kona and we thought it would make an ideal location for a Hawaiian Music Camp where everybody can learn both traditional and contemporary music.” At this camp, students can learn guitar, ukulele, bass guitar, and hula and they will also camp under the stars and receive a totally rustic, true Hawaiian experience. (Note: The next camp will take place August 3-7, 2010; see resources below.)
Looking Forward—Imua
With the release of their debut, self-titled CD (July 2010), Mili Nanea will continue bringing their music to many fans, both here in Hawai’i and around the world. Their Hawaiian Music Camp will help insure that Hawaiian music is being perpetuated through three very capable and enthusiastic individuals. Their live performances validate their understanding and expression of Aloha, through their engaging and joyous presentation.
When it was time to say goodbye, with the late afternoon Hilo sun gleaming over the water, I turned and asked Christy, “What exactly does Mili Nanea mean?” Without hesitation, she stood and gracefully began a hula, with a beaming smile and fluttering, lovely hand movements. I knew at this point that sometimes words are not necessary; it’s the Aloha that matters. ❖
Upcoming Mili Nanea Events:
- Twilight at Kalahuipua’a at the Mauna Lani Resort July 24
- Hawaiian Music Camp August 3-7, 2010; hawaiianmusiccamp.com
To Contact Mili Nanea: 808.935.4021; hawaiianmusiccamp@gmail.com
