Hawaii Tribune-Herald Island Beat Thursday, September 15, 2016 3 Kalapana ‘Awa Band brings backyard tradition to Palace stage The Kalapana area has long been a hotbed of homegrown Hawaiian music, producing legends such as Uncle Fred Punahoa, Mama Tina Kaapana and the Hui ‘Ohana, a groundbreaking trio comprised of Kaapana’s sons and Punahoa’s nephews, Ledward and Nedward Kaapana, and their cousin, Dennis Pavao. Music also is a family tradition for the Kalapana ‘Awa Band, who kanikapila (play music) every Wednesday night at the market at Uncle’s ‘Awa Club, lower Puna’s favorite gathering place and watering hole. Band members Robert Keli‘iho‘omalu Jr. and Sam Keli‘iho‘omalu are brothers, and the sons of the late Uncle Robert Keli‘iho‘omalu, a Hawaiian cultural icon who started the ‘awa bar on the family’s 8-acre Kaimu property, and his wife, the late singer Philmen “G-Girl” Keli‘iho‘omalu. The others in the band, Glenwood Tolentino, Ikaika Marzo and Ipo Quihano, are extended ‘ohana. “The music that we play is the kind that’ll take you back to the old days, the real roots Hawaiian music. Real Hawaiian music,” said Marzo, a slackkey guitarist and the band’s youngest member. “For me, playing with them, every time we play, it’s like a gift, because I always looked up to them when I was young, watching them play. And now, playing with them, it’s incredible. It’s a dream come true.” The Wednesday night market draws hundreds, locals and tourists alike, making the Kalapana ‘Awa Band perhaps the best-known Hawaiian band that hasn’t released a CD, something Marzo said is in the planning stage. “It’s a blast out there on Wednesday. A lot of people have a lot of fun there,” Marzo said. The band will bring its backyard blend of sweet falsetto harmonies on longtime favorites such as “Green Rose Hula,” “Henehene Kou Aka” and “Kila Kila O Moanaula” to the concert stage of the Palace Theater in Downtown Hilo at 4 p.m. Sunday. Guests will include Aunties Rhoda Kekona and Trudy Kamelamela with kane hula by Uncle Matt Kamelamela and Ku‘ehu Mauga. The show is dedicated to the memory and legacy of Uncle Robert, who passed away last year. “We’re playing music that he loved. It’s a perfect way to showcase Kalapana and also our family,” Marzo said. “The Palace is, to us, something special, kind of like the Grand Ole Opry in Hilo. It’s a big thing for us.” The concert is partially funded through a County of Hawaii grant. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door, available at the Palace box office. Call 934-7010 for credit card orders or more information. Email John Burnett at jburnett@ hawaiitribune-herald.com. By JOHN BURNETT Hawaii Tribune-Herald The Kalapana ‘Awa Band members are, from left, Ipo Quihano, Sam Keli’iho’omalu, Glenwood Tolentino, Robert Keli’iho’omalu Jr. and Ikaika Marzo. Photo: DENISE LAITINEN
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