- Instrumental. Composed by Keoki for Braddah Kimo Kane in ‘95. Accompanied by Braddah Mau (Francis Clayton Mau) playing the guitar in the photo. He would often stop by, unwind after playing at the hotels—kani our taproot music and share food and old stories. “…back in the 70s in Asia. So brah, if we make it[…]
- Instrumental. Inspired by old time Kohala trains. Found an oversized album in the State archives of the train that ran from Waipio/Kukuihaele to Hilo and the train from Mahukona. More cool was pictures of my Tutu Kane—Carter. Pictures of him as the train conductor and people at pick up points along the way. Wearing their[…]
- Instrumental. A good fun time in the studio together. Soft background sounds of Braddah John Keolanui, Marty “Pakini” Halbritter, Yvonne on the ipu and Lock on percussions too.
- Instrumental. Inspired by Pops who sometimes used to hold a thread with his teeth while playing. The big needle hanging from it would bounce off the kī hō‘alu strings to sound like chimes. Different needles—different chimes. He had a a resonator too, when I was small kid, was so heavy, almost couldnʻt lift em. He[…]
- Inspired when dear sweet Naniʻs room was close enough to the deep ocean of Kawaihae—you could hear kohōlā—whales, come to sing and help her on her way. We were gifted with this mele and the honor to share this gift, during her final days. Mahalo Akua.
- Instrumental. Another song of precious remembrance. This for dear lā‘au sister Olga and Kim and his brother. We were blessed to be there and this came for her during the final days of transition. Another mele from the heavens.
- Instrumental. A love song for Volcano. When the mist moves as an entity, to softly shroud all in itʻs path with gentle caresses, we lay there together in awe.
- Instrumental. ‘Ohana Top -Bottom: Tutu Hannah Purdy Carter—Great Grandma & Hiapo to Purdy clan. Center: Honoli‘i clan above bridge. Bottom: Keoki wondering what ancestors would think about the changes, loss & legacy held pa‘a.
- A song of love and gratitude to Mama Louisa who treated us with much kindness and love. I had the blessings of spending the morning with her, down by the ocean; listening to a group of kupuna playing Hawaiian music. She told me, “Keoki, you should go play with them.” ”That would be fun, but I[…]
Keoki:
A new album of originals back to my roots. Growing up with Kī hōʻalu from small kid days, Pops played it, aunties and uncles. And small kid, they said “watch, listen, feel”, and later it was “try”. That was how we learned—like walking— ‘ohana making space to find your own way. Like plenty others. Sounds grew out of home place, easy-kine, natural—backyard, beach, campfire, parlor or carport—where ever we gathered. Thatʻs my roots, Kī hōʻalu—”blood music”. Some people say “soul music”, for me, itʻs “blood music”—mele koko—because it stirs my blood.
Yvonne:
The blessed journey of ups and downs together. Riding waves. Peaks and troughs of sound—songs—all originals that grew out of time and space. Many of these born in loss, sorrow, and remembering the one who passed. And then to feel Keoki puka back out of the pain to beauty. These were songs he held close and precious, rarely played where others could hear on this plane. Songs played to the music room walls, breezes, forest or ocean waves. Keoki was content to leave it at that. As he says, “Yvonne, my dear heart, is the one who made this her hard work and project. Sheʻs the one making it happen.”
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