March 5 – Kihei, Ukelele Sing-a-long
“I remember when I was just in high school and you could see the flares, and the smoke and bombs dropping nearby on Kaho’olawe (island). It is amazing that the US military was actually bombing it just 50 years ago.” recounts the main song leader for the evening. “We would wear T-shirts with a big bullseye on the them to protest. They finally stopped the bombing after the Hawaiian activist movement (in the 1970’s). I guess we know better now and so can do better.”
Every Thursday night in Kihei, for the past 17 years the local Keolahou Congregational Hawaiian Church hosts a free Ukelele sing-a-along with Hula dancers. It is also a time for the local community to sing traditional songs (most were in Native Hawaiian) dance Hula, and to begin and end with Hawaiian chants.
We pick up a thick well-loved sing-a-long book (Just like the ones I have made and handed out for campfires and christmas caroling). These songs move from chants to translated Church hyms to protest songs like the “Hawaii ’78” with phrases such as:
“If just for one day our king and queen could visit these islands and saw everything / How would they feel about the changes of our land…”
Most sing the lyrics from memory – they are the songs most everyone seems to already know. There is some call and response to help guide you and there is laughter and smiles.
Everyone on stage stands and holds hands as we sing Hawaiian Soul
“Hawaiian soul
How could you leave us
You’ve not been lost at sea
You’re only wandering
Hawaiian soul
We sing your melody
And send them out to sea
You know the harmony”
Stories are shared guest performers are welcomed and it is a night of joy and celebration. Local musician Anthony Pfluke is the star tonight. He is on the radio and has stopped in since he has a concert this Sunday. During the break he shares a new ballad he has written about the island of Kalo’olawe and the thanks he gives to all of those who fought for Hawaiian rights before him. His ukelele playing and singing is heavenly. I can see by the reverence given to him by his elders that they are proud that he is keeping the Hawaiian language alive and adding to their strong cultrual traditions.
It wont be long until his songs are added to the sing-a-long book.
Siri and David Adventures 