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Your help is needed to save a life!

6/24/2014

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PLEASE KŌKUA (help)!!! Glenn Duran, father of Erica Gideon - Richard Gideon’s wife (“Richie” of Maunalua fame) has suffered a series of sudden heart attacks, to the point where his heart is now functioning at 5% or less. Over a period of several days recently, he has repeatedly gone into cardiac arrest. Fortunately medical staff were able to  “shock” him back to life, but this can’t continue indefinitely. He has been given two choices: insertion of an LVAD (left ventricular assistive device) that will save his life  until a heart transplant can be done, or going to hospice - essentially giving up and waiting to die.

The latter is not an option. An easy going, fun-loving, yet humble man, Glenn’s family and friends are his life. At only 60 years old, he is the father of three, grandfather of seven, and “uncle” to countless numbers. A building engineer and carpenter by trade, “Uncle Glenn” is universally loved by family, friends, coworkers, bosses – everyone. As a building engineer some years ago, when faced with the layoff of all the men working under him but asked to stay on without them, he declined. He didn’t feel it was right or fair for him to stay while everyone else was losing their livelihood. No matter where he has worked, Uncle Glenn has quickly risen through the ranks as his bosses witness his dedication and skill. And he doesn’t just do his job – he loves to teach others and share his knowledge, showing co-workers the tricks of the trade with hands-on demonstrations while they work.

In short, Uncle Glenn has a huge heart that he shares with everyone – and now he needs our help to repair that heart. The LVAD procedure he needs is not available here in Hawaiʻi – he must fly to the mainland to receive it, and he must receive it immediately. He survived  an emergency interim procedure designed to help him survive the travel to Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego, but he must be transported by a special MediVac unit with experienced medical personnel on board. The cost for the transportation alone is $79,000 – this doesn’t include the cost of the procedure itself or the hospital stay. There will also be expenses for his wife Maria (and possibly other family) to travel with him and stay in San Diego where the procedure will be done.  Insurance will only cover a portion of the procedure.

A donation site has been set up to assist with expenses – the most immediate need is for the MediVac transportation (as of this writing, he was scheduled to fly out on Friday June 27 - pending full payment). Please help – NO AMOUNT IS TOO SMALL!                                  Www.youcaring.com/GlennDuran


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Glenn with daughter Erica
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West Coast Dennis Kamakahi Tribute Tour Featuring David Kamakahi, Herb Ohta, Jr., Jon Yamasato, Stephen Inglis, and Patrick Landeza

6/24/2014

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L-R: Jon Yamasato, Herb Ohta, Jr., David Kamakahi, Stephen Inglis, Patrick Landeza
The Reverend Dennis Kamakahi spent a brief 61 years among us, but in that time he gave us the immortal gift of his music. In the spirit of kōkua (assistance) and ho`omaika`i (to give thanks and blessings), five of his musical protégés will perform a series of fundraising concerts, with all proceeds going directly to the Kamakahi family. All five musicians are Nā Hōkū Hanohano award winners (Hawaiʻi’s Grammy® awards):

David Kamakahi follows in his father’s footsteps with his varied musical pursuits. He is a recording artist, music instructor (ʻukulele), producer, songwriter, and multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winner for his debut solo album Pa’ani and for his work as part of the popular trio Waipuna. He also recently won a Nā Hōkū Award with Herb Ohta, Jr. in the Instrumental Composition of the Year category for their song “Napili Bay,”

`Ukulele virtuoso Herb Ohta, Jr. is a long-time friend of the family and benefited from Dennis Kamakahi’s mentorship along with that of his father, Ohta-San. Considered one of today’s most prolific ʻukulele masters, he has over 50 recordings to his credit, including ten solo albums and eleven duets. He has won multiple Nā Hōkū Awards as well as Hawaiʻi Music Awards. He is also an accomplished producer, composer, and instructor, having taught such noted musicians as Brittni Paiva and Jake Shimabukuro.

Jon Yamasato, who was trained by Dennis Kamakahi on slack key guitar, began his career as the lead singer for the 5 time Nā Hōkū Award-winning trio Pure Heart (with Lopaka Colon and Jake Shimabukuro). He has recorded and performed throughout the U.S. and Japan with acts such as Herb Ohta, Jr., Na Oiwi, David Kamakahi, Darin Leong, and Justin Young. He has released several solo albums, and has also produced other bands. He is the creator of HI Sessions, a popular live music TV series featuring a variety of Hawaiʻi’s top musicians.

Slack key guitarist Patrick Landeza met and was mentored by Kamakahi in the early 1990s, and continued to tour with him over the next twenty years. He was the first mainland born artist to win a Nā Hōkū Award – in 2013 for his album Slack Key Huakaʻi. A singer-songwriter, he has released 7 solo albums; teaches slack key guitar classes; and over the years has produced mainland concerts featuring many of Hawaiʻi’s top musicians.

“Guitar slinger” Stephen Inglis was a student and friend of Kamakahi. Their album Waimaka Helelei took top honors in the Slack Key Album of the Year category in 2012 – an album that is on permanent display at the Smithsonian Museum of American History. A highly-regarded slack key guitar player and singer-songwriter, Stephen has released 7 albums, is a Grammy® nominee, and has won both Nā Hōkū and Hawaiʻi Music Awards.  His music has been featured in film and television 

Dennis Kamakahi spoke of performance as giving “life” to songs. With this series of memorial concerts, may those who loved him and his music come together to celebrate and honor the greatest and most prolific composer of Hawaiian music in contemporary times. E ola mau kōna mau mele – let his songs live!

Here is the tour schedule:

Wednesday, July 30 – Seattle, WA
(Royal Room, 5000 Rainier Ave South)
Show: 7:30pm, Tix: $20
Tickets available online  

Thursday, July 31 – Eugene, OR 
(Cozmic Pizza, 199 W 8th)
Show: 8:00pm, Tix: $20
Tickets available at the door or online via Ticket Biscuit

Friday, Aug 1 –  Concord, CA 
(The Cue, 1835 Colfax St.)
Show: 7:30pm (Doors: 7pm), Tix: $30
Tickets available online or call (510) 423-3051


Saturday, August 2 – Berkeley, CA (Freight and Salvage, 2020 Addison St)
Show:  8:00pm Tix: $37/adv $41/door
Tickets available online or by calling (510) 644-2020

Sunday, August 3 – Felton (Santa Cruz), CA (Don Quixote’s International Music Hall, 6275 Hwy 9)
Show: 2:00pm, Tix: $20
Tickets available online   

Sunday, August 3 - Redwood City, CA (Club Fox, 2209 Broadway)
Show: 8:00pm Tix: $25 adv, $30 door (21 and over only)
Tickets available online or by calling (877) 435-9849 

Saturday, October 18 – Whittier, CA (Ruth B. Shannon Center, 13406 E. Philadelphia St.)
Show: 8:00pm Cost: $50
Tickets available online or at the Box Office at (562) 907-4203.   (Tickets on sale July 10, 2014)
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NOTE: If you are unable to attend any of these concerts but would still like to help the Kamakahi family, donations can be made by clicking on the word “DONATE” at the top of the Team Dennis website; by visiting any Bank of Hawai‘i branch and making a monetary gift payable to “The Rev. Dennis Kamakahi Fund”; or by mailing a check payable to “The Rev. Dennis Kamakahi Fund” to: 
 
                  Bank of Hawaii
                  PO Box 2900
                  Honolulu, HI  96846 

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Services and Celebration of Life Announced for Hawaiian Music Legend Dennis Kamakahi

6/9/2014

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Services and a celebration of life for the late Dennis Kamakahi have been set for July 5, 2014. Below is the announcement by the family – photograph policies and parking information will be updated on the Team Dennis Kamakahi website. 

In keeping with Dennis’s wishes for donations in lieu of flowers, monetary donations to help pay for expenses are gratefully accepted. All remaining contributions will be donated to a Kamehameha Schools scholarship fund in his name. 

Donations can be made by clicking on the word “DONATE” at the top of the Team Dennis website; by visiting any Bank of Hawai‘i branch and making a monetary gift payable to “The Rev. Dennis Kamakahi Fund”; or by mailing a check payable to “The Rev. Dennis Kamakahi Fund” to: 
 
                                             Bank of Hawaii
                                             PO Box 2900
                                             Honolulu, HI  96846 

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REVEREND DENNIS DAVID KAHEKILIMAMAOIKALANIKEHA KAMAKAHI

Reverend Dennis David Kahekilimamaoikalanikeha Kamakahi, legendary Hawaiian musician and prolific song writer, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, kahu, kumu, friend and mentor, passed away peacefully at The Queen's Medical Center on April 28, 2014 at age 61, surrounded by family and close friends. The music of Gabby Pahinui and the Sons of Hawaii was playing in the background. 

Born to Clara Aweau Ing and Kenneth Franklyn Kamakahi on March 31, 1953 in Honolulu.  Survived by:  wife, Robin; sons, James and David; daughter, Marlene; granddaughters, Michele and Ariana; mother, Clara Ing St. Clair; brother, Jeffrey.  A 1971 graduate of Kamehameha Schools, he received numerous awards and was most proud of being a member of the Sons of Hawaii and the first modern Hawaiian composer to have his six-string guitar accepted into the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in 2013. 

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 5, 2014 at the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Memorial Chapel at Kamehameha Schools:  visitation 8:30 am; service 10:00 am.  No flowers please. 

A Celebration of Dennis' Life will follow at the Great Lawn of the Bishop Museum; entry at 12 noon; pule and food served at 12:30pm.  More information will be made available, including parking details, at www.teamdenniskamakahi.com


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    Author

    Originally from California, Iʻve lived on Oʻahu for a number of years. Music has always been my passion and Iʻm fortunate to be able to work with and support many of Hawaiʻiʻs musicians. For such a tiny speck in the middle of a very large ocean, we have an amazing wealth of talent  here! 
    ~Lynn

    Note: The purpose of this blog is to provide information about (mostly) music-related things. It is not a forum in which people should feel free to insult or otherwise badmouth musicians or anyone else. You are welcome to comment, but please be respectful, pono, and write with aloha. (Comments that don’t meet these guidelines will be deleted.)  Mahalo nui loa!


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