Hawaiian music in Aotearoa
Cover Image: Masthead of Ka Nupepa Kuokoa published on May 28, 1925.
Aloha Nūhou Monday!
Dear Reader:
Hawaiians traveled all over the world, taking Hawaiian music with them. In the early 1900s, Fred Malulani Beckley Kahea, William Holoua, Lui Thompson Keouli, Tom Hennessey, and Anehila Hobron were playing music on the east coast of America. Robert Akeo, William Smith, Valentine Kawai, John Nieper, and Joseph K. Kauila were playing in far away Shanghai, China. Joe Puni, Mekia Kealakai, Mrs. Kealakai, William Kamoku, John Kamoku, and Francis Kaai were on tour in Europe.
The following article speaks of Ernest Kaai and his group performing to captivated audiences throughout New Zealand.
Image: Ernest Kaai in jacket and bowtie with mandolin. Bishop Museum Archives. SG 114701
Image sharing on social media is welcome. For all other uses please contact Archives@BishopMuseum.org .
Image: “Hauoli ko Nu Kilani i na Mele Hawaii” Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Mei 28, 1925, p. 2
New Zealand’s People Enjoy Hawaiian Music.
A news article published in the Auckland Star on the past 20th of April made it clear that the people of New Zealand are enthusiastic about the Hawaiian music presented in a concert put on by Ernest Kaai and his singing group who are traveling about New Zealand.
When the concert opened at the theater, the interior was decorated with greenery; the inside of the theater was darkened, and when the instruments began to be played and accompanied by the voices of the singers, it was as if the scene being watched was the opening of the light of dawn; and the audience was on bated breath when Aloha ʻOe was sung as the instruments sweetly played.
When the lights were lit, the singers continued to strum their instruments and sing their songs; the scene was just lovely.
There however was one thing that was particularly enjoyed, that being Thelma Kaai’s playing of the guitar and the steel, accompanied by David Kaili and Eddie Kinolau; the audience continued to clap, but the biggest applause came when Thelma Kaai, David Kaili, and Queenie reappeared. Those in the theater were filled with joy and they continued to clap until the trio came out again to play four or five times.
The arrangement by Ernest Kaai of his musicians and so too his singers is something that New Zealand’s people greatly delight in, and they cannot stay at home anytime a concert is given by that singing group.
Image: Queenie Kaili and Thelma Kaai, ca. 1925. Bishop Museum Archives. SP 223179
Image sharing on social media is welcome. For all other uses please contact Archives@BishopMuseum.org .
Image: Queenie Kaili and David Kaili, ca. 1925. Bishop Museum Archives. SP 223178
Image sharing on social media is welcome. For all other uses please contact Archives@BishopMuseum.org .
This post is part of He Aupuni Palapala: Preserving and Digitizing the Hawaiian Language Newspapers, a partnership between Bishop Museum and Awaiaulu with assistance from Kamehameha Schools. Mahalo nui loa to Hawaii Tourism Authority for their support. Learn more about this project here.
