7/18/03-7/21/03 The Dennis Kamakahi Tour
 
It was great to be with Dennis for the past couple days. I can recall listening to him as a child and in high school, being taken by my parents to the Calvin Simmons Theater to see the Son's of Hawaii. Making the connection, the music that I've been hearing all my life to that point..WOW..that was them. This was the first time I was introduced to the music of another good friend, George Kuo. Both Dennis and George have been very kind to me, sharing thier slack key with me over the years, I consider both of them to be my mentors and teachers.

Our first show was in Santa Cruz at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center and that was Dennis' CD release of his new album "From Father to Son", it is a GREAT album produced by Dennis himself. Earlier in the morning we were on Uncle Vernon's radio program on KKUP! We were about 50 minutes late!! (Ok..I got lost!! and maybe being at the Hukilau til 2:00am had somthing to do with it!!hee!)

The next day we checked in at the hotel room near the Shoreline! We met
everyone for breakfast there...as we entered the special area we ran into
All the Makaha Sons, John, Jerome, and Moon, it was great seeing them..
also Raiatea was there and Mr Sam Choy himself!! The guys from Ten Feet
came in foot by foot ! I remember these guys when they were first starting
out..we used to party together all the time in Hawaii, I'm very proud of
them. Seems they were at the Hukilau the night before playing!! But Dennis
and I were waiting to see our old friend...Miss Universe 1997 Brook Lee.
Finally Brook walks in and she greeted us and we talked story. Sam joined
us and then Robi came along, we had good fun!!

Time to get to the Shoreline, the backstage for the talent was like a mini village!! Basketball Court, ping pong table, full catering trailer, personal assistant, and everyone had there own apartment style dressing room. There had to be at least 10,000 people in attendance. It was so much fun!!

The next day we were at the Little Fox in Redwood city and once again it was a great show!!! What a great venue! Our wonderful hula dancer Jamie joined us and did a couple numbers. She was so graceful.

And last but not least, we had a goiing away party for
Dennis on Monday!! The gang came by for this and we
had a BLAST! Mahalo to the GUAM CREW for coming
out! That's all for now!! Next Stop..Washington DC and
North Carolina!!!

Aloha!
Patrick

 

1