HONOLULU, HI – Two Hawaiian music legends stopped by the PBS Hawaii studio to talk story and play some music. An impromptu performance from Richard Ho‘opi‘i and George Kahumoku Jr. makes up the latest installment of PBS Hawaii’s traditional Hawaiian music series.
STARS on PBS – Richard Ho’ipi’i and George Kahumoku, Jr., will be featured on Hawai’i Public Television this month. Click to enlarge. (Photo Courtesy PBS)
Na Mele: Richard Ho‘opi‘i and George Kahumoku Jr. premieres Monday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m. on PBS Hawaii. The program will also be available to watch for a limited time on PBSHawaii.org.
The broadcast comes shortly the recent news that both artists have been nominated for 2015 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards.
Between songs, Richard and George trade stories about each composition, and the people associated with them.
George says singer-songwriter Kui Lee gave him his first chance at music when George was 11 years old. George pays tribute to the late singer with a rendition of “I’ll Remember You.”
Before “Puamana,” Richard reminisces about kumu hula Aunty Emma Sharpe. “I was still in grade school in Kahakuloa when I used to view her halau and listen to her beautiful voice and her wonderful musicians,” Richard recalls.
Other songs the duo performs include: “I Ali‘i No ‘Oe,” in honor of Aunty Genoa Keawe; and George’s original composition, “Mohala.”