Great Hawaiian music and ono grinds

Aloha,

"Deep into Haiku" is a great little cafe with some of the yummiest food, chillingest atmosphere and the bestest(!) music on the map.

I am talking about a really great way to celebrate making it through Monday. The Hana Hou Cafe, with the fab Hula Honeys playing old style Hawaiian music and talking story with the patrons, is my favorite place to be on a Monday night.

The "Hana Hou Cafe" serves fresh local food, featuring the Maui Cattle Company beef, and fresh fish caught by our Maui fishermen. This is not designer food with two inches of food on the plate, we're talking left overs for lunch the next day. I happen to really love Creme Brulee, and Hana Hou Cafe makes a delicious desert. They also feature live music 5 nights a week. We have many talented musicians on Maui, and it's great to enjoy them in an intimate setting.

Besides ono grinds, patrons are treated to some of the best music in the islands. I really love listening to the Hula Honeys...it takes me back to a simpler, sweeter time. Ginger and Robyn both grew up in Honolulu and were exposed to the music of yesteryear. They sing Hapa/Haole music, swing music and Hawaiian music.


They are funny, engaging and sweet as all heck. Robyn performs hula when the mood strikes, and it is always a treat. On my special birthday a few years back, they played on the back porch. This is what I mean by "chicken skin", a full moon with all my friends and family relaxing and enjoying "back yard" style hula and music. I will always remember that wonderful night.!

Their Bassist Jonathan Drechsler is from New York and has played with many noted musicians. These talented folks are great, I love supporting them, and playing their great cd at breakfast. Their new release will be out soon. A number of guests are excited enough to make it down to the Hana Hou, have dinner, chill out and take their magical music home to the mainland. You can check out the music at The Hula Honeys Hawaiian music web site. Hope you enjoy! Ginger and Robyn also host a great show on Manao Radio.

Aloha for now...looks like a beach afternoon...

Cherie

Music Willie K style

Aloha,

Imagine hearing "chicken skin" Hawaiian music, in Hawaiian and Japanese, funky country western, old style Portuguese music, R&B and opera all performed in one concert by one outrageous entertainer. That was the treat I had today at the local senior community center.

I felt a little bit like an impostor sitting amongst the teeny tiny white hair crowd, until I remembered that I just earned my stripes, and great affordable music in an intimate setting is one of the perks. Local plate lunch on the beautiful grounds followed the concert...what a deal!

Willie Kahaiaili'i, fondly known as Uncle Willie K, was raised on Maui. Inspired by jazz, blues, country and R&B at an early age, Willie K is a musical veteran who performed in his father's band at the early age of 10. He really connects with his audience, talking story and hamming it up on stage. He is a pleasure to watch, and an even greater treat to listen to.

This morning he shared with us his growing interest in opera. A Hawaiian man singing opera is not something one experiences often, unless you are lucky enough to live on Maui. I noticed a few moist eyes in the crowd more than once during this morning's concert.

Willie K is leaving for tour in Germany this Friday. The tour is called Simply Red, and the performance dates were listed on his site as May 5,6,7,9 and 11. If you are lucky enough to make it to his concert, you won't be disappointed. I'm sending this out to my readers in Germany, hope you get a chance to listen to this charismatic island performer.

All for now on this peaceful Hawaiian evening, Aloha, a hui hou.......... and happy almost May Day.

May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii. Bank tellers wear leis, school kids perform hulas for their families. It is very sweet.

Cherie