Hawaii - Jeff Campbell [106]
Royal Hawaiian Center (922-2299; 2201 Kalakaua Ave; schedule varies) This shopping mall may not have oceanfront panache, but you can still find Hawaiian music and hula performances by top island talent here, including by performers from the Polynesian Cultural Center (Click here) in La′ie.
Royal Hawaiian Band (922-5331; www.co.honolulu.hi.us/rhb; Kapi‘olani Park; 2-3pm Sun) Performing classical music from the monarchy era, Hawaii’s ‘official’ band takes over the Kapi‘olani Bandstand on Sunday afternoons. It’s a quintessential island scene that caps off with the audience joining hands and singing Queen Lili′uokalani’s ‘Aloha ′Oe.’ Other concerts around O′ahu include at ′Iolani Palace (Click here).
Bars & Lounges
For more spring-break party spots and dive bars, hit Kuhio Ave after dark.
Diamond Head Cove Health Bar (732-8744; 3045 Monsarrat Ave; 10am-8pm Mon, Fri & Sat, to midnight Tue-Thu & Sun) Why rot your guts with the devil’s brew when you can chill-out with a coconut-husk bowl of ′awa (kava), Polynesia’s spicy, mildly intoxicating elixir made from the Piper methysticum plant? Local musicians jam here some nights.
Lewers Lounge (923-2311; Halekulani, 2199 Kalia Rd; 7:30pm-midnight) Waikiki as an aristocratic playground is kept alive at this sophisticated lounge. Cocktails are made from scratch using fresh (not canned) juices, including tropical lychee and ginger. Smooth-jazz combos serenade most nights.
The Shack (921-2255; Waikiki Trade Center, 2255 Kuhio Ave; cover free-$10; 11am-4am) If you’re wondering where Waikiki’s hotel bartenders go after their shifts, check out this tiki-esque sports bar with huge TVs, a waterfall and live music most Wednesday to Saturday nights, often ‘Jawaiian’ island reggae groups.
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ISLAND SOUNDS
You might be surprised to learn that some of Hawaii’s leading local musicians play regular gigs at Waikiki’s resort hotels and bars. Here are some stars to watch out for.
Jake Shimabukuro – The ‘Jimi Hendrix of the uke’ has been lured away from the islands by record companies, but sometimes plays live shows in his hometown, Honolulu.
Henry Kapono – This Kapahulu-born singer-songwriter is O′ahu’s renaissance man, putting out innovative Hawaiian rock albums since the 1970s.
Brothers Cazimero – The O′ahu-born, Hawaiian heritage–conscious duo (12-string guitar and bass) played in Peter Moon’s legendary Sunday Manoa band in the early ’70s.
Kapena – The group Kapena may not have won O′ahu’s high-school battle of the bands back in the day, but founding member Kelly Boy De Lima is a ukulele star.
Jerry Santos and Olomana – Traditional and contemporary ukulele and falsetto performers from Windward O′ahu have been performing for decades.
Martin Pahinui – The son of late slack key master Gabby Pahinui is a gifted vocalist and often performs with guitarist George Kuo and former Royal Hawaiian Band leader Aaron Mahi.
Keawe ′Ohana – Some say the granddaughter of the late great ha′i (high falsetto) singer Genoa Keawe sounds just like Genoa in her younger days.
Sam Kapu III – Part of a musical dynasty, Sam Kapu performs traditional ukulele music and contemporary three-part harmonies with his trio.
Po′okela – A contemporary trio fronted by Honolulu-born slack-key artist Greg Sardinha, who studied with the late great steel-guitar player Jerry Byrd.
Makana – An O′ahu-born singer-songwriter who studied guitar with Sonny Chillingworth and is a leading proponent of slack key fusion rock.
Ka′ala Boys – At the moment, they’re Honolulu’s fave ‘Jawaiian’ island reggae group.
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Yard House (923-9273; 226 Lewers St; 11am-1am) The busiest bar on Waikiki Beach Walk, this raucous mainland chain with big-screen sports TVs pours gigantic glasses of microbrewed draft beer made in North America, Europe and around the Hawaiian Islands – Big Swell IPA or Mehana Volcano Red, anyone? The classic-rock soundtrack never dies.
Da Big Kahuna (923-0333; 2299 Kuhio Ave; 7am-4am)