Ledward Kaʻapana and Family (full episode) | NĀ MELE

On most Friday evenings, slack key artist Ledward Kaʻapana gets together with his neighbors to share potluck dishes, laughter and music. For Ledward, it’s a tradition that goes back to his younger days in Kalapana on the island of Hawaii. “When I was growing up, we used to have kani ka pila…everybody sit down and enjoy, listen to music,” Ledward remembers. This special Na Mele features Ledward and his sisters Lei Aken, Lehua Nash, and Rhoda Kekona, playing their music in Ledward’s garage. Ledward’s falsetto voice leads off with “Nani,” and Lei, Lehua and Rhoda take vocal solos on “Kanohe,” “Kalapana” and “Holei.” Sit back and enjoy!
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#hawaii #kalapana #music

[@rudyramirezjr2309]

Timestamps (Thank you PBS Hawai'i!) 0:00 - Introduction 1:38 - Nani 6:14 - 'A Musical Ohana' 7:21 - Kaneohe 10:15 - 'Living Kalapana Style' 10:45 - Kalapana, Hawai'i 15:37 - 'Sharon' 15:54 - Holei 22:28 - 'Jus' Press' 23:04 - Jus' Press: 12th Street Rag and Sweet Georgia Brown/Outro

[@qaschmeeps]

It's seven years later and I'm seeing this for the first time! This is incredible! What a wonderful and talented family with a rich and beautiful story!

[@a.duncan6791]

High blood pressure? Stressed over politics? Worried about the economy? Listen to this simple, joyous celebration of island life and see how your life changes faster than you can swallow a pill. Beautiful people, beautiful life, and beautiful music. What else is there?

[@hbmauijim]

Love PBS Hawaii. Leeward & family are wonderful musicians…the music is beautiful. Led is a beautiful person - love seeing him playing slack key in HI airports waiting for flights❣️🌺

[@pldilliner9490]

Aloha guys… those were the good old days and hearing you brings so many warm thoughts of my husband & I strolling down Kalakaua one evening and heard his cousin, Boyce’s voice from one of the many nite spots. This was early 1960’s. So many talented musicians, fond memories and nite spots we enjoyed thank you so much.. you bless us with your amazing talents. Aloha, Lei .. Kailua

[@tautalagalaauli6500]

LEDWARD im a samoan musician right but in my days in samoa i used to played music in a band with my uncle and he's a blind guy and the owner of band ripped us off every night after we finished playing but i still remember those brothers way back in those days that never forget DENNISE n JOHNY AH YEK and that biss me off with music up till now k but YOU'RE MY FAN LEDWARD YOU KEEP ME ALIVE mate thanks godbless you and your family BRO frmNZ

[@patriciayomes8800]

It’s so nice to b Hawaiian.,,,,listening to Hawaiian Music touches your Soul

[@MrBagley55]

I bought my first Kaapana album on Oahu about 1979. Vinyl.Still have it in my treasure trove of Hawaiiana

[@patriciayomes8800]

They are all good with their talents--truly Hawaiians at heart

[@johnaustinkaohelaulii8224]

There’s one moment in my life that I’m very upset was not recorded, my uncle came in to borrow the ukulele and went outside and started singing with my grandma. It was like a calling, I saw my other family members coming up with their guitars and basses. I came out to a sea of family playing and singing together. I had my piano out there and joined in. I remember crying and singing and I never usually sing when playing piano at all, but moments like that just move you. The harmony, the wind, the light rain, the sun, the music, first time we was all in tune 🤣🤣. I’ll never get a moment like that again, even though we tried in 2018. It’s hard to get a feeling like that, and you can only get it in Hawaii.

[@aphillips1987]

i could listen to this all day (and i do).

[@darrenm9597]

So beautiful Makes me tear up listening Made me realize I need more to heal my soul

[@Sooz-po7xk]

This music warms my soul! Mahalo! Mahalo!

[@astralplainer]

The spirit of Ahola and Ohana in one place. It's really a privilege to live in Hawai'i and listen to this!

[@antoniopastore5094]

wonderful execution,of traditional hawayan song...Mr Kaapana is a great...!!

[@patricklee780]

Their music is absolute genius and a gift from spirit.

[@wilsonganir8632]

Very, Very Gifted Musicians...God bless you Ledward & family.. Mahalo for sharing... Wilson Ganir

[@robertmiyahira6168]

M

[@tavitamuelu8610]

Never get tired of listening to you guys. Thanks for sharing

[@paulllewellyn2836]

Led is on the short list of my favorite living guitarists. He is a master and maestro.

[@bobbobsin794]

Takes the Garage Band idea to another level. all kinds of aloha!

[@TheMightyJoolz]

I come back to this every now and then.... You guys are great 🙌 Best wishes 🤙

[@patriciayomes8800]

I’ve listened to Hawaiian music since I was a little girl n have never heard such a beautiful family sing so heavenly together!

[@danalorenzo1478]

hiki no! maika'i loa Ledward,I can listen to your music Everyday!! aloha mau ke Akua,,sista Dana

[@sybiolaserrao4333]

Beautiful ❤️❤️❤️ love it. Bring me back beautiful memories of Oahu. I don't speak Hawaiian but love their music so much. I say. I am a Latina who is in love with Hawaii. Aloha. Mahalo for sharing this music with the world.

[@ambrosiapualoke2527]

I grew up listening to this music. Kalapana is still my favorite song.

[@onehunga-eq6wm]

Aloha from NZ, thoroughly enjoy it and i wish your family a long life for those God given gifts to you all to continue to entertain and heal the sick. God Bless,Fa'afetai Lava

[@LOCOGRIND]

My heart shakes listening to the beautiful voices, keep it coming!

[@kuhia123]

Aloha, I enjoy listening to Led and his ohana sing together, they have the true Hawaiian music. I just got to know Ledward when I first show him at Honey's in Kaneohe, he has so much Aloha and that is what I saw in him...🌺🤙🌺 Then I had the pleasure of meeting his sister Lehua is when Ledward came to California to play at a concert, which it was a successful one as always, loved it and mahalo Ledward for sharing your aloha and family with all of us....hope to see you soon....🌺🤙🌺🙏💝🌴

[@matthewpark5167]

Keakua bless you all .... true beauty... true love.. truly ...KANAKA MAOLI !!!!! LIVE LONG , PROSPER AND THRIVE US HAWAIIANS!!!!!!!,🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽

[@lindahaskins6815]

Jerry & Linda Haskins we hung out in 1969 - 1970 at black sand beach with Jr. and Jackie Kaluna, were is Jr. now? Obed & Christina, Edward & Ledward, Pipe, and the rest of the Pahoa Boys. We have your album made in 1969 or so. And we still love your music. God has gifted you all with such blessings and it is so wonderful you shared your gift of music with us on that beautiful black sand beach in Pahoa. Blessing and Love from Jerry & Linda Haskins

[@bigeutah7741]

The one and only hands down.

[@littlewalter44]

I've watched this countless times, and love it. Thank you Ledward and family!

[@leyniaLip]

absolutely gorgeous. Also the most lovely Holei I have ever heard.

[@patriciayomes8800]

Remembering my childhood days of Hawaiian music

[@17025601]

Was vacationing on Kaua'i when Pele was taking back Kalapana. Nightly news pictures saddened everybody. This video is so special. Mahalo.

[@BraddaDPaivaDboy]

Love the backyard sessions, reminds me of the days when my family had theirs on the back porch, with the spoons, beer bottles, dog chain, and the washtub pikini bass my grandfather use to play. God I miss those days, especially all of them who's no longer here physically but in heart always spiritually. The generation of my dads to my grandparents would just come together out in Papaikou, Big Island. -Music would just bring everybody together and play their hearts out, and they made such beautiful music yet some was so funny watching some of my uncles TRYING to sing a song when stay all BOBO from drinking their beverage, made up words yet making the song comedy entertainment. I was about 9-10yrs old, some of my uncles (blood) relatives and not but out of respect, everybody was Aunty and Uncle, one big family. The music just brought everyone close as One Big Family, and this was mostly every weekend. -Miss those days, I miss my family, -all those who went home to be with Our Lord.

[@Kumutuna]

I have no ties to kalapana but that songs just touches the soul

[@patriciayomes8800]

Beautiful family/singing

[@patriciayomes8800]

They have so much Aloha in their singing takes Me back to my gramma

[@hagstruan1140]

When Rhoda Kekona (lady in the white shirt) starts singing, she will wake you up. What a voice.

[@jamesmcmurray451]

I always forget it's her singing and it gets me every time. Don't sleep on big mama.

[@joncartwright6256]

!!!!! Love it!

[@beutilisious]

Maholo nui you guys thanks for posting Kani ka pila sesions just love the sessions ohana peace and love.

[@patriciayomes8800]

Nice! Reminds me of my grandma’s days

[@wjc1952]

This is an awesome film about an amazing 'ohana, one full of talent, but mostly full of aloha. Jus' Press!

[@kkpaine]

Certainly are siblings: same/same features. Great kanikapila.

[@debbiebruce875]

I loved this so very much. There are no words to describe the magic of your music. I am so very grateful you share it with us. Mahalo. Much Aloha!

[@paulakula5121]

awesome..

[@kainoaappleton7055]

Lovely

[@tielifuifatu2142]

Ledward is a hawaiian legend good on you mate its ur talent from God kp it up God bless you Ledward Kalapana lm an island musicians too

[@ritakopetzky4362]

VERY NICE MUSIC....LOVE THESE VERY MUCH...

[@edithquinn3250]

This group is very talented! I am Spanish! But I adore the Hawaiian 🌺 Music! The music is like Honey to your senses! I want to say thank you for sharing your beautiful Hawaiian Melodies! 🎶 🎵 🎼 🎵 🎶 🎵🎶.

[@therightsound7547]

thats some pretty music

[@salesifonua4867]

I crying 🥰🇹🇴🇳🇿

[@mataniutagoai5173]

Wow it's so amazing.i like to hear the story from this people.it would be of their talent .each of generations related to the family.❤️

[@paulblaesing4615]

The music is just so beautiful it makes my eyes tear up, and I am trying to learn some slack key guitar. Thanks for posting it! Wish you and your much happiness.

[@ericAlohaMoanaWaves]

beautiful. amen.

[@manuelaestevinhagonc]

aloha from Ericeira, Portugal... love your music :)

[@MrFanEsepwon]

beautiful.!

[@sunsets619]

Jus' press!!

[@YvonE5]

🎶🎶Blessed Ohana 🌺

[@rayarmendariz9063]

mea kealoha -Jus pres !

[@rowickhaili1749]

I love my ohana maika'i kela 💯❤️

[@patriciayomes8800]

Beautiful family n beautiful music. It was their parents that taught their children love of Hawaiian music. Are u related?

[@jamesraymor]

10:16 Kalapana is an area so quiet and serene Where families never use the word mean Togetherness was practiced both day and night Kaimu to us is a beautiful sight Ooh… Ooh… Ooh… Ooh... The road at one time was gravel and cinder If hungry you could go to any house for dinner All homes were open then for people in need We despise them that show selfishness and greed Coconuts are split in half for the pigs Beat the husk and wait for the break of twigs They roam the place and move very slow For who’s going to bother them hey’ll squeal and we’ll know Kalapana is an area so quiet and serene Where families never use the word mean Togetherness was practiced both day and night Kaimu to us is a beautiful sight Ooh… Ooh… Ooh… Ooh… Pahoa is a town ‘bout thirteen miles away Most families go there especially on payday Produce is measured by pounds and not by kilo Just continue on and you’ll end up in Hilo Kalapana is an area so quiet and serene Where families never use the word mean Togetherness was practiced both day and night Kaimu to us is a beautiful sight Ooh… Ooh… Ooh… Ooh… Kalapana is an area so quiet and serene Kalapana is an area so quiet and serene

[@dorthymcbride3384]

Mahalo ohana! Me ke Aloha pumehana❤❤😊

[@dashcamberend1440]

Dit is hail mooi !!

[@gotahvcls]

Oh BOY, your song of Kalapana strikes to my heart and to your famiy memories. Bravo and kisses to the ladies. jc from Oregon.

[@christopherking52]

Such beautiful Ki Ho’alu. I sometimes play this beautiful music in the background whilst I'm doing other things, this music makes me happy, (one of my favourites is Ledward Kaapana, especially with his family or Fran Guidry e.g. Opihi Moemoe and Salomila). There are so many other favourite genres I like such as Cajun (e.g. High Life Cajun Band), Zydeco (e.g. Lisa Haley and The Zydekats), Bluegrass (e.g. The Petersens), Hillbilly (e.g. The Hillbilly Gypsies), Mountain Music (e.g. Mainers Mountaineers), Dixie Music (e.g. The Carter Family), Country Music (e.g. Willie Nelson, Randy Travis, Merle Haggard, Rosanne Cash etc) Australian Country Music (e.g. Troy Cassar-Daley, Lee Kernaghan etc.) Oklahoma Country Music (e.g.The Tractors), Beautiful Indonesian Music (e.g.Ismail Marzuki, Gamelan meets Orchestra), Beautiful Ambient Music (e.g. Fridrick Karlssen), English Folk Blues (e.g. Pete Stanley and Wizz Jones), American Blues (e.g. Leadbelly (Midnight Special) and Hoyt Axton (Cocaine) Big Bill Broonzy (Guitar Shuffle), I also like Reggae (e.g. Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff etc) ... and a polar opposite, I also love Chinese and Taiwanese Music (Jessica Ho, MUSA, OctoEast, Teresa Teng etc.) there are two singers called Jessica Ho, I think one is Korean but it's the Chinese one I like, she sings songs such as Wo Ai Ni. I also like many other singers such as Elvis (e.g. The Trilogy), Rod Stewart (e.g. The First Cut is the Deepest), Fats Domino (e,g, Blueberry Hill), Paul Anka (e.g. Oh Carol/Lonely Boy etc),, Helen Shapiro (e.g. Walking Back To Happiness etc), Max Merritt and the Meteors (e.g.Slippin' Away From Me), Billy Fury (e.g. Half Way to Paradise), Eddie Cochran (e.g. Three Steps to Heaven), Buddy Holly (e.g. Words of Love), The Beatles (e.g. Love Me Do/Hey Jude), Manfred Mann (e.g. Do Wah Diddy Diddy), The Hollies (e.g. Carrie Anne), The Everly Brothers (e.g. All I Have to Do is Dream), The Eagles (e.g. Take it to the Limit/Hotel California) The Shirelles (e.g. Will you still love me tomorrow), Fleetwood Mac (e.g. Don't Stop/Go Your Own Way) etc. and loads more, too many to mention. My very favourite Album is called 'To all the Girls' and it's full of beautiful duets, Willie Nelson and some of the best female singers such as Sheryl Crow, Rosanne Cash. Carrie Underwood, Norah Jones, Tina Rose and Brandi Carlyle etc. Out of all my above favourites, Hawaiin Slack Key is right up there near the top.

[@patriciayomes8800]

They getting wet! True musicians! Nothing stops them. All the sisters play good.

[@hareshkamdar7417]

Bless you. Be there. Keep Hawaii Happy! - श्री कृष्ण 😊💐

[@pacificole]

Mahalo!

[@davidhumphreys1422]

Glad this didn't stay in the garage :)

[@jennifers6435]

🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

[@bronz12]

U'i na mele

[@konasteph]

I remember driving down into Kalapana the church that had been rescued from the Lava was on the left still sitting up on timbers....

[@EdieHinz-vx7kf]

Mahalo

[@geraldakina6338]

I all the Ohana and I will be home soon much Aloha

[@diamondintheroughcreations1813]

GET'UM ANAKE RODA!!!

[@nalanikuluwaimaka8451]

Hope this is the right one Cuz

[@faepmagn7]

I get chicken skin listening to this.

[@selenarosa4021]

J'"

[@jerusalemhoover7529]

4 t Y

[@calindesigns6565]

Skills with the strings - excellent. Voices - omg pure crap 😁😁😁

[@miata2]

My neighbor was away...turned on my favourite type of music...turned the volume REALLY high... : )...and was blown away--mahalo GT ! Planning to listen to more when I finish this!! Just super...I needed this to remind me of happier days!! Mission accomplished!!

[@renea.m.schell6511]

Mahalo for this wonderful music, the great sounds of Hawaii and culture. I love it and can listen to you all for hours. ALOHA my dear friends.

[@Wane_96792]

Love it, Love it, Love it......this video is awesome 👌 👏 🙌 🤙🤙🤙🤙🤙🤙🤙🤙🤙🤙

[@Wane_96792]

Mahaaaaalllllooooooo

[@komachimama]

Thank you so much for posting this Mr.Kaapana's amazing video.What a happy　and heart-warming OHANA！♪

[@zvonimirtarnik197]

Love it. Aloha from Croatia !!!

[@patriciayomes8800]

Beautiful family n music.

[@pichustyle]

Mahalo for posting this beautiful video of Hawaii music makers.

[@bobphoebe1]

Nahenahe

[@EdieHinz-vx7kf]

I'm listening to this in Australia and the Memory of visiting all the Island

[@sydround]

Musical legends felt the soul

[@MarkGrant69]

Cool jam session :)

[@teddykerr7408]

very good music

[@patriciayomes8800]

Lady with hat look rugged! They all good

[@TheHanso1961]

The way u play and sing touch my soul 😊😊🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@raiderfrankdatank]

das nyc

[@myronyoshioka8742]

miss my Kaimu home

[@antoniopastore5094]

Alto professionismo. RIVISITAZIONE DELLA MITICA MUSICA hAWAIANA...

[@hirokelley9483]

Mauruuru from Moorea Tahiti.