"Waimanalo Blues" Henry Kapono, Israel Kamakawiwoʻole, Cyril Pahinui, Roland Cazimero

Hawaiian activists and composers Thor Wold and Liko Martin originally wrote this song as “Nanakuli Blues.” But when local band Country Comfort recorded it for their 1974 album We are the Children, the group localized the song as a political protest about the development taking place all around them in Hawai'i. ”This classic recording of Waimanalo Blues at an old Hawaiian homestead on Oahu in fall of 1991 features Henry Kapono (from the right), Cyril Pahinui, Israel "Iz" Kaʻanoʻi Kamakawiwoʻole and Roland Cazimero. Video Copyright Kurt Meyer -Team Meyer Productions
Behind this recording: Henry Kaaihue Kapono asked Roland Cazimero, Israel "Iz" Kamakawiwo'ole and Cyril Pahinui to record "Waimanalo Blues (Nanakuli Blues)" Aloha 'Oe and his Hawaiian mele ku'e "Broken Promise" (song of protest). This music video rendition of Waimanalo Blues (Nanakuli Blues) was featured on "Kapono & Friends" a television special about Hawaiian sovereignty.
Artist Bio:
Henry Kapono Ka'aihue is an award winning and Grammy nominated singer/songwriter. He has numerous Na Hoku Hano Hano Awards (Hawaii's equivalent of the Grammy's) including Male Vocalist of the Year, Song of the Year, Single of the Year, and Album of the Year.
Cyril Pahinui, the son of musical legend, Gabby Pahinui, is, in his own right, one of Hawai‘i’s most gifted guitarists and singers. Cyril has twice played at Carnegie Hall, has contributed to three Grammy Award-winning albums, received several Hoku Hanohano Awards, and recorded on more than 35 Hawaiian musical releases.
Israel "Iz" Kaʻanoʻi Kamakawiwoʻole "Bruddah Iz". His voice became famous outside Hawaii when his album Facing Future was released in 1993. His medley of "Somewhere over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" was subsequently featured in several films, television programs, and television commercials. Through his skillful ukulele playing and incorporation of other genres (such as jazz and reggae), Kamakawiwoʻole's music remains a very strong influence in Hawaiian music. He was also a founding member of the famous Makaha Sons of Niʻihau.
Roland Cazimero, the guitar playing half of the Brothers Cazimero. The Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts (HARA) has honored the Cazimeros with 25 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards. Roland has also received individual Hoku Awards as solo artist.
Behind the movement: The Hawaiian sovereignty movement (ke ea Hawai'i) is a political movement seeking some form of sovereignty for Hawai'i. Generally, the movement's focus is on self-determination and self-governance for people of whole or part native Hawaiian ancestry or, in some cases, for "Hawaiian nationals", without regard to ancestry. Some groups advocate redress from the United States for the 1893 overthrow of Queen Liliʻuokalani, and for what is seen as a prolonged military occupation beginning with the 1898 annexation. The movement generally views both the overthrow and annexation as illegal, and holds the U.S. government responsible. The historical and legal basis for these claims is one of considerable dispute. While groups that comprise the movement share common concerns, their views on solutions vary greatly, ranging from establishing of some form of "Nation within a Nation" government (similar to some Native American tribes), to reparations from the US government for historical grievances and an end to American military presence, to outright independence from the US.
Video Copyright Kurt Meyer Team Meyer Productions

[@cyrilpahinui]

right after this, while we had beef stew the termites grind on the walls

[@KurtMeyer]

Glad you enjoyed it Mahalo I was going through some old boxes of my videotapes and found this Master reel. I just had to put it out there to share again and again. Shoots

[@ronaldnerosavage5687]

The most world class Hawaiian musicians ever. Don't let the cockaroaches cast a bad light on your legacy. School your kids to live pono. Aloha-

[@jmdfineart]

soooo true .... I was thinking the very same thing about "world-class Hawaiian musicians" .... they are the greatest

[@KurtMeyer]

Mahalo Last winter I caught up with Kapono by chance in Kona. After 20 years it was great to talk with him and best of all hear him play. He sang "Broken Promise" as a request for me, chicken skin! Shoots.

[@hvngfunnn]

Wow, all these talents together singing my favorite song! Love this rendition - people think that they can "own" Hawaii, but Hawaii is not about being owned. It is a land that was perpetuated in righteousness (one that knows how to love their neighbor as themselves - or one that shares much aloha or aloha nui)! Brings me the blues to see the intrinsic gift of our Hawaii Nei being torn up from it's core!

[@aliikulanirozet3429]

Always miss home after listening to this.

[@gregmwheeler]

This song and performance could only come from Hawaii, but the ideas work everywhere. There are people all over with the same sad story. Lucky that guys like this took the ache of loss and turned it into something so beautiful.

[@gulabjirani]

agree!

[@djsullivan4743]

Any version of this song is always great. These four special guys make this one very special.

[@wjc1952]

A wonderfiul piece of Hawaiian music history. It is at the Pahinui family home on Bell St. in Waimanalo, O`ahu. Gives chicken skin. Me ke aloha, Auntie Wanda

[@kaywoods7533]

Man, my old friend from another life shared this with me. I cried. I miss Hawaii so much.I agree w/ surfrider1973, Kailua also, Kaaawa & Kualoa Ranch. I've never felt at home anywhere else. I remember Home Grown & still have my album I've been Jonse-ing to hear Night Music & Honolulu City Lights. I only have internet at Mom's & I'm not here much. Heavy sigh. C&K, Beamer Brothers, Bros Cazimero, Gabby... I love you all. Thanks for making my history so memorable. Mahalo.

[@tennisontitcomb112]

Kanaka Ma'oles singing the Waimanalo Blues bruddahs Kapono, Kamakawiwo'le, Pahinui, and Roland Cazimero on his Bass. Kane kapila.

[@yutooba1]

love it!! Fond memories of the outdoor concerts!

[@texrex7628]

Thanks, Kurt. I love this version with these fabulous musicians.

[@sonofalii1026]

Great jammin! Mahalo 4sharing brahddas!

[@MsAudreyadams]

THIS IS THE ORIGINALS MAHALO FOR SHARING !

[@KaleleKalae]

mahalo kurt - great way to bring back memories - everyone looks so young! Great memories indeed...

[@rhondajg6624]

Just wanted to clarify, that's Cyril Pahinui, right? We had the pleasure of seeing him play when we were home last month. So smooth on slack key, with Jeff Au Hoy on steel and Peter Moon, Jr. on 'ukulele and guitar. The only downside was that it was at the Kani Ka Pila Grill in the Outrigger Reef - yes, one of "their hotels" - but the servers were locals and very friendly and Cyril came over to talk to us in between sets. A real gentleman.

[@lindakanani]

Mahalo Cyril. Love this!!

[@johnnyp8979]

OHHHH, sooo nice. Didn't want to take a breath, didn't want to interfere with the melody...

[@scottlajala7597]

backyard jam...sing everybody!

[@Viva_ROK.]

I really love this song~~^^

[@Research0digo]

RIP Iz (and Sonny and Pahinui)

[@markwitz]

Quite a group, that's for sure!

[@macnutbogger]

PRICELESS.

[@Nerdificent]

I would love to know where I could download this. This is a really nice song.

[@TheBepono2008]

Sing Iz!! Wouldve liked it if he sang lol

[@janis3boys]

the bestest!

[@Azishome]

Why isn't there a version of Gabby's of this on KZbin? These are all good, but Gabby's was fine.

[@rodrigocmz]

Awesome performance! Is this recording available on some album? Thanks for sharing!

[@KurtMeyer]

I produced and recorded 3 songs on that afternoon. It was the last time I saw Brother IZ before his passing. If there is interest I can compile the 3 classic recording in a package and make it available to true local hawaiian music fans. Thanks for watching Kurt

[@DunfordMike]

Kurt Meyer That would be amazing.

[@rodrigocmz]

Kurt Meyer Hi Kurt! How you're doing? It's been a while and every once in a while I get back to this video to listen to this music, man. Can you still compile those 3 recordings? Best wishes!

[@the-colorowdy]

Hawaii NO KA'OI

[@wamooowes]

feelin good --- w

[@cyrilpahinui]

I was dea!

[@wahinemicha]

Sweet.......Chicken skin Fo Reelz !

[@KurtMeyer]

I HAVE THE MASTER RECORDINGS

[@Firekat9282]

Kurt Meyer How about giving credit to the writer of this song? My brother, Thor Wold. And Arlo Guthrie did record it years back. Also, get behind the meaning of this song, it always sounds better when you understand what was being said in the lyrics.

[@JohnS-gf4sz]

+Kathe Simpson Educate us aunteh, so we can understand...

[@JohnS-gf4sz]

Mahaloz aunteh for the mana'o!

[@srfrider1973]

me? kailua blues. class of 1973, KHS.

[@UnkoPiko]

That's a little dramatic don't you think? There's still much beauty to be found on O'ahu. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

[@tigers4123]

American by birth, Hawaiian by choice

[@toatasiproductions]

Hawaiian by blood, American by force***

[@kuhio001]

Maybe, but everyday there is less....you are also probably a lot younger than I am, most everyone is these days, and maybe you have a different starting point of reference.

[@danviola2596]

Chicken skin! Kanikapila!

[@gracesingh8353]

Like the Sound but don't get the lyrics too well.

[@markshelby2141]

Grace Singh The lyrics have deep meaning to those of us who grew up in Hawaii. And miss our good old days of Hawaii! We know exactly what is being said.

[@kahalaboy]

Check your spelling...W-A-I-M-A-N-A-L-O