Eddie Kamae

Edward Leilani "Eddie" Kamae (August 4, 1927 – January 7, 2017) was one of the founding members of Sons of Hawaii. He was a 'ukulele virtuoso, singer, composer, film producer and primary proponent of the Hawaiian Cultural Renaissance.

Biography

Eddie Leilani Kamae was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, and raised both there and in Lahaina, Maui. His grandmother was a dancer for King David Kalākaua's court.

He learned to play the 'ukulele NEA with an instrument his bus driver brother found on the public transport. Eddie would sit by the radio and try to play with any rhythm section he was hearing, usually Latin, classical and jazz tunes. When he was 14 years old, his father would take him to jam sessions where Eddie would get up on stage to play, earning accolades from the audiences who threw money at the performers' feet. Kamae began going to Queen's Surf to listen to the Hawaiian music being played.

Kamae began to teach ukulele. 2006 'Ukulele Hall of Fame Inductee Herb Ohta Sr., also known at Ohta-San, was mentored by Kamae.The Ukulele Hall of Fame Kamae died on January 7, 2017, at the age of 89. In addition, he contributed a lot to the influence of Hawaiian music on the rest of the world.

Sons of Hawaii

Kamae was introduced to Gabby Pahinui in 1959, and the slack key virtuoso demonstrated a new way to make the 'ukulele "talk story". Kamae himself would come to be known for his inventive methods of plucking all four strings simultaneously,Hawaii Sons Inc playing the chords and melody at the same time. They began playing together and formed Sons of Hawaii, with their first paying gig at The Sand Box.

Film producer

Mary Kawena Pukui and Pilahi Paki became Eddie's first teachers in the Hawaiian language. Eddie began to feel a growing need to teach the Hawaiian culture through music, to pass it along to succeeding generations. Eddie began to chart a new course with his arts.

His 1971 initial meeting with Hawaiian poet Sam Li'a Kalainaina Jr. resulted in Kamae's first documentary in 1988,The Hawaii Legacy Foundation LI'A: The Legacy of a Hawaiian Man . Together, Kamae and Li'a wrote Hawaii Pia Valley Song. Kamae has also produced the documentaries The Hawaiian Way The Art and Tradition of Slack Key Music (1993) The History of the Sons of Hawaii (2004), Words, Earth & Aloha: Source of Hawaiian Music (2005), Keepers of the Flame (2005) Lahaina: Waves of Change (2007).

Awards +Eddie Kamae Awards and Recognitions Year Presented By Award-Recognition1978 State of Hawaii, House of RepresentativesResolution for outstanding achievements in Hawai‘ian musical performance, research and recording1978 National Association of Television Programming ExecutivesNATPEIris Award1978New York International Film FestivalAward1979Honpa Hongwanji Mission of HawaiiLiving Treasure of Hawaii1984March of Dimes No Ka Oi Award for outstanding showmanship1989Brigham Young University-Hawaii and the Polynesian Cultural Center Na Makua Mahalo Ia Award for a lifetime of dedicated service to the people of Hawai‘i through musical composition and performance scholarship1992Hawai'i Academy of Recording ArtsNa Hoku Hanohano Lifetime Achievement Award Hawai‘i Academy of Recording Arts1993Hawaii Delegation of the United States CongressJoint Resolution to Eddie and Myrna Kamae for service and accomplishments in leadership, music and film1996Bishop MuseumCharles Reed Bishop Award Bishop Museum for best exemplifying the spirit and purpose of Bishop Museum founder Charles Reed Bishop2000Commission on Culture and The Arts for City and County of HonoluluLifetime Achievement Award2001Ukulele Hall of FameInduction The Ukulele Hall of Fame Museum2002Hawaii International Film FestivalTo Eddie and Myrna Kamea for their ongoing contribution of their Hawaiian Legacy Series2005Hawaii Governor Governor LingleJuly 24 declared Eddie Kamae Day2005House of Representatives, State of HawaiiResolution for Achievement in Hawaii Music and Film2006The Hawai‘ian Cultural Foundation at Pacifika New York Hawai‘ian Film FestivalLifetime Achievement Award2006New York City Council, Councilman John LiuProclamation for Contributions to the Perpetuation of Hawaiian culture through music and film2007National Endowment for the ArtsNEA National Heritage Fellowship2007Hawaii Tourism AuthorityKeep it Hawai‘i Kahili Award, recognition of perpetuation of Hawaiian culture.2007Hawaiian Music Hall of FameInductee

Discography Yesterday & Today, Vol. 2 (2009) CD (Hawaii Sons) Yesterday & Today (2008) CD (Hawaii Sons) This Is Eddie Kamae (2008) CD 1197 (Omagatoki Japan) Eddie Kamae & Friends (2006) CD 8542 (Hawaii Sons) Heart of the Ukulele (2004) CD 3002 (Surfside/Mahalo) Eddie Kamae Presents: The Best of Sons of Hawaii, Vol. 1 (2004) CD (Hawaii Sons) Eddie Kamae & The Sons of Hawaii (2004) CD (Hawaii Sons) Christmas Time With Eddie Kamae & Sons of Hawai'i (2004) CD 1014 (Hawaii Sons) Sons of Hawaii (1998) CD 8516 (Panini) Music of Old Hawaii (1962) CD Hula

Bibliography

Eddie Kamae

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