Alfred Apaka’s 90th Anniversary of his Birthday with Musical Tribute

Tonight Lisa and I attended a lei-draping and blessing at Alfred Apaka Statue, followed by musical tribute to the “Golden Voice of Hawaii,” the late Alfred Apaka. We had a great time.

Jeff Apaka, Alfred Apaka son passes leis to Palakiko Yagodich, Coordinator of Interpret Hawai'i - Hospitality, Travel and Tourism, Kapi'olani Community College to place on the statue of Alfred Apaka.

Kanoe Miller a world class Hula dancer from the Halekulani and Former Miss Hawaii. Performs a graceful hula as wonderful trio plays unplugged.

Here is a small list of people that attended and performed:
Jeffrey Apaka, son of Alfred Apaka
Kaniela Akaka – ukulele/singer
Kaipo Asing – guitar
Pakala Fernandes - bass
Cathy Foy - singer
Ainsley Halemanu – ukulele/singer
Haumea (Mrs. Don) Ho
Kimo Kahoano - emcee
Danny Kaleikini - singer
Nina Kealiiwahamana – singer
George Kuo - guitar
Melveen Leed – singer
Aaron Mahi – bass/singer
Kenneth Makuakane – guitar/singer Kanoe Miller, dancer
Bev Noa - dancer
Casey Olsen - steel
Hiram Olsen – guitar singer
Kahu Kaleo Patterson
Joe Recca - singer
Boyce Rodrigues – singer
Mihana Souza – guitar/singer
Bryan Tolentino
Doug Tolentino - ukulele

MORE: Before Don Ho there was Alfred Apaka, The Golden Voice of Hawai‘i. During the 1940s and 1950s, Apaka was Hawaii’s most famous entertainer and his show was a “must see” for all visitors. Apaka was indeed the most influential local performer of his time, setting the standard for all modern Hawaiian music. His voice, masculine good looks and personality truly helped put Henry Kaiser’s Hawaiian Village Hotel on the map. George Kanahele, a critical observer of Hawaiian music later wrote, “Alfred Apaka possessed one of the most remarkable voices to ever come out of Hawai‘i.”


Apaka was best known for his lavish shows in the Hawaiian Village’s Tapa Room and later in the property’s enormous gold aluminum geodesic dome constructed by Kaiser to accommodate Apaka’s large crowds. As his fame grew, he became a well-known recording artist, spreading the appreciation of Hawaiian music to the world. Apaka was planning his own national television special at the time of his unexpected heart attack and death at the age of 40 in 1960. He was buried with a microphone placed in his hands before his casket was closed. In 1997, Alfred Apaka was honored by a prestigious Nā Hōkū Hanohano Lifetime Achievement Award and in 1999 with an album, Lost Recordings of Hawai‘i’s Golden Voice.

Tiki's Goes Green! Come a watch the parade from our outdoor Lanai and enjoy a green beer.

Tiki's Grill & Bar invites you to come a watch the parade from our outdoor Lanai and enjoy a green beer, your favorite Irish drink or Guinness on draft.
Corn beef & cabbage will be on the menu tonight! Just look for the BIG Green Balls.

This annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Waikiki starts at noon on St. Patrick's Day and runs from the corner of Kalakaua and Saratoga all the way to Kapiolani Park.Organized by the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick of Hawaii, the parade consists of marchers, vehicles, a float and several bands. Every year, locals and tourists come out for the celebration of Irish food, music, drink and festivities.


Home Toolbox Essentials: Skill Set - It's amazing how many tools you need for a day's work.

Here is a great blog post from Home Toolbox Essentials: Skill Set [Popular Mechanics] I must admit I have a tool box in the house and in my truck.



When I tallied up the tools in my box, I counted 61 items with a combined weight of over 50 pounds. Of course, some things are multipiece, such as the set of high-speed-steel twist drills in a fold-out metal case. I think I've got a good little set of tools here, but it's not perfect—I'm always looking for tools that are tougher or more precise. Nor is it complete. It's augmented at home with hundreds of pounds of other hand and power tools. This is the box I grab when the phone rings and somebody needs help or a pipe has burst at the church where I'm the property chairman. It takes a long time to find out what you need and fit it into one box.


Read More at : http://www.popularmechanics.com/home_journal/tools/4215831.html

Konishiki came into to watch Vaihi play music at Tiki's. Both Chris and Kapo wanted to get a few sumo lessons from the master. They did manage to get this photo!


KKONISHIKI  (Konishiki Yasokichi) - World famous Sumo competitor.

Konishiki was born Saleva'a Fuauli Atisano'e on December 31, 1963. He grew up on the Leeward Coast of Oahu where many of its population are economically challenged. Konishiki's world opened up before him when he transferred to University Laboratory School in Honolulu, where he met many different people from various backgrounds, making him realize that the world is very big. His horizon further broadened when he moved to Japan to pursue a career in sumo, Japan's traditional national sport. Immersed in highly culturally-oriented world of sumo, Konishiki learned the importance of harmony between people, regardless of culture, religion, race, or ethnic origin.

Konishiki quickly rose up the ranks in sumo, eventually becoming the first non-Japanese sumo wrestler to attain the prestigious title of ozeki, sumo's second highest rank. During his illustrious 16-year career, Konishiki won a total of 733 bouts, including 649 in the top division, making him one of the most successful wrestlers in sumo history. He and his fellow non-Japanese wrestlers were highly influential in opening up the often closed world of sumo to the rest of the world.

Since his retirement from the sumo in 1998, Konishiki has made "giving back to the community" the main focus of his life. He has immersed himself in promoting Hawaii to the rest of the world through music and regular TV appearances. He has also been actively involved in various charitable causes concerning children, following his belief that kids are the future of the world. www.konishikikids.com
   
   

Konishiki Yasokichi - The 222nd Ozeki ( From http://www.chijanofuji.com/Konishiki1.html)

Konishiki
Shikona: Konishiki Yasokichi
Real Name: Shiota Yasokichi
Name at Birth: Salevaa Atisanoe
Date of Birth: December 30, 1963
Place of Birth: Nanakuli, Oahu,
Hawaii, USA
Sumo Heya (Stable ): Takasago
Height: 184cm
Weight: 250-275kg
(maximum: 283kg)
Favourite Grip:
 Tsuki Oshi
Favourite Techniques: Yorikiri, Oshidashi
Hatsu Dohyo (Sumo Debut):  July, 1982
Juryo Division Debut: November, 1983
(after 8 Basho)
Makuuchi Division Debut: July, 1984
(after 12 Basho)
Sanyaku Debut: November, 1984
(after 2 Makuuchi Basho)
Ozeki Debut: July, 1987
(after 18 Makuuchi Basho)
Retirement: November, 1997
(after 81 Makuuchi Basho)
Makuuchi Championships
(Yusho):		 3
Zensho Yusho (15-0 record): 0
Makuuchi Jun-Yusho
(Runner-Up):		 9
Ozeki Record: 345-197-43 (.637)
Makuuchi Record: 649-476-89 (.577)
Career Record: 733-498-95 (.595)
Most consecutive wins: 15
Kinboshi:  2
Ginboshi: ?
Ginboshi gained by
opponents:		 ? (in 39 Basho)
Outstanding Performance
Award: 
(Shukun-sho)		 4
Fighting Spirit Prize: 
(Kanto-sho)		 5
Technique Prize: 
(Gino-sho)		 1
No. Tournaments /
Makuuchi		 92 / 81

Konishiki -  Hon Basho History
 YEAR  Hatsu 
(January)		 Haru 
(March)		 Natsu 
(May)		 Nagoya 
(July)		 Aki 
(September)		 Kyushu 
(November)		 Yearly Stats
 Rank  Record  Rank Record Rank Record Rank Record Rank Record Rank Record  win-loss avg
1997 M13E 8-7 M10W 6-7-2 M14E 8-7 M9W 8-7  M2W 0-11-4  M14E  5-9-Ret  35-48-06 .422
1996
 M8E 7-8 M9W 6-9 M14E 10-5 M8W 8-7 M4E 4-11 M9E 6-9 41-49 .456
1995 M8W 8-7 M3E 5-10 M7W 5-10 M13W 9-6 M5E 5-10 M10W 8-7 40-50 .444
1994 S2W 2-13 M9E 8-7 M5E 5-10 M12E 8-7 M10E 8-7 M5E 6-9 37-53 .411
1993 O1W 10-5 O1W 9-6 O1W 7-8 O1W 9-6 O2E 0-2-13 O2E 6-9 41-36-13 .532
1992 O1E 12-3 O1E 13-2-C O1E 9-6 O1W 10-5 O1W 9-6 O1E 0-2-13 53-24-13 .688
1991 O1W 0-1-14 O1W 9-6 O1E 14-1-R O1E 12-3-R O1E 11-4-R O1W 13-2-C 59-17-14 .776
1990 O1E 10-5 O1E 13-2-R O1E 12-3 O1W 10-5 O1E 9-6 O1W 10-5 64-26 .711
1989 O2E 3-9-3 O2W 10-5 O2W 9-6 O2W 8-7 O2W 5-10 O2W 14-1-C 49-38-03 .563
1988 O2E 13-2-R O1W 8-7 O1W 8-7 O1W 8-7 O2E 3-12 O2W 10-5 50-40 .556
1987 S1E 10-5 S1E 11-4-R S1E 12-3 O1W 9-6 O1W 12-3 O1E 8-7 62-28 .689
1986 K1W 10-5 K1E 12-3-R S1W 3-6-6 M4E 0-0-15 M4E 12-3-R S1W 10-5 47-22-21 .681
1985 M1W 6-9 M3W 8-7 K1W 12-3-R S1W 9-6 S1E 0-0-15 M9W 11-4 46-29-15 .613
1984 J3E 4-5-6 J10W 13-2-C J2E 11-4-C M11E 8-7 M6W 12-3-R S1W 5-6-4 53-27-10 .663
1983 Sd50?
 6-1 Sd?
 6-1 Ms28W
 6-1 Ms8? 4-3 Ms6E 6-1 J12W 11-4-R 39-11 .780
1982
 Sumo Entry: July 1982 Maezumo Hatsu
Dohyo		 Jk12E
 7-0-C Jd11E
 7-0-C 14-00 1.00
C=Basho Champion (Yusho) R=Runner Up (Jun-Yusho) Y=Yokozuna O=Ozeki S=Sekiwake K=Komusubi
M=Maegashira, J=Juryo, Ms=Makushita, Sd=Sandanme, Jd=Jonidan, Jk=Jonokuchi E=East W=West

Photos from Skyy Ginger Launch Event at Tiki's Grill & Bar

Great event! Skyy Ginger VIP Launch had 150 in attendance.
Mahalo to all the staff and vendors that worked hard to pull off a great event.
  • Ice carving with a express bar
  • Spoke Models with Skyy Blue Dresses and Ginger colored wigs
  • 2 Live Bands - Freesound and Unnaturals
  • Bar tending challenge with industry judges
  • Photographers, in house and beverage guide
  • Live streaming video
  • Removed seating to create move interaction and set up a tent
  • Candy ginger, Ginger Leis, Fresh Torch Ginger.
  • Sponsored Drinks and Pupus