Makana melds Island, global sounds

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

Makana, who will perform tonight and Saturday at the Hawaiian Hut, is writing a think piece on ki ho'alu, or Hawaiian slack-key, in the spirit of offering the public a deeper appreciation of the cherished playing style. MAKANA Also featuring guest artists Kai (didgeridoo), slam poet Kealoha, and world-folk guitarist Steve Inglis 8:45 p.m. today and Saturday (doors open at 8:15 p.m.) Hawaiian Hut, Ala Moana Hotel $20 in advance, $25 at the door 550-8457

Simply, he wants to build bridges.

"I've toured 50 cities, all over the world," he said upon returning home from a whirlwind itinerary a few weeks ago. "The whole time, I was writing a lot of new music, taking my roots of Hawaiian slack-key and incorporating them into a whole new kind of music.

"Basically, my direction, my inspiration, is to build a bridge between Hawai'i and the rest of the world. In order to build a relationship, I feel that you have to take the musical and lyrical origins of Hawai'i and blend with influences from other parts of the world."

It's a recipe he'll include in his latest outing on the concert scene (he performs tonight and Saturday at the Hawaiian Hut), to jump-start that bridge-building concept.

"I'm always inspired by environment," said Makana, 26, of the origins of some of his musical ideas. "It's an endless river that keeps flowing. My music, thus, is changing; it includes world, rock, Hawaiian slack-key, African ... rooted in open tunings I've learned."

The political reverberations of the recent election colored some of his compositions, too. "Stress at the time of the elections is empowering on the perspective of dealing with what's happening in the world," he said.

Above everything else, said Makana, he's learned to enjoy life to the fullest. "And part of that joy is how to contribute. I hope some of my new songs offer some perspective. Nowadays, music is hit-driven. So it's a challenge to attract a new audience. But diversity is a factor."

Touring has given him an edge to take bolder risks, to reach higher, to synthesize. "When I perform in places like China, for instance, I am challenged to be completely sensitive and ready to respond to whatever the situation is. These people don't speak English and they may not know anything about Hawai'i or me; I stand there in amazingly hot weather, where you sweat just standing, and they're absorbing, showing curiosity. It's quite exciting."

Even technique has been an experimental journey. "In Germany, I opened for Santana with Uncle Willie (Willie K), and it was an amazing experience, with between 8,000 and 12,000 people. To communicate with just guitar and voice, in a way that can be unique and very powerful, was a test. The slack-key guitar has the ability to inspire and heal."

Makana said his outlook about his artistry changed somewhat when he met and befriended the late Tau Moe, the veteran Hawaiian music troubadour who toured the world and shared his Island sounds. "The fact that this kupuna took so much time to share with me ... it's my kuleana and responsibility to keep on sharing," he said.

Thus, Makana is writing a think piece on ki ho'alu, or Hawaiian slack-key, in the spirit of offering the public a deeper appreciation of the cherished playing style. "When people hear slack key, they think, 'Oh, yeah, nice old style,' " he said. "But really, it is extremely dynamic. It can be as powerful and as moving as rock, and there are different ways of expression. And this is what we're trying to do in our shows — expressing the instrument beyond the genre, fueled by passion with a high sense of musicality and reality."

And slack-key is very much an essence of his global outlook, as he mounts his fourth album. "There are no borders, really," said Makana. "The music transports you into a special world; with socially relevant lyrics, a song can communicate an exquisite experience."

One of his newbies, he said, is "The Sunset Song," which typifies his take on the role of the relevant song. "It's not just about the sunset," he said. "But music is like the sun setting — you feel the sun setting, you experience the setting through a sonic form. It's like going to a movie, but it's audio-focused instead of visual. The picture's in your mind."

He's home long enough to give a few concerts and re-energize after being away for months, but Makana said he's excited about his next journey, a pre-Christmas trip to Switzerland.

"For the first time in my life, I will get to see snow, ski, and actually touch snow," he said.

Could be fodder for more new music, he admitted.

"But in a nutshell, my main reason for working so hard, and giving up a lot of my personal endeavors other than music, is to continue experiencing this endless sense of deep inspiration and joy. And because I am still extremely concerned with what's happening in the world, I hope to channel these thoughts through my music."

Reach Wayne Harada at 525-8067, wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, or fax 525-8055.