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On the ed­ge with Erin Smith

It's a question musicians on Maui sometimes face when seeking to advance their careers. Can you make it while living on our little island? For Erin Smith, the former lead singer of the Throwdowns, a move to Oahu seemed like a logical step."I ended up moving for personal and professional reasons, and it's been really great," says Smith, who was born in Toronto and relocated to Maui in 2004. "Oahu affords me a bit of a broader scope. I write for the Honolulu Star Advertiser and I really like that, and I have a band of Oahu players backing me up, who I am bringing to Maui."Having just ...

Pi‘iholo upland inspiration for ‘Kawaiokalena’

"For generations, the magnificent royal ponds of Kalena at Pi'iholo served as a leisurely respite for our traveling Ali'i to refresh themselves in her springfed waters," begins the liner notes to Keali'i Reichel's new CD."Here, the uplands are adorned by the 'Ulalena rainwhere the Kiumoenahele winds urge the opua clouds to nestle amid her myriad ridges and valleys. With these images in mind, we invite you to explore the chants and songs of this cherished wahi pana manifested in the composer's poetry and the vocalist's delivery."Twenty years after Reichel released his groundbreaking debut ...

Exploring The Quietest Place on Earth ‘The power is in silence’

Drawn to the mysterious vastness of the Himalayas, Maui psychologist Dr. Tom Vendetti for years has explored a passion for filmmaking, producing such fascinating documentaries as "Journey Inside Tibet," "Mount Kailash: Return to Tibet" and the Emmy-winning "Bhutan: Taking the Middle Path to Happiness."For the soundtrack to these works, Vendetti collaborated with virtuoso flute player Paul Horn. This legendary, Grammy-winning musician also contributed to Vendetti's latest project, "The Quietest Place on Earth," which will receive its world premiere in a benefit screening for Mental Health ...

Willie K & Amy Hanaiali‘i Reunited

It's exciting to hear the news that Willie K and Amy Hanaiali'i are reuniting after so many years to release a new album and perform live. Before their eagerly anticipated CD will be officially released on Nov. 11, the duo will debut some of their new songs in a concert in the Castle Theater at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center on Nov. 8.Having both advanced so far in their careers since their duo days, the remerging of these formidable talents has created something never before heard in Hawaii. Adept at so many music styles, they have channeled their considerable mana into a unique ...

50 years of Rollickin’ Rovin’

On the pop charts in 1968, you would have heard classics like the Beatles "Hey Jude," the Rolling Stones' "Jumpin' Jack Flash," Cream's "Sunshine of Your Love," and a charming kid's song about mythical unicorns by a little band from Toronto called The Irish Rovers.In time, "The Unicorn" sold 8 million copies, led to a Grammy nomination and established the band's worldwide appeal."I still have the Billboard magazine, and on the rock charts, the Beatles were number one and we were number two," recalls the Rovers' George Millar. "To this day, I say, 'How did a little song like that slip ...

David Lindley

One of the most respected instrumentalists in rock music, David Lindley is best known for his long association with Jackson Browne. Other artists he's worked with include Bob Dylan, Rod Stewart, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, Ziggy Marley and our own Pahinui Brothers.Adept at an array of stringed instruments, he most recently joined guitar legend Eric Clapton on the tribute album "The Breeze: An Appreciation of JJ Cale," which included guests such as Tom Petty, Mark Knopfler and Willie Nelson.Performing in the Maui Arts & Cultural Center's McCoy Studio Theater on Oct. 23, Lindley ...