Brad Bordessa

The Hawai’i Island ‘Ukulele Retreat is on!

/ UkuleleLady

We’ll be opening registration soon, but wanted to make  sure everyone knew that the retreat is still on!

November 10 – 16, 2019

The recent fire at the Kohala Village HUB, did not impact the Inn and they are now open and accepting reservations.

The classes, workshops, performances etc. (as well as the delicious, local-made meals) will be just across the road at the charming Hawi Plantation House, just like last year.

Stay Tuned. We’ll be opening registration soon.

Thank-you for your patience

Come join us at the Hawi Plantation House & Cottages on the beautiful island of Hawai’i, for a week of ‘ukulele immersion, fun, and camaraderie in one of the most beautiful places in the world.

We’ll have a number of noted instructors on board to facilitate  workshops and classes in ‘ukulele, bass, Hawaiian lap steel, hula, percussion, voice, Hawaiian music, and culture.  And we’ll still find time to kanikapila, swim and snorkel,  and get acquainted with beautiful North Kohala and the people who live there.

And don’t forget your sweetie…..even if they don’t “uke!” While you’re engaged in learning and playing, he or she can be exploring the charming plantation town of Hawi, swimming with the dolphins and sea turtles at one of the beaches nearby, playing golf, riding horses in Waimea, exploring local farms and farmer’s markets, hiking to deserted beaches and lush waterfalls, visiting an active volcano, sunning on the most beautiful beaches in the world, reading a book, taking a beginning ‘ukulele or hula class.

We have sold out the last three years, so be sure to “subscribe” the website to make sure you are among the first to know when we open registration and don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn and play your ‘ukulele in Hawai’i, the place where it all began.

We’ll let you know as soon as we open registration.

Kawika– A Moment Etched in My Memory

/ UkuleleLady

Some twelve years ago, I was a beginning ‘ukulele player at a Hawaiian music workshop on the Big Island. One rainy afternoon, I walked into the front foyer of the Pahala Plantation House, where the workshop was taking place,  to find Dennis Kamakahi (on guitar) and his son, David (on ‘ukulele), playing “Kawika.”

Even then I knew this was a moment that would live with me for a long, long time. I just didn’t know how or when it would come back to me.

Why David and Dennis were playing “Kawika” that afternoon, I don’t know. Most of us think of Dennis, who passed away in 2014, in reference to the popular songs he wrote: “Wahine Ilikea,” “Koke‘e,” and “Pua Hone.” But Dennis was, among other things, a gifted scholar of Hawaiian history and culture. And “Kawika,” recorded by Sunday Manoa in 1969, is considered by many to be the spark that ushered in the second Hawaiian Renaissance—a revitalization of the traditions, culture, and language of the Hawaiian people. Maybe it was part of a story Dennis was telling about King David (Kawika) Kalakaua, whom the song was written about. Maybe he just really liked it. It is a powerful piece of music.

Looking around the room on that rainy day in Pahala, I also saw (a very young) Brad Bordessa sitting on the stairs, listening intently to Dennis and David and soaking it all in.  This was where I first met Brad, who was thirteen at the time—a serious musician even then. (A few years later, Brad posted an excellent ‘ukulele tutorial for “Kawika” on his blog, Live ‘Ukulele.)

That rainy afternoon in Pahala, the Kamakahi’s playing “Kawika,” and Brad listening on the stairway. . . . .all that musical magic came rushing back a few weeks ago when Brad suggested creating and teaching an ‘ukulele ensemble for “Kawika” at the 2018 Hawai’i Island ‘Ukulele Retreat, October 14 – 20. And with Kaliko Beamer Trapp also on the staff, to teach Hawaiian percussion, language, and pronunciation, there was no question in my mind that “Kawika” was simply meant to happen. And so it will.

Below is a link to “Kawika,” as recorded by Sunday Manoa. Enjoy. And while you do, imagine taking part in the musical ‘ukulele magic that happens each year in Hawi, at the northern end of the Kohala Coast. Registration is still open and the Kohala Village Inn still has a few rooms available.

If you can’t wait until October, you can get a quick lesson from Brad right here:

Even more reason to bring your ‘ukulele to Hawai’i!

/ UkuleleLady

We have already listed all the reasons why you should come to Hawai’i to play your ‘ukulele,  but we just added another!

Because, if you are so inclined, at this year’s Hawai’i Island ‘Ukulele Retreat, October 15 – 21, you can also learn to play Hawaiian lap steel guitar with Konabob or with the “King of Mid-Western Swing,” Gerald Ross! This not only means we’ll be able to offer two 5-day classses in Hawaiian lap steel, it also means we’ll be able to offer it in two tunings: C6 (with Gerald) and G6 (with Konabob).

Just take a look at what Gerald will be bringing our way!

And this is in addition to the other classes in ‘ukulele, hula, rhythm, and story telling being taught by our esteemed staff: Kevin Carroll, Brad Bordessa, Kaliko Beamer, Lehua Wilson AhSam, and Lady Ipo.

And it’s not just all about Hawai’i, either.  It’s about the joy of music of all genres.  Just look at what Kevin Carroll is bringing to the table: Celtic Music for ‘Ukulele and Tchaikovsky!

So, the Kohala Village Hub in Hawi, is not only the best place to come learn to play your ‘ukulele this October, it’s just the best place to be, period!

Please contact us if you’d like to join us.  The rooms at the Kohala Village Hub are currently spoken for, but there are other options nearby.

Hope to see you there!

 

Lehua Wilson AhSam – The Jewel in the Crown

/ UkuleleLady

Lehua Wilson AhSam has been an integral part of the Hawai’i Island ‘Ukulele Retreat since we moved to the Kohala Village Hub two years ago. So, we thought it was time to let you all know a little more about her.

O Kaneohe Koolaupoko kuu one hanau

O Hilo Paliku kuu wahi hanai

O Kohala Loko kuu wahi noho 

O Lehua Ah Sam kuu inoa 

Roughly interpreted: Lehua was born in Kaneohe, Oahu; raised in Hilo, Hawai’i; and lives today in “deep” Kohala with her husband’s family.

But there is much more to Lehua Wilson AhSam than all the places she has been, and she continues to astound us all with her resources, talent, skill, and generosity.  She is the “tock” to the “tick” of the Hawai’i Island ‘Ukulele Retreat: consistently sure and steady, relentlessly operating in the background (as the Executive Director of the Kohala Village Hub), and absolutely indispensable.

She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology and a Master’s in Hawaiian Studies, is fluent in Hawaiian language, and teaches Hawaiian Studies at the Hawaiian Community College.  She is also trained in Hula and has performed at the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo. . . . .and to hear her sing is to take a journey back to the time of the Hawaiian monarchs.

Lehua is also a crew member for Makali’i, Hawai’i Island’s own voyaging canoe.

“He waʻa he moku, he moku he waʻa” 

“The canoe is our island, and the island is our canoe.”

It is Lehua’s passion for Hawaiian culture and all things wa’a (canoe-related) that will inform and enhance our “extra-curricular” activities, especially our visit to the Maka o Hule Heiau. It is her attention to every detail during our stay at the Kohala Village Inn that will ensure our success, again, at this year’s Hawai’i Island ‘Ukulele Retreat October 15 – 21, at the Kohala Village Hub in Hawi.

Lehua joins a staff of exemplary talent at this year’s retreat: Gerald Ross (‘Ukulele and Hawaiian Lap Steel Guitar); Brad Bordessa (‘Ukulele); Kevin Carroll (‘Ukulele and Uke-estra); Lady Ipo (‘Ukulele and Hula); Kaliko Beamer-Trapp (‘Ukulele and Story-telling); and KonaBob (Slack-key Bass and  Hawaiian Lap Steel Guitar.)

It’s not too late to register, but we only have 3 rooms left at the Kohala Village Inn!  So hurry, if you don’t want to miss the most fun you can have with your ‘ukulele on, Hawaiian style!

Click Here for On-line Registration

Brad Bordessa: Hometown ‘Ukulele Hero

/ UkuleleLady

Brad Bordessa has been with the five-year-old Hawai’i Island ‘Ukulele Retreat from the beginning. But I have known him much longer than that.

We first met at Keoki Kahamoku’s Hawaiian Lifestyle Workshop in Pahala, back in 2007. Brad was just 14 years old at the time, but even then, he showed amazing promise and a passion for music that went well beyond wanting to “wow” everyone with youthful skill and speed. He was hungry to learn and eager to share what he was learning with everyone around him, but he did it in an unassuming and generous manner. Barely in their teens, Brad and a friend created Live ‘Ukulele,  one of the first on-line blogs devoted exclusively to the instrument. That blog, now more than 10 years old, is still maintained by Brad and is updated regularly with lessons, tabs, and gear reviews. To this day, it is a valuable resource for all students of the ‘ukulele.

Over the years, Brad, who now lives in  Honoka’a, just over the hill from Hawi, has been mentored by the very best:  Chuck Moore, George Kahumoku, Herb Ohta, Jr., and James Hill. And while Brad is an amazing performer and a thoughtful and talented songwriter, he also excels at sharing with his students all he has learned from the masters in an easy-going,  informative manner that is easy for “adult learners” to comprehend.

Brad is always on the look-out for things he thinks we need to learn and ways to teach complex concepts in an understandable fashion. That’s what he brings to the Hawai’i Island ‘Ukulele Retreat each year, That’s why we keep asking him back.

Among other things we can expect from Brad at the retreat this year are some definitive workshops on ‘Ukulele Chord Shapes, since he just wrote the book on that subject. He’ll also be teaching us how to play using our ears–and not our eyes–and how to strum and pick to deliver a cleaner, more polished, sound, over all. For more advanced players, Brad will be teaching a brand new workshop on how to tab out some favorite tunes, so you can create your own arrangements with a little finger picking, alternate chords, and chord melody. And he’s putting together a jam of contemporary Hawaiian tunes.

Brad joins an all star line-up at this year’s retreat in Hawi, October 15 – 21, with Gerald Ross, Kevin Carroll, Kaliko Beamer Trapp, Lady Ipo, and KonaBob and will be adding to an already comprehensive list of classes and workshops for ukulele players of all skill levels and genres.

While the Kohala Village Inn is totally booked, you can still register for this year’s retreat if you can find someplace nearby to stay! (Search Airbnb or VRBO for Hawi–there were still some great options available the last time I checked!) Or, feel free to contact us in case there have been any last minute cancellations.

Here’s a little “freebie:”

Really, you really should take this opportunity to take some classes from Brad now, so you can say, “I knew him when.”