Instructors
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| "The setting was wonderful...the teachers humble and experienced." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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• "Wow! Thrilling; he's such a good teacher. He's the man, what else can I say..."
• "Keola is my original and continual inspiration for playing slack key." |
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| Keola Beamer is one of Hawaii's premier singer/songwriters, arrangers, composers, and slack key guitarists. Keolamaikalani Breckenridge Beamer was raised in Kamuela, on the Big Island, surrounded by members of one of Hawaii's most illustrious and beloved musical families. The Beamers trace their roots to the 15th century; among their ancestors are the Queen Ahiakumai Ki'eki'e and Ho'olulu, a child of the favored wife of Kamehameha I. Keola established himself early on as the family's youngest standard-bearer. A child of the rock and roll era, he has always been on the vanguard of the Hawaiian contemporary sound. However he also helped drive what has come to be known as the Hawaiian Cultural Renaissance: he has recorded many of the songs written by his ancestors, from the lively Keawaiki to the lullaby Pupu Hinuhinu. He has recorded and produced more than a dozen albums, winning numerous Hoku Awards, Hawaii's equivalent of the Grammies, and has even appeared on Sesame Street and on NBC's "Today Show." |
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• “Kaliko does an amazing job... (there’s) not enough room here to adequately sing his praises" |
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| Simon Kaliko Beamer-Trapp was born on the Isle of Wight, England, in 1970. He moved to the island of Hawai`i in 1994, at the invitation of Auntie Nona Beamer. He immediately continued his education in things Polynesian, focusing particularly on the Hawaiian and Marquesan languages. After working closely with Auntie Nona and learning from her about chanting, storytelling, and protocol he was formally adopted into the Beamer family. Kaliko's popular language classes have made him one of our best-loved instructors. But wait until you take his beginning `ukulele class! |
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| Moanalani Beamer began her hula training at the early age of four with kumu hula Johnny Hokoana. In her early years, she continued training extensively with several different kumu – her primary source of inspiration was the famed kumu hula Robert Kalani. When not teaching or performing, Moana lives with her husband, Keola on the island of Maui. Moana's daily classes are open to all, regardless of ability or prior experience. Her sensitive and fun-loving nature combines her understanding of technique with the spiritual and philosophical currents expressed in hula. |
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| • “The hula class was a friendly atmosphere and Moana made it fun for everyone.” • “Would I take this class again? In a hipshake!” • "I never stopped smiling!" |
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| John & Hope Keawe Songwriter and slack key guitarist John Keawe was born in the little town of North Kohala on the island of Hawai`i. Through the years, he has developed his own distinct style that combines a modern touch with a deep respect for traditional stylings. There’s really only one word for it: nahenahe. John’s numerous recordings and personal appearances have helped make him one of Hawaii’s premiere slack key guitarists. Five of his recordings were nominated for Hoku awards – the CD Ho'onanea won 1994 for best instrumental performance. At the 1998 Hawaii Music Awards, John won best slack-key artist for his Mana'olana CD. Hope Keawe is John's muse. Watching her dance to John's songs has been described as "love made visible." Hope will teach both beginning and intermediate hula at the February Camp. "John & Hope Keawe are so full of aloha. I learn so much from John's classes!!" |
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| Robyn Mahelani Kneubuhl: `Ukulele and Hula The daughter of reknowed Hawaiian vocalist Emma Veary, Robyn grew up surrounded by hula and music from small kid time. She currently resides on Maui playing music and singing with The Hula Honeys as well as teaching hula. Robyn will teach two different levels of `ukulele, focusing on accompaniment for songs and singing classic Hawaiian songs such as "Ka Makani Ka'ili Aloha," "Lovely Hula Hands," and her own "Life Just Got Sweeter." In addition, she will offer tips on singing and using your voice, and leads our popular song classes. "Robyn is awesome - bring her back again!!" |
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The Brown Family has been helping to perpetuate the 160 year old artform of ki ho`alu for three generations. Kevin Brown, one of our most popular instructors, got his start in music as a young man: "As a freshman in high school, math was not my favorite subject. One day I decided to cut my math class. And that is when my life in the music world started. While sitting under a tree, not far from me, was another class. There teacher was playing on his guitar. Then I heard this music that captured my ear, a sound I never heard before. When the recess bell rang the teacher passed me and I asked him what kind of music he was playing? He said it's an old style of Hawaiian music called slack key. I asked him if he would teach me, he said if I gave up all my recess and came to him, he would. I thought I'll give up my recess for awhile, then after I get bored I just won't come. We'll for 4 years I gave up my recess and came to this teacher, he thought me everything he knew from songs, to tuning's. His name is Henry Meyer." |
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| Kumu hula Kapono`ai Molitau has been involved in hula and chant for 23 years. He co-directs Maui's Na Hanona Kulike o Pi'ilani halau (one of it's members is Moana Beamer!) and was appointed to the Kaho`olawe Island Cultural Reserve Commision. Mentored by Kumu Hula John Keola Lake, he is steeped in the nuance of the Hawaiian culture. Kumu Kapono`ai's goal is to bridge the gap between traditional and contemporary Hawaii. We are honored that he'll share his vast knowledge of hula and oli with us again in June! This June, build a traditional ipu heke and learn to chant using this traditional Hawaiian instrument. Class size is limited, and there is a $150 materials fee. Click here to register for the class. |
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| Konabob Stoffer began playing acoustic Hawaiian steel guitar in 1998 (after having a dream on New Year's Eve that he could play one!). He has performed in a Big Island of Hawaii bluegrass band and in various Hawaiian music duos and trios since then. He also plays steel with the Merrie Monarchs mens' glee club at Hulihe'e Palace in Kailua-Kona. His favorite thing is to introduce new players to the steel guitar, and he is a familiar sight at music camps and 'ukulele festivals, both in Hawaii and on the US mainland. Bob also regularly backs up a variety of musicians on his invention - the portable, 3 string, slack key-tuned Kona Walkingbass, and he loves showing people that anyone can be a bass player! |  |
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| Dennis Lake: Build Your Own `Ukulele Big Island luthier Dennis Lake builds suberb hand-crafted `ukulele and guitars under the name Po Mahina. He is a patient and dedicated teacher. Click here for more information about the Build Your Own `Ukulele class. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Dennis did an outstanding job! It was obvious that he devoted hours in preparation so that we could go home with a quality ‘ukulele." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Mark Kailana Nelson: Slack Key & `Ukulele
When he's not attending to his duties as Aloha Camp Administrator, Mark is a performing and recording artist with numerous recordings and instructional books to his credit. He and Keola wrote "Learn to Play Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar," (Mel Bay Publications) He also wrote "Learn to Play Fingerstyle `Ukulele" and "Old Time Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar." Mark will teach slack key & 'ukulele at both camps. "Mark's really a gifted teacher. I learned so much." |
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| Annie Lanamalie Dempsey: Camp Hostess Although Annie doesn't teach at camp, the Aloha Camp simply wouldn't work without her. When she's not at camp, Annie designs and sells delightful hand knitting patterns under the trade name Oat Couture. |
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