MENTORSHIP UPDATES
Hālau Kū Māna
Hālau Kū Māna students were paid a special visit by long-time musician and MM supporter “Papa Joe”Espinda. Papa Joe has been playing music for decades, as the keyboardist for Butch Helemano, B.E.T, Kawao and many more. Papa Joe spent many years learning various instruments such as `ukulele, keyboards, guitar, and the melodica.
In this mentorship session, Papa Joe taught the haumāna basic and advanced `ukulele techniques, and songs such as Liko Martin’s “Nanakuli Blues” (also known as Waimanalo Blues) and “Hawai’i ’78”.
We’d like to send a BIG mahalo to Papa Joe for volunteering his time for our keiki!
Halau Lokahi
The latest mentorship sessions at Hālau Lōkahi showcased songwriting and vocal techniques, led by local artists and long-time MM supporters Jen “Paisley” Cua, Joseph “Seph1” Rosales, and Maria “Songbird” Remos. All three artists are accomplished vocalists and songwriters. They shared a number of practices related to vocal warm-ups, troubleshooting performances, freestyle exercises, songwriting, respect for self and others, and confidence.
In this picture, Seph1 works with his haumāna on freestyle writing exercises. Seph1 is an MC (both onstage lyricist and event host) and DJ (both radio show host and spinning music at live events). He has supported Hawaiian community-based education through hosting and performing at various Mana Maoli events, as well as school visits and mentorships at Hālau Kū Māna, and now Hālau Lōkahi.
Halau Lokahi
The haumana of Hālau Lōkahi’s mentorship sessions with Jen “Paisley” Cua chose “7th Generation” as a warm-up song before every practice. Composed by four Hālau Kū Māna youth ages 11-17 in the school’s opening year (2001), this song was the very first inspiration to create the Maoli Music program and the Mana Mele Project.
In this photo, Paisley is teaching the haumāna the importance of stage presence and vocals. “7th Generation” on Mana Maoli Volume 1.
This is no longer in print, but you can get it on our donation page, iTunes, or longtime Mana Maoli supporters Kupa’aina’s album.
Hakipu’u Learning Center
Calvin Hoe, Mailani Makaʻinaʻi, and Lock Lynch for kicked off the 1st round of Mana Mele mentorships at Hakipuʻu Learning Center (HLC), a public charter school based at Windward Community College.
Calvin focused on lyric analysis and making instruments, Mailani on vocals, and Lock on engineering. All mentorships went great!
Mahalo to all our Hakipu’u mentors and mahalo to the administration team and kumu at HLC for accommodating and hosting, and to the ʻōpio at HLC for investing your precious after school time into learning and growing with your mentors!
NOTE: None of this would be possible without the generosity of our mentors. If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about mentoring Hawaiian Charter School youth through the Mana Mele Program, please email manamaoli@yahoo.com or call 808-626-5395.
Mahalo nui to the Administration for Native Americans and Johnson ʻOhana Charitable Foundation for making this program possible!
Funding for the Mana Mele Program has been provided by the Administration for Native Americans and Johnson ‘Ohana Charitable Foundation, founded by Jack and Kim Johnson to support environmental, art, and music education now and into the future.
