Bla Pahinui: Hawaiian Mana (Spirit or Soul)

Summary:

Hawaiian musician Bla Pahinui carries on the legacy of his father Gabby Pahinui, the father of modern slack key guitar, in a unique way. Bla is known for his soulful and distinctive voice, as well as his own style of music.

Additional Credits and Funding:

Editor: Tom Cole, NPR's Cultural Desk
Bla Pahinui Photo Credit: Dancing Cat Records
Many thanks to Bla Pahinui for sharing music from his solo CD "Mana" on Dancing Cat Records, "The Pahinui Bros." and "The Gabby Pahinui Hawaiian Band" on Panini Records and for "Waimanolo Blues" from a live concert with the Native Hawaiian Band.

Timely on:

August: Summertime Music, Asian Pacific Heritage Month in May, or anytime.

Tones:

NPR NewsMagazine-y, Personal, Sound Rich

Language:

English

Description:

Hawaii is home to a legendary musical family, the Pahinui's. Gabby Pahinui is called the father of modern slack key guitar. Since his death in1980, three of his sons have been carrying on his musical legacy. One of them is Bla Pahanui, who has released a solo CD called "Mana," which means spirit or soul.

Bla embraces his Hawaiian roots by playing slack key and singing in Hawaiian, and also his love of doo-wop and the rthythm and blues that he grew up on.

This piece includes interviews with Bla Pahinui and Dennis Kamakahi, who's also a respected Hawaiian musician and prolific composer.

Originally broadcast on NPR's Weekend Edition in 1997.

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