Keali'i Reichel Ho'onanea Hawaiian Series a fundraising event for Halau Ke'alaokamaile at the MACC 2009 Maui Hawai'i

Keali'i Reichel Ho'onanea Hawaiian Series a fundraising event for Halau Ke'alaokamaile at the MACC 2009 Maui Hawai'i

Copyright © Sharon Mau 2009
All Rights Reserved

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi
No post processing

My husband Jacob was set up for a showing with his photography booth along with several other talented artists while I attended this performance at the MACC, the Maui Arts and Cultural Center in the Castle Theater on Maui. I invited my friend Suzane to attend with me and we sat in the second row. Here Keali’i is gazing directly into my viewfinder but the image isn’t very good as the light was low. Presently a man came to me and told me to stop taking photographs or he would confiscate my camera. At least I was able to get a few shots before I had to tuck my camera away.

To hear Keali’i sing was wonderful and to hear him sing Maunaleo was significantly meaningful for me. The Hula dancers were so beautiful. This wonderful fund raising event for Halau Ke’alaokamaile performance also featured the Maui Pops Orchestra 17 January 2009.

Afterward, as I was leaving and walking around to the back employee parking area in the darkness where I had parked my car, I noticed a small crowd of people waiting and greeting the musicians and dancers as they were exiting the side doors. I continued on and walked around to the back, saw light coming from an open door and I saw Keali’i standing in the hallway corridor with his back to me perhaps 20 feet away. So, I entered the door quietly and respectfully approached him as I waited for a moment as everyone was talking story. At the optimum moment when there was a break in the conversation, I said ‘Keali’i’

He turned and gazed at me as I said Aloha. He answered Aloha as I shook his hand, then handed my business card to him, which features my Maunaleo ~ Journey With Spirit
image, explaining to him how I created this image for him two years ago in deepest respect for his work in perpetuating the Hawaiian language and culture, the beautiful Hula and his wonderful work with the keiki, the children of Hawai’i. I told him the image is called Maunaleo ~ Journey With Spirit. He thanked me. I asked him if I could take his photograph and he answered “Only if you are in it”.
Oh je.
Well, I can tell you my heart sank, for I am reluctant to permit anyone to use my camera and every single time I have handed my camera over to someone, the images are always out of focus for most people do not seem to understand how to use it and set the focal points. But I smiled politely and said thank you and handed it over to a woman standing on my right. My heart was racing and I was thinking…. I really want to take his photo myself. You know?

And of course, as you may imagine, the images are out of focus. Not the greatest, I am somewhat disappointed, and I certainly don’t think I would upload them here. Yet, the most important thing for me is that I actually had the opportunity to meet Keali’i, make contact and place my card in his hands. I asked him if he will contact me and he said yes. I would like the opportunity to do a CD cover or a portrait of him. I can only hope he will follow through. ‘Ae, it was wonderful to meet him. I would also like for my husband Jacob and Keali’i to get together and talk story, that would be tremendous!

“Keali’i Reichel is an acclaimed singer, songwriter, chanter, hula teacher, and cultural resource. He has earned 29 Hoku Awards from the Hawaiian Academy of Recording Arts for his eight music releases over 15 years. He was a Grammy Award nominee in 2004, and his debut album Kawaipunahele received gold certification by the RIAA in 2005. Keali’i continues his work to perpetuate the language, dance and poetry of Hawai’i through hula, music, and chant.” Information source: MACC

Keali'i Reichel Ho'onanea Hawaiian Series a fundraising event for Halau Ke'alaokamaile at the MACC 2009 Maui Hawai'i belongs to the following groups:

Complex Simplicity of Art, ! 100% !, !**CANDID PHOTOGRAPHS of friends and family~~ (PLEASE ADD A DESCRIPTION OF WHO IS IN THE PICTURE)**!, *1:1 with Celebrities, *1:1 with the News (Images Only With a Story), All Around the Styles, All Things Poetic, Artistic, Philosophical, Americas ~ Rural, Urban, Wild, Free, Art And Text, Art Inspired by Dreams, Beach Art, Canon DSLR (One Image Per Day & A Canon Camera Must Be In The Description Before It's Accepted), Canon Vs Nikon (1 per day!), Creative, Talented, and Unknown, Dimensions, DSLR Users Only - 1/24 - Camera & Lens In Description Please., Everyday Life, Feminine Intent (LIMIT TWO IMAGES PER DAY), Freedom In Words & Art, Hawai'i ~ Aloha Na'au, Images & Ideas, Kairos, Live, Love, Dream: , MAJOR EVENT , Mature Men, Mood & Ambience - Strictly Photos, Mysteries of the Common(2 per day), PEACE, LOVE & TRANQUILITY, Safe Haven, Scenery, Shameless Self-Promotion, Spiritual Art, The Healing Journey, The Human Condition, The World, Tropical Art and Vibrant and Vivid Color Available for sale as

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