Independence Day at Maunalua Bay Foundation
7192 Kalanianaole Highway Suite D-214A Honolulu, Hawaii 96825
Phone: (808) 396-9226 Fax: (808) 394-9221
Entertainment
BOBBY MODEROW JR.
KAHI KAONOHI
RICHARD GIDEON
Headlining the entertainment at the second annual Independence Day at Maunalua Bay is a group with ties to the Bay. The founding member of Maunalua, Bobby Moderow Jr., grew up in Hawaii Kai so the Bay is part of the group's heritage.
Maunalua has performed at venues ranging from backyard luaus to neighbor island events, to concerts in Japan, Tahiti, Las Vegas and beyond, earning them a loyal following. Current members are Bobby Moderow, Jr., who was schooled by the legendary Raymond Kane, playing rhythm and slack key guitar, as well as providing vocals; Kahi Kaonohi, a journeyman musician with many local groups and halau before settling in with Maunalua, playing bass guitar and singing; and Richard Gideon, who first picked up a ukulele at age 11 and never put it down, playing ukulele, rhythm guitar and performing vocals.
Bobby was a student of Raymond Kane, legendary slack key master, from 1987 and completedthe State Foundation on Culture and the Arts Apprenticeship Program in 1990, performing at Roy's Hawaii Kai for 12 1/2 years. He conceptualized the group Maunalua in 1993 and the group has recorded three albums with its original members. Richard joined the group in 2009.
Maunalua has performed at venues ranging from backyard luaus to neighbor island events, to concerts in Japan, Tahiti, Las Vegas and beyond, earning them a loyal following. Current members are Bobby Moderow, Jr., who was schooled by the legendary Raymond Kane, playing rhythm and slack key guitar, as well as providing vocals; Kahi Kaonohi, a journeyman musician with many local groups and halau before settling in with Maunalua, playing bass guitar and singing; and Richard Gideon, who first picked up a ukulele at age 11 and never put it down, playing ukulele, rhythm guitar and performing vocals.
Bobby was a student of Raymond Kane, legendary slack key master, from 1987 and completedthe State Foundation on Culture and the Arts Apprenticeship Program in 1990, performing at Roy's Hawaii Kai for 12 1/2 years. He conceptualized the group Maunalua in 1993 and the group has recorded three albums with its original members. Richard joined the group in 2009.
Maunalua has won a Na Hoku Hanohano award and been nominated for a Grammy.
Bobby has taught slack key guitar since 1991 and is working with Martin Guitar Company in the development of a slack-key guitar program. He performed on "Slack-Key Kings" and "Slack-Key Kings Vol. 2," both nominated for Grammys in the Hawaiian music category.
He lists his musical inspirations as Kane, Ledward Ka'apana, Peter Moon, Hui 'Ohana, Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau, Kahauanu Lake Trio, Brothers Cazimero, among others who have created Hawai'I's musical legacy.
Kahi, who has been with Maunalua for 13 years, started playing music in high school in 1984. He sang in the high school choir and was part of a select group of high school choir members that won third place in the "Brown Bags to Stardom" competition. He started an island music band called Kulana, playing with them for five years before joining Maunalua.
His musical inspirations are Kevin Kealoha, Hui 'Ohana, Kahuanu Lake Trio and Waiehu Sons. Besides guitar, he also plays ukulele.
Richard says, "Since I can remember, I always had a deep love for music," and lists his late grandmother Alofanene Hunkin-Misi as one of his inspirations. He formed the group Ka'ena in high school and they later recorded an album. He performed at the Paradise Cover Luau for more than two years and credits that with introducing him to Hawaiian music.
Besides rhythm guitar, he plays bass guitar and Tahitian banjo. Among his other musical inspirations are Ka'au Crater Boys, Pure Heart, Paradise Cove Serenaders, Obrien Eselu, Darren Benitez, Moke Boy, Kalapana, Robert Nesta Marley and the Wailers and John Mayer.
Bobby has taught slack key guitar since 1991 and is working with Martin Guitar Company in the development of a slack-key guitar program. He performed on "Slack-Key Kings" and "Slack-Key Kings Vol. 2," both nominated for Grammys in the Hawaiian music category.
He lists his musical inspirations as Kane, Ledward Ka'apana, Peter Moon, Hui 'Ohana, Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau, Kahauanu Lake Trio, Brothers Cazimero, among others who have created Hawai'I's musical legacy.
Kahi, who has been with Maunalua for 13 years, started playing music in high school in 1984. He sang in the high school choir and was part of a select group of high school choir members that won third place in the "Brown Bags to Stardom" competition. He started an island music band called Kulana, playing with them for five years before joining Maunalua.
His musical inspirations are Kevin Kealoha, Hui 'Ohana, Kahuanu Lake Trio and Waiehu Sons. Besides guitar, he also plays ukulele.
Richard says, "Since I can remember, I always had a deep love for music," and lists his late grandmother Alofanene Hunkin-Misi as one of his inspirations. He formed the group Ka'ena in high school and they later recorded an album. He performed at the Paradise Cover Luau for more than two years and credits that with introducing him to Hawaiian music.
Besides rhythm guitar, he plays bass guitar and Tahitian banjo. Among his other musical inspirations are Ka'au Crater Boys, Pure Heart, Paradise Cove Serenaders, Obrien Eselu, Darren Benitez, Moke Boy, Kalapana, Robert Nesta Marley and the Wailers and John Mayer.
Ramsay Wharton, reporter on KGMB-TV’s Sunrise morning show, will be emcee at the second annual Independence Day at Maunalua Bay.
The event is scheduled from 2 to 9 p.m. at Maunalua Bay Beach Park.
The event is scheduled from 2 to 9 p.m. at Maunalua Bay Beach Park.