The Lobby | Happenings
A Talented ‘Ohana By Ki-Lin Reece ➳ Founded in 2019, the non-profit Kealakai Center for Pacific Strings is dedicated to researching, restoring and cele- brating the rich history of luthi- ery (the art of construction and repair of stringed instruments), and musical arts in Hawai‘i. Our journey began during a research
waterman and Olympic medalist, Duke Kahanamoku. Duke’s father, Duke Kahanamoku Sr. was thirteen years old when his half-brother Lui was born in 1882. A talented musician himself and member of the Royal Kawaihau Glee Club, in 1893 Duke Sr. organized the musicians to appear at the Chicago World’s Fair. In 1900, Lui, under the name Louis K. Thompson, graduated from the Kamehameha Schools and the music program led by Royal Hawaiian Band Master
Duke Kahanamoku Sr.
expedition to the Library of Congress in 2017, where we stumbled upon a collection of recordings dating back to 1904, performed by a Hawaiian string ensem- ble named the Honolulu Students. Recognizing the historical significance of these recordings, we em- barked on a mission to digitally remaster and re-re- lease these records. Through our research eorts, we have unveiled the identity of the bandleader and violinist within the ensemble, a man named Lui Thompson. Lui it turns out is none other than the uncle of the renowned
Henry Berger, at which time he began his career as a professional musician. In 1901, Mekia Kealakai engaged him as a violinist to perform at the World’s Fair in Bualo, New York, launching a successful musical career that would lead him to international stardom. When Lui Thompson passed in June of 1937, his nephew Duke Jr. had his ashes returned to Hawai‘i to be laid to rest with the Kahanamoku ‘ohana. For more information, visit Pacific String Museum at pacific-strings.org
Annual OCC Photo Contest SUBMISSION PERIOD: October 1–31
It’s me to show o your epic shots at the annual OCC Photo Contest! The contest opens Sunday, October 1. OCC members and their immediate families are welcome to par cipate. Each par cipant can enter up to two photographs per category. For those who would like to submit 8x10 photos, paper forms will be available at the Front Desk. Make sure to get your photos in by Tuesday, October 31 at 5 p.m. Visit the outriggercanoeclub.com for more details and instruc ons on how to upload your digital photos.
10 AMA | SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2023
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