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George Kahumoku Jr. documentary ‘A Hawaiian Life’ in production

By Staff | Jul 5, 2012

A documentary will explore George Kahumoku Jr.’s life. Photo by Shane Tegarden.

WEST MAUI – “George Kahumoku Jr. is so much more than just a musician – he’s a way of life. In truth, I was wrong when I wrote that. He is so much more. He’s an inspiration,” noted Jamie O’Brien, Celtic musician and music reviewer.

There’s a reason he’s been called “Hawaii’s Renaissance Man.” George Kahumoku Jr. is a multiple Grammy Award and Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winning master slack key guitarist, songwriter, world-traveling performer, high school teacher and college professor, artist and sculptor, storyteller and writer, farmer and entrepreneur.

His music, teaching, art and influence have reached across the ocean from Hawaii to the Mainland USA, and all the way to Europe and Japan.

To tell Kahumoku’s story in a 90-minute movie, Maui producer Dave Berry is beginning a documentary on Uncle George entitled “A Hawaiian Life.”

Similar to his book, this feature-length film will focus on the three main areas of Kahumoku’s public life – teaching, farming and music – and it will show how aloha and ohana connect them all.

Funds are being raised to produce this documentary, which can then be aired on national and local Hawaiian networks, film festivals and schools in Hawaii.

The goal of $30,000 has almost been reached. Supporters are asked to go to Kickstarter.com, George Kahumoku Jr. A Hawaiian Life and make a pledge. The $25 donation includes an autographed copy of the DVD when it’s completed.

“George, in my opinion, is the absolute soul of Hawaiian traditional music. He has given his life to helping kids at risk and opening many searching souls to the wonders of playing Hawaiian slack key music, starting when these tunings were kept secret. George was one of the people who helped open up this wonderful tradition to the world,” remarked Sandy Miranda Robinett, a broadcaster in the San Francisco Bay area.

Kahumoku hosts Hawaii music legends at his four-time Grammy Award-winning “Slack Key Show – Masters of Hawaiian Music” concerts held at the Napili Kai Beach Resort Pavilion each Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. More information and a show calendar are posted at www.SlackKeyShow.com.