I was raised in Käne'ohe by my parents Alexander Kapilialoha Hewett and Alice Pualeilani Käna‘e Hewett in the home of my maternal grandparents, Frank Ka‘aiali‘i Käna‘e and Eva Wahineali‘i Rowan Käna‘e.
My grandmother was my first inspiration in the learning the hula. She loved to sing and she loved to dance. I was her punahele and I went every where with her tugging at her mu‘umu‘u. Her signature song at all family events as well as when she performed in public was, "Mauna Loa."
‘Ölelo Häwai‘i was spoken regularly in our grandparents home especially by my grandmother's sisters and brother. When I began to compose poetry, it was my grandmother who first scrutinized my mele to make sure all was done correctly.
My grandmother encouraged me to pursue formal training of the hula and in 1972 I became a student of Kahuna Emma deFries. Aunty Emma was a practitioner of the healing traditions of la‘au kähea, la‘au lapa‘au, ho‘oponopono and lomilomi. Aunty Emma also went through the ceremony of ‘uniki with the renowned hula master Keaka Kanahele. I trained with her for nine years in the healing traditions and the hula until my own ‘uniki with her in November of 1980.
In 1977 Aunty Emma introduced me to Gerry Santos and Robert Beaumont of "Olomana." That day I danced for them the song, "Mele O Kaho‘olawe," written by Uncle Harry Mitchel. That was the beginning of a relationship that would last 28 years. I became a part of the "Olomana," family as a featured soloist and continue to perform with them regularly at the Hilton Häwai‘ian Village at the Paradise lounge.
Besides performing regularly with Olomana for the past 26 years I have also performed with Aunty Genoa Keawe. It was Aunty that first took me to perform with her in Japan over 10 years ago. Both Aunty and I traveled to Siberia in Russia to be the first Häwai‘ians to perform the mele and hula on Russian National T.V.
While performing with Olomana in the late 70's and early 80's at the Tropics at the Ala Moana Americana Hotel, I also performed nightly in the same hotel in the Ali‘i Room with Palani Vaughn. Ironically, the same time that I became Olomana's hula soloist, I also became Palani Vaughn's. I was doing then, four shows a night, two with Olomana and two with Palani Vaughn.
Between the years of 1972 and 1977 I performed with a group known as, "E Ho‘oHäwai'i Käkou," based out of Kona Häwai‘i. I performed with the ‘Ä‘ala and Mikahala Roy. We performed solely Hula Kahiko. "E Ho'oHäwai‘iKäkou was instructed and mentored by Hula Master Iolani Luahine.
In 1975 I attended the University of Häwai‘i at the Hilo Campus. It was there that I became acquainted with Aunty Edith Kanaka‘ole. Aunty Edith became my kumu for ‘Ölelo Häwai‘i and tutored me in poetry. I also learned Hula and Chanting from her. I graduated in 1977 with a degree in Liberal Studies with an emphasis on the Häwai‘ian Culture.
A highlight of my hula career was when I was asked to perform for Mikhail Barishnokov. He came to Häwai‘i to perform and a special dinner was arranged for him at Black Point. There was a large crowd of people there and everyone was busy talking as I performed the hula. No one was really paying attention to us at all. He walked in and immediately placed his chair directly in front of me. He spoke to no one but intently fixed his eyes on me as I danced. The people stopped talking, everyone sat down and all became silent following his example.
At the end of our performance he gave me a standing ovation which again everyone followed. He told me then that I was the most spiritual and captivating dancer that he had ever seen. I told him that I was a great fan of his dance. He replied that now he was a great fan of my dance.
Got into recording way back in the 70’s when Teresa Bright and I at the request of K.C.C.N. disc jockey Braddah Kelly asked us to come into the studio and do a couple of demo tapes. With Teresa on the guitar, Mapuana Ringler on the wash tub base and I on the ukulele we recorded “Lehua Makanoe,” Ka Moaÿe,” and a medley of traditional songs. The recordings became very popular and that was the beginning of my recording career. Between then and now I have recorded 7 CD’s and have made guest appearances on several others to include John Cruz, Tommy Tokioka and Malia Rosa.
My newest release is titled, “Ulu Kau,” or “Unexplained Knowledge.” It was released in December of 2004. This CD is dedicated to all the entertainers in Häwaiÿi who have recorded my music over the years. The list includes, Aunty Genoa Keawe, Teresa Bright, Del Beazley, Olomana, Gerry Santos, Haunani Apoliona, The Brothers Cazimero, Palani Vaughn, Loyal Garner, Israel Kamakawiwoÿole and the Makaha Sons of Niÿihau, Melveen Leed, The Lim Family, Lorna Lim, Three Scoops of Aloha, The Peter Moon Band, The Makaha Sons, Ellsworth Simeona, Raÿiatea Helm, John Cruz, Hawaiÿian Heart, Aleÿa, Keola and Kapono Beamer, Kawai Cockett, Sonny Chillingsworth, Sean Naÿauao, Kamalani Kia, Hoÿokena, Kuÿuipo Kumukahi, Leilani Rivera Bond, Mele Ohana, Kunia Galdeira, Agnes Kimura, Maki Inouye, Antion, Tommy Tokioka, Malia Rosa, Lydia Bliss, Lau Loa and Koji Hirai.
Web Kupua Earl Stokes email: stokes@lava.net