A Hawaiian Christmas with Slack Key Master Kapono Beamer

A Hawaiian Christmas with slack key master Kapono Beamer will fill your heart and soul with the Aloha spirit on Christmas Day.  He shares memories of what it was like growing up in the Beamer family, one of Hawaii's most respected musical families, and how they celebrated the holidays.  On his CD, "Great Grandmother, Great Grandson," Kapono plays music inspired by his great grandmother, Helen Desha Beamer.  She was a prominent Hawaiian songwriter in the first half of the 20th century, who was known for her exquisite melodies.

During this half-hour long music special hosted by Heidi Chang, Kapono also performs live, singing "Silent Night" in Hawaiian.  Hawaiian culture is based on the oral tradition.  So Kapono is passing on his family's rich cultural heritage, through his stories and music.  His island roots goes back to the 15th Century.  Kapono also talks story about music and life, and explains how his pop hit, "Only Good Times," ended up on the soundtrack of Hollywood's first big budget surf film, "Big Wednesday," directed by John Milius.

Kapono Beamer is a talented guitarist, singer and songwriter in his own right.  As a member of the Beamer Brothers, one of Hawaii's most popular duos, he helped spark the Hawaiian renaissance in the 70's, creating a new contemporary Hawaiian sound.  The Beamer Brothers “Honolulu City Lights" album remains one of the most successful selling records in the history of Hawaiian music.  In 2006, Kapono’s recording, "Slack Key Dreams of the Ponomoe,” was nominated for a Grammy for Hawaiian Album of the Year.  He is a multiple winner of Hawaii's version of the Grammy Awards, known as the "Na Hoku Hanohano" Awards.

Sad note:  Since this special initially aired, Kapono's grandmother, and also his mother, Nona Beamer, a gifted composer and hula master, have passed away.  But their spirit lives on through Kapono's storytelling, and the depth and beauty of his music.

To learn more about Kapono Beamer, visit his website. 

A Hawaiian Christmas with slack key master Kapono Beamer will fill your heart and soul with the Aloha spirit on Christmas Day.  He shares memories of what it was like growing up in the Beamer family, one of Hawaii's most respected musical families, and how they celebrated the holidays.  On his CD, "Great Grandmother, Great Grandson," Kapono plays music inspired by his great grandmother, Helen Desha Beamer.  She was a prominent Hawaiian songwriter in the first half of the 20th century, who was known for her exquisite melodies.

During this half-hour long music special hosted by Heidi Chang, Kapono also performs live, singing "Silent Night" in Hawaiian.  Hawaiian culture is based on the oral tradition.  So Kapono is passing on his family's rich cultural heritage, through his stories and music.  His island roots goes back to the 15th Century.  Kapono also talks story about music and life, and explains how his pop hit, "Only Good Times," ended up on the soundtrack of Hollywood's first big budget surf film, "Big Wednesday," directed by John Milius.

Kapono Beamer is a talented guitarist, singer and songwriter in his own right.  As a member of the Beamer Brothers, one of Hawaii's most popular duos, he helped spark the Hawaiian renaissance in the 70's, creating a new contemporary Hawaiian sound.  The Beamer Brothers “Honolulu City Lights" album remains one of the most successful selling records in the history of Hawaiian music.  In 2006, Kapono’s recording, "Slack Key Dreams of the Ponomoe,” was nominated for a Grammy for Hawaiian Album of the Year.  He is a multiple winner of Hawaii's version of the Grammy Awards, known as the "Na Hoku Hanohano" Awards.

Sad note:  Since this special initially aired, Kapono's grandmother, and also his mother, Nona Beamer, a gifted composer and hula master, have passed away.  But their spirit lives on through Kapono's storytelling, and the depth and beauty of his music.

To learn more about Kapono Beamer, visit his website.