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Aloha Tula,

 

We've come back again to enjoy another Tula Production.  The show Saturday night at the Sherwood Auditorium featuring Hapa was awesome.  Those three guys are great, and I could never say enough wonderful things about Nathan Aweau and that huge talent of his.  The hula is so addictive and fun.  It made it nice to see local performers as well.  Barry Flannagan's style of playing is something you have to see.  And we laughed when Charles Kaupu commented about being out of breath when he was talking after performing a hula. 

 

As we were leaving we ran into Charles in the lobby and he shook our hands; what other celebrity does that?  Amazing. 

 

Thanks again and wishing you all things wonderful for 2009.

 

Oceans of Aloha!

Jonnie S and Earl J

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Aloha e  Tula:  
Just a quick note to say Mahalo once again for a great concert.  I did not get a chance to tell you personally at the concert, you were your usual self buzzing here and there.....so I decided to wait and give you a day or so of rest and then write.  First, Mahalo for letting Uncle come in and sit while we were waiting for the doors to open.  He has more and more trouble with standing, and it was very very much appreciated.  xoxoxoxoxoxo

 

Daniel was adorable, as always....he is one of my favorite people.  He is so nice to work with and so very very talented.   Mahalo for having him as a part of the program....and of course Darlene is another sweetheart....We had a nice talk afterward, and we also chatted for a bit at the airport. when she heard I was headed to Hilo, she gave me her number and said to call and maybe we could meet at Kens and have lunch or coffee or something.....she heard the sons asking me about Kealoha and she was filled in on Kealoha's studies etc, by John and she said she wants to meet her....so we shall see!

 

The sons....like what can you say????    they were the usual show stoppers and full of mischief guys they always are.....and I guess that is why they are such an enjoyable act to see.   Mahalo again!.

 

All the halau were awesome and it was so nice to be able to sit back and enjoy it all and not be running about back stage  hehehe!!!!  

 

After the concert, I went to get my picture signed ( all the photos I have of me and the Makaha sons, I never had one signed..)   So we did it this time.....First question. from them ....are you going to be at the airport tomorrow when we leave?   So we set up a meet at the airport and I reminded them to come upstairs and see me and we would get them checked in up there.  I could not rearrange any seats this year, as the station manager was in Manila, and she is the only one who can do that!   But they all were o.k. with everything and we got them checked in and we talked story for a while about this and that....and I reminded them where the first class lounge was so that they could go there before the flight and relax....so we walked them to security and off they went with their usual "quiet" manner   and the flight left on time.   As always the staff at Hawaiian air were thrilled to help them.....we had only one guy there, an airport bag handler who did not know who they were.....so out come the i pod and they put it on him so he can hear  how they sound....As always they were full of mischief, but he loved their sound and I promised I would bring him one of my extra CD as a christmas present. 

 

So again Tula.....you gave us a wonderful program and a lot of pride in our San Diego and Carson halau.

Great evening and I hope that you are all rested now and getting ready for the holidays!

Uncle and I leave on the 17th to go to Hilo for our annual Christmas    R & R.....just play lazy and do what we want to do only when we want to.  But as always we have some things we do with Karen and JOhn and generally just enjoy being with them and taking life easy.

 

God  Bless and  Keep you in HIS care.    Have a blessed Christmas and a Happy new year.

 

Love ya   Auntie B .xoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxo

Tula -

 I totally love the two productions of yours that I've been to.  I just sent a long e-mail to your web corresponce.  Please read it.  Mahalo.  
- Anne -

Mahalo nui loa!!!
We love seeing Hapa.   Live is the BEST!!!

Kim and Dan S

PS.  Tula, hope you are okay, we were worried after you fell from the stage.
 

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Dear Tula,

 

Thanks again for bringing Hapa back in town.  This years show was our third straight trip to the Sherwood Auditorium for the Hapa concert and as always our 2 girls made it once again.  It's become somewhat of a family tradition to see Hapa in La Jolla in February.  The show was great as always and it was nice to hear a few new songs not previously performed at Sherwood Auditorium.  We hope to bring our son next year.

 

See you again next year,

Michael, Susan, Michaela ( age 7 ), Malia ( age 5 )

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Tula
How is the arm?
We saw you take that triple gainer off the stage before the Hapa concert.  As we were leaving we saw that your arm was wrapped.  We hope it's not serious.

The concert was marvelous!  Stay well.

Aloha
Alex and Patty B

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I had more fun last night than any man ought to. Thanks to everyone for coming to our "luau". Check this website www.tulaproductions.org for picture of Friday's concert (they'll probably post them sometime on Monday or Tuesday). Many thanks to Tula Productions, another great show! We'll all be back next year! 

Ana and Walton

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No complaints. Everything was perfect, as far as my wife and I were concerned. Hope you're recovering well after that nasty fall.

Best regards,

David M

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The first concert of theirs I saw was at the California Performing Arts Center in Escondido.  The stage had a beautiful outrigger canoe and large potted palms that were brought in.  Anything that made the stage area more "Hawaiian" would make a big difference. 

I've seen Hapa 10 times. The music keeps getting better...amazing. 

John C

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Another wonderful evening with Hapa and a very nice crowd.  Mahalo for always bringing them here.  We look forward to your next production.

Cheryl T

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My wife and I just wish it had gone longer this year. Their music is so great we just don't want it to end!

Mike S

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We absolutely LOVED the show AND the venue!  We saw Hapa at Humphrey's last time and although they were excellent, that venue is the worst.  So uncomfortable, etc.  We have raved to our friends about the concert and the event and hope that we remain on your mailing list so we know what's coming up next.  Thanks for a great evening!

Bob and Susan B
 

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Tula,
The show was great.. How about Barefoot Natives? 

David W. W

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Hapa never disappoints.  This year, I had the pleasure of introducing them to a group of my friends who had never seen them, or any other live Hawai'ian music show.  Everyone left the hall last night feeling great - feeling that they had been a part of something positive and special.  (My friend Shawn leaned in to me and told me that the dancer moved 'like a waterfall').  You can't get that kind of feeling in a mosh pit! There were 16 of us together this year, next year there will definitely be more and we can't wait!

Thanks again,
Ana and Walton

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Aloha e Tula,
Just wanted to send a quick note to say Mahalo for putting on such a great show last night.  It was my first time at the Sherwood... nice to see HAPA in an up-close & cozy atmosphere like that.  It was nice to see you too, next time I will have to make sure to say hello... didn't want to bother you last night.  You are looking great!

Hope you are not too sore or banged-up from your fall.  My husband was the haole guy down there helping to pick up the ipu's.  We were getting to our seats, he wanted to go around down by the stage, then I hear a little commotion & noticed people gathering down there but couldn't see who fell, I thought it might have been him for a moment.  When he got back up to us, he said when he was walking down there a lady fell from behind the curtain.  I didn't know it was you until intermission or else I would have went down there to check on you... sorry.  Again Mahalo nui, we enjoyed the show!

Malama pono,
Lani & 'Ohana

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Aloha Tula,

Mahalo nui loa for a wonderful evening with Hapa! We all enjoyed it tremendously and can't wait to see the pictures. We can't wait until next year!! I hope your arm is feeling better today. 

Much love,
Irene

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I just wanted to say thank you so much for our beautiful night with the Makaha Sons and of course Keali'i Reichel.

Just an idea for next year that may or may not make sense. Maybe of course the Makaha Sons with Henry Kapono.  Have you heard his Christmas cd, its beautiful.  We can't wait for next years concerts.

Thank you again for all you do.
 

Jim Marabotto
 

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Tula, ...this was our first time seeing the Makaha Sons in person and I'm the big Hawaiian music fan in our house.  I had happy tears rolling down my face on their very first song (I'm a cry baby anyway), and this was so worth the wait.  They are so awesome, so down to earth and just so darn talented. It was fun to see Keali'i Reichel too (another first), and his live performance was also exceptional. I really enjoyed the dancers - all of them.  I don't know Hula, but I know the movements tell a story and it's just beautiful to watch.  Oceans of Aloha! Jonnie Santos and Earl Jackson

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Aloha Tula,
Alyce here.  I had planned to E you the next day but was just too tired when I got home from work.  I just wanted to say Mahalo for all the Aloha the Concert was so AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. It was a little cramped but I didn't notice once the Concert began.  I so enjoyed the laughter and music.  I have to admit the high light was Keali'i cam on stage.  I'm such a big fan of his music and to top it all off he danced AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. Beyond my vocabulary, blow the roof off the place.  I only wished I could have been up their dancing with him.  The seats were great, almost could reach out and touch him.  ( Just gave myself shivers thinking about it.  I asked you but I think I asked the wrong people they didn't know who you were, It was also so busy and I didn't know if I should sneak back stage or if I would even master that, but I saw you on stage and I even though about shouting out to you but I didn't want to upset my husband so just know I was sending you lots of Aloha from my seat.  I didn't get back to Hemet till midnight and had to get up at 5am to get ready for work.  I worked till 4pm got off and hour early.  Talk about dragging through the day I couldn't even get with it I was still at the concert in my mind.  I came home and went to bed slept till 7:30am the next morning, I was tired.  Hope you have a Wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours keep in touch and I'm sure are paths will cross again for another event.

Much Love
Alyce Mahalo

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Tula, 
The concert was awesome.  I'm glad it was a sell-out for you.  We wanted to thank you for the very nice hotel room at your rate.  It was soooo nice & comfy! 
Please keep us informed about the possibility of bringing the guys to Houston for a concert.  My brother lives there and we might just be able to go to it.
 
We wish you & your ohana a very nice holiday season. 
ke aloha,  Ruth & Jim Edens

 

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Congratulations on a great concert!
That was just the best and the Halau thru the years that I have seen them, have just gotten wonderful.  They seem a lot more dedicated which translates into better timing and presentation.  Truly an emotional experience.
Loved the venue.

Mahalo,
dennis/darren

 

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Aloha Tula!
I had to express my thanks for such a great show, last night at the North Park Theatre.  The Makaha Sons were great and, because I know Keali'i through emails to Him and Fred, it was a delight to see him perform.
I'm retired, at age 52, and was wondering if there's any way I could help with any of your productions?
I often visit Hawaii, especially Maui.  Some day I'd love to call it "Home"!  My two best friends live there and they are constantly telling me I belong on the Islands.  Well, that could be a possibility very soon. But, I'd love to get involved in making more people realize how important it is to bring the Hawaiian Culture to the Mainland.  Please let me know how I could get involved in helping you with any further productions possible. It would fulfill a Life-Long Dream of mine.

Yours truly,
Doug Langelier

Thank you for an absolutely fabulous time!
The concert was great... Sharing the experience with our Ohana and the great love of my life - PRICELESS...  You have an extraordinary website.  I was surprised to see that the Makaha Son's photos were already on there.
Thanks for breakfast.  It was wonderful to be with family.  There was no issues, no drama and everyone was just so happy to be there & share the experience. 
Bravo Ms. Striffer... Bravo
(please remind Patsy to send you photos from last night & the breakfast.)

Have a SUPER day
Raenal L. Souza

Aloha Tula,
Mahalo for bringing the Makaha Sons & Keali'i back to San Diego again!  I really enjoyed the performance last night - it's amazing how those lovely harmonies make it sound like more than 3 guys!  And all the dancers were so beautiful - it was just lovely!
When you have a spare moment (when???) could you let me know who the beautiful solo dancer was?  She looks so familiar but I didn't catch her name, and with my age and poor eyesight I'm embarrassed to admit it's probably someone I know.

Happy Holidays to you and all your 'Ohana,
Anne

I've seen Hapa 3 times, twice with your company and once at Humphrey's. I prefer the 'feel' of your shows. I like the non-alcoholic venues. I like the crafts that are for sale. I feel a closer  experience. Keep up the great work.

Another HAPA concert, and once again we all left La Jolla singing to the CD's we had just purchased.  We attend every year, and enjoy it every time.  As was mentioned by some of the other posts, I would love to see a little mix in the music - same sets as last year - There is so much talent in this group that is seems a shame to spend it on the same mele two years in a row.  We will be back when HAPA returns!
 
Kai & Christine (February 19, 2007)

Excellent production.  I always enjoy HAPA this time we brought several of our friends who enjoyed it also.  They are still talking about it.   Please place me on the newsletter so I can learn about the concerts ahead of time.  I try to attend as much as I can and try to promote our culture.  The chanter was great.  My daughter danced at it and you have alot of pictures of her .

Dottie S (February 19, 2007)

Great show!  Three very talented musicians, and a top-notch dancer.  I look forward to the next time.

Mahalo for such a wonderful HAPA concert Friday night!  Barry, Nathan and Charles sounded fantastic (as usual) and my wife and I had a great time.  The sound quality was excellent and the venue for the concert was perfect, it made for a quaint and personal atmosphere.  My wife and I also especially loved shopping from all the vendors prior to the show.  I believe we purchased something from nearly every one of them!  Please keep up the good work there at Tula Productions and we look forward to seeing your next Hawaiian music concert. Mahalo, Darren & Yumi  (February 19, 2007)

The Hapa concert was wonderful.  The sound quality was great for the music and singing, but I couldn't understand a lot of what they were saying when talking because the sound was too loud and distorted.  Also I would have loved to have seen the dancer's feet.  They were hidden behind the musicians and the decorations on the raised platform in front of her.   Other than those small points, it was perfect.