MAUI CELTIC NEWS ARCHIVE
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2013
Tuesday December 31st/Wednesday January 1st - HAPPY HOGMANAY to all our Scottish friends, and HAPPY NEW YEAR to all !
Sunday December 29th - Daniel hosted a Hogmanay/New Year Special on the Maui Celtic Show on 'Sunday Solstice' on Mana'o Radio 91.7 FM, Wailuku, Maui. He played Celtic music from all over the world, with historical facts and traditions of the Scottish New Year. Hamish called in from Vancouver BC, with New Year greetings for the listeners. Thanks to show underwriters The Irish Rovers.
Sunday Dec 29th - over on Oahu, The Caledonian Society of Hawaii held a Pre-Hogmanay Ceilidh in the Penthouse Party Room at 1001 Wilder Ave, Honolulu, from 3-7pm. An informal party, with games, activities, conversation and a light supper. There were Holiday charades, Christmas crackers to pull, and a wee dram to honour the coming year of 2014. True to ceilidh tradition folks brought a 'party piece' - a song, joke, poem or whatever else they had to share. Introductory Scottish Country Dancing was lead by Chieftain Bruce McEwan. More details please call Jeannie Ferrier at 593-0966 or email jeferrier@msn.com.
Wednesday December 25th - Hamish and Jennifer at Maui Celtic wish you all a happy and safe holiday season. Cheers !
Hawaiian - MELE KALIKIMAKA ME KA HAUOLI MAKAHIKI HOU
Scots Gaelic - Nollaig Chridheil agus Bliadhna Mhath Ur
Irish - Nollaig Shona agus Bliain Nua Mhaith
Manx - Nollick Ghennal as Blein Vie Noa
Welsh - Nadolig LLawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda
Cornish - Nadelik Looan na Blydhen Nowydh Da
Breton - Nedeleg Laouen na Bloav Ezh Mat
Galician - Bon Nadal e Bo Ani Novo
Asturian - Feliz Nadal y prósperu Añu Nuevu
Sunday December 22nd - Daniel was hosting the second Maui Celtic Solstice/Christmas Special on the Maui Celtic Show on 'Sunday Solstice' on Mana'o Radio 91.7 FM, Wailuku, Maui. Along with guest Joel Agnew, and they played Celtic music from all over the world, and Hamish called in from Vancouver BC, with historical facts and stories of the season. Thanks to show underwriters The Irish Rovers.
Saturday December 21st - WINTER SOLSTICE GREETINGS !
The Winter Solstice (summer solstice in the southern hemisphere) is around December 21st. The ancient Gaulish Druids called their month of November-December "Dumanios", or 'The Darkest Depths'. The Winter Solstice was a celebration of the rising of the sun from it's lowest point in the sky, back to longer days and the lighter part of the year. Evergreen trees were seen as a reminder that spring would bring re-birth. Druids ceremoniously cut mistletoe, and offerings were made to the Gods for the return of the Sun. Mistletoe was sacred, and (as well as an antidote for poisons) had a fertility connection, carried on to this day as the tradition of "kissing under the mistletoe".
While the ancient Celts celebrated the solstice, the ancient Romans on December 25th had a festival dedicated to Mithras, their God of Light, celebrating 'the birth of the unconquerable sun'. In the early Christian world, Christmas was celebrated on dates as far apart as January 1st, January 6th, March 29th, and even September 29th ! At the end of the 4th century, Pope Julius 1st fixed the date as December 25th, where it has remained to this day. Later Pope Gregory sent the monk Augustine (a future saint) into the Celtic Isles, but told him to build his new churches on the temple sites of the Old Religion, and to hold Christian celebrations on Pagan Festival Days, to promote a continuity of belief. In this way, Christmas was welded to older celebrations.
In the Viking world of Northern Europe, they celebrated Yuletide with festivals of Fire and Lights, and brought evergreens (holly, ivy, and conifers) into the house, to symbolise the eternity of life. Holly represents the male in folklore, and ivy the female, and the entwining of both in wreaths, and other decorations, symbolised harmony and balance in the home.
'IRISH ROVERS YULE TREE' © Hamish Burgess 2011
That tradition appears in Hamish's Celtic art - the booklet cover for The Irish Rovers "Merry Merry Time of Year" Christmas CD. Very pleased to be involved with that project, as it's a great album of seasonal songs, some traditional, and many new ones from the pen of George Millar. Every image on the album, artwork or photography, is by Hamish. More details on the artwork (his 3rd album cover for the Rovers) on our Gallery page.
More on the band at www.theirishroversmusic.com, and the CD at http://theirishroversmusic.com/ecom/?category=2&product=27#contenttop
Saturday December 21st - traditional music band Celtic Waves played a Celtic Solstice Concert at KHPRs Atherton Theatre (738 Kaheka, Honolulu) at 7:30 pm.
"Bring some Celtic flavor to your holiday season with Celtic Waves 5th Winter Solstice Concert. Long before the Christian religious holiday of Christmas, and VERY long before the commercial blitz of America's vacation season, the Celts celebrated the Winter Solstice. The longest night and the shortest day of the year was a time of renewal of spirit and faith, even in the face of cold and darkness. It was during this quiet and tenuous time with the fertile ground lying dormant waiting for spring that the Irish fortified themselves with lively tunes, dance and song. This sharing of food, music, and closeness with family and friends was the Celtic precursor to Christmas.
While we often think of Irish music as “pub music,” that is a recent phenomenon. Irish tunes were originally created and played in peoples’ kitchens, living rooms and barns. The beautiful Atherton is a wonderfully intimate setting in which to hear this music the way it was intended, up close and personal with family and friends".
Monday December 16th - there was a Full Moon Labyrinth Walk with Eve Eshner Hogan & Holiday Harp Music with Irene Ryding at The Sacred Garden (460 Kaluanui Road) in Makawao, from 6-9pm. Pupus, music and a Labyrinth walk and talk by Eve Eschner Hogan.
Sunday December 15th - Hamish hosted the Maui Celtic Solstice/Christmas Special on the Maui Celtic Show on 'Sunday Solstice' on Mana'o Radio 91.7 FM, Wailuku, Maui. Special guests in the studio were other show hosts Daniel Vicars and Joel Agnew for a staff party ! They played Seasonal Celtic music from all over the world, with historical facts and stories of the season - some not for the faint-hearted ! Thanks to show underwriters The Irish Rovers.
Saturday, Dec 14th - over on Oahu, The Friends of St.Patrick held their Annual Christmas Party at Ferguson's Irish Pub, downtown Honolulu, from 4-8pm. Membership was not required. The first drink was on them, folks brought a pot luck dish to share, and an unwrapped gift for a child, which were donated to Kaiolani Womens and Childrens Hospital. There was of course singing and mighty craic. More details from Bill Comerford at bill@ejlounge.com, or call 808-223-3997.
Friday December 13th - the Isle of Maui Pipe Band played at the Lahaina 2nd Friday Town Party at 6pm. They paraded down Front St after a blessing at the Hard Rock Cafe, and played a set at the park behind following the parade. For more information contact Pipe Major Allison Jackson by email at jacksonmaui@gmail.com, or call (808) 572-6513.
Sunday December 8th - Hamish was hosting the Maui Celtic Show on 'Sunday Solstice' on Mana'o Radio 91.7 FM, Wailuku, Maui. He played Celtic music from his recent trip in Atlantic Canada, with stories from the road traveling with show underwriters The Irish Rovers, and new and older music he collected in Cape Breton, and the rest of Nova Scotia. He even went on TV twice in the province, talking about the show and his mission to collect local music.
Sunday December 1st - Harps and Horns ! a Christmas concert played at 3pm in the Castle Theater of the at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului. Featuring Maui Harpists Ginny Morgan, Alfred Wolf, Irene Ryding, Bobbie Jo Curley and Elaine Olson with the Maui Community Band, under the direction of Lisa Owen, with soloists Bob Wills and Michele Ancheta. Narrated by Kathy Collins and Tim Wolfe. www.mauiarts.org.
Sunday December 1st - Hamish was hosting a St.Andrews Day Special on the Maui Celtic Show on 'Sunday Solstice' on Mana'o Radio 91.7 FM, Wailuku, Maui. He was playing Scottish Celtic music with stories and tradiotions of Scotland?s patron saint. The entire show was dedicated to the victims of the Clutha Pub Disaster in Glasgow, Scotland, on Friday 29th November, when a police helicopter crashed through the roof of the music pub, where a concert was taking place, killing the 3 person crew and 5 others, and injuring many more.
Saturday November 30th - HAPPY ST.ANDREW'S DAY to all our Scottish friends ! Saint Andrew is the Patron Saint of Scotland, and St. Andrew's Day is celebrated by Scots all over the world on November 30th. Originally called Andermass, a religious day to remember the first Apostle, it is now a day dedicated to celebrating Scottish traditions and culture. St Andrew's Day festivities in Scotland and abroad often feature Scottish traditional food, music, songs, poetry and dance. It tends to be more popular with Scots who live abroad and there are many St. Andrew's Societies in places where Scots emigrated to. These days, with 28 million people of Scottish heritage around the world, glasses will be raised to toast Scotland and St Andrew on every continent. The St. Andrew's Society in Boston, in the USA, was set up in 1657. There is a "St.Andrew's Society of Hawai'i" in Honolulu - please visit The Saint Andrew Society of Hawaii.
Legend has it that the cross St. Andrew was crucified on was diagonal, and is said to be the basis for the Cross of St. Andrew which appears on the Scottish Flag, the Saltire. The flag is said to have originated from a dream of the Pictish
King Angus, in A.D.761, the night before a battle with a British tribe.
St.Andrew appeared to him, bearing his silver diagonal cross, showing
against a blue sky, and promised that he would survive and be victorious in battle. King Angus vowed that if this came true he would adopt Saint Andrew as the patron saint of Alba.
The story has it that when the two armies met the next day, that a white cloud shaped like a diagonal cross, or a saltire, formed against the blue sky. This encouraged the Picts to triumph on the battlefield, killing Athelstan and routing the Angle army. The Saltire was adopted as the emblem of Scotland and Saint Andrew became the national Saint. More on St.Andrew on our SCOTLAND page.
Over on Oahu Saint Andrew's Day was marked by The Saint Andrew Society of Hawaii holding the annual Kirkin’ of the Tartans at St. Andrews Cathedral in Honolulu. Folks brought tartans and wore their kilts to be blessed. A complimentary dinner was held in the Von Holt Room afterwards. Contact for information: Brenda Reichel, President of the SASH, cell 808-285-2731.
The Caledonian Society of Hawaii honoured Scotlands patron saint with a St.Andrew?s Luncheon at the Oahu Country Club. Society member Jim Redmond talked about St.Andrew and his Scottish connections. The main speaker was Colleen Patton, the societys 2013 SERG scholarship recipient, who graduated in linguistics at UH Manoa, and this summer visited Sabhal Mor Ostaig, the Gaelic College on the Isle of Skye.
Sunday November 24th - The Friends of St.Patrick held an Irish Movie Night at 6:00pm in the Celtic Room at O'Toole's Pub, Downtown Honolulu. Featuring Mrs. Brown's Boys. They showed you a number of You Tube spots of Mrs Brown, a BBC Comedy about an Irishwoman's family in Britain. Off color, British and Irish humour at its best. More details from Bill Comerford at bill@ejlounge.com, or call 808-223-3997.
Sunday November 24th - Hamish was hosting the Maui Celtic Show on 'Sunday Solstice' on Mana'o Radio 91.7 FM, Wailuku, Maui. He was playing Newfoundland Celtic music from his recent trip in Atlantic Canada, with stories from the road traveling with show underwriters The Irish Rovers, and new and older music he collected in Newfoundland. He even went on TV twice in the province, talking about the show and his mission to collect local music.
Wednesday November 20th - over on Oahu The Friends of St.Patrick held a Scotch Whiskey Tasting in the Celtic Room at O'Toole's Pub, Downtown Honolulu. Master of Whiskey Rick Edwards returned to present a fine selection of Scotch Whiskeys, and of course they had something Irish as well ! More details from Bill Comerford at bill@ejlounge.com, or call 808-223-3997.
Sunday November 17th - Hamish had specail guest George Millar of The Irish Rovers in the studio for the Maui Celtic Show on 'Sunday Solstice' on Mana'o Radio 91.7 FM, Wailuku, Maui. They played Celtic music from around the world, some influences of George in his young days, and solo work from members of The Irish Rovers band.
Saturday, Nov 16th - over on Oahu The Friends of St.Patrick held a Genealogy/Irish Culture Meeting in the Celtic Room at O'Toole's Pub, Downtown Honolulu. More details from Bill Comerford at bill@ejlounge.com, or call 808-223-3997.
Sunday November 10th - Hamish had a Celtic Colours International Festival Special on the Maui Celtic Show on 'Sunday Solstice' on Mana'o Radio 91.7 FM, Wailuku, Maui. He played Celtic music from his recent trip to Cape Breton in Nova Scotia, with stories from the festival, and new and older music he collected from the artists there.
Friday, November 8th - on Oahu The Caledonian Society of Hawaii held a special event A Conversation with Arlene in the Ocean Terrace Room at Hokua (1288 Ala Moana Blvd), Honolulu. Arlene Holmes Henderson from Glasgow, the 2013-14 Fulbright Scottish Studies Scholar, was in Hawaii conducting research supported by the US-UK Fulbright Commission, on how the Hawaiian language is being revitalized, with her findings hopefully helping efforts to perpetuate and promote Gaelic language in Scotland.
Sunday November 3rd - Hamish was back hosting the Maui Celtic Show on 'Sunday Solstice' on Mana'o Radio 91.7 FM, Wailuku, Maui. He played Celtic music from his recent trip in Atlantic Canada, with stories from the road traveling with show underwriters The Irish Rovers, and new and older music he collected in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. He even went on TV twice in each province, talking about the show and his mission to collect local music.
Thursday October 31st - SAMHAIN GREETINGS TO ALL !
The ancient Celtic
New Year starts on the evening of October 31st, SAMHAIN (pronounced 'sha-ven' or 'sow-en'
depending where you were), the Celtic Feast of the Dead, or the feast to the dying
sun, marking the beginning of Winter. In today's world it is called HALLOWEEN. The Christian church called the festival 'The Feast of all Saints', on 'All Saints' Eve'
or 'All Hallows' Eve', hence the term "Hallowe'en".
The goddess Bride or Brigit, ended her ruling season, and her straw crosses were put
up to proect family and livestock. In Scotland, Cailleach Bheur, goddess of winter,
began her reign.
'SAMHAIN' © Hamish Burgess 2010
More details on the artwork above on our Gallery page.
Wednesday, Oct 30th - on Oahu The Caledonian Society of Hawaii held a special event Heritage Language Education: What Can Scotland Learn from Hawaii? in the Hamilton Library. Arlene Holmes Henderson from Glasgow, the 2013-14 Fulbright Scottish Studies Scholar, was in Hawaii conducting research supported by the US-UK Fulbright Commission, on how the Hawaiian language is being revitalized, with her findings hopefully helping efforts to perpetuate and promote Gaelic language in Scotland.
Sunday October 6th, 13th, 20th & 27th - Daniel was hosting the Maui Celtic Show on 'Sunday Solstice' on Mana'o Radio 91.7 FM, Wailuku, Maui. He was playing Celtic music from all over the Celtic world, while Hamish was away in the Canadian Maritimes. Hamish was traveling with show underwriters The Irish Rovers, in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, collecting new music from local bands for the show.
Saturday, Oct 19th - on Oahu The Friends of St.Patrick held their Pumpkin Carving and Costume Contest for the Keiki in the Celtic Room at O'Toole's Pub, Downtown Honolulu. More details from Bill Comerford at bill@ejlounge.com, or call 808-223-3997.
Saturday, Oct 19th - on Oahu The Caledonian Society of Hawaii held a Genealogy Program at Manoa Public Library. Member Donald Reynolds shared what he has discovered on how to use Ancestry.com and other research tools to investigate your family history.
September 21st - October 8th 2013 - our Maui Celtic duo Hamish & Jennifer were in Newfoundland in Atlantic Canada, on tour with The Irish Rovers for the start of their Farewell to Rovin world tour. The iconic band underwrite Hamish's popular non-profit Maui Celtic Radio Show, and invited him to Altlantic Canada to collect local Celtic music for his programme.
After that leg of the concerts finished, our travelers were as close as they were likely to get to the Viking settlement at L'Anse aux Meadows, high on Hamish's lifetime list of historical places to see. There is no easy way to get to this desolate but beautiful spot on the tip of the Northern Peninsula, with either a provincial flight to St.Anthony Airport (71km away, although the town of St.Anthony is only 40km away), or a 5 to 6 hour (434 km) drive from Deer Lake along the Viking Trail (Route 430).
They took some time to see Western Newfoundland, driving through the beautiful Gros Morne National Park, with an overnight stop in Rocky Harbour, and an unusually high wind kicking up some impressive surf in Bonne Bay.
The next day, after a hike to the shores of Western Brook Pond, a glacial-formed fjord, we took the road north along the coast, past shipwrecks, rock arches, small bays and fishing villages on the Gulf of St.Lawrence.
We arrived near dusk at the Valhalla Lodge (www.valhalla-lodge.com) in Gunner's Cove, to find a welcoming log fire blazing, and tea and scones laid on by our host Bella Hodge, herself a resource of local knowledge, with a fine library of Viking-related books and videos to see. We arrived just in time to see the spectacular view of the ocean inlet from her hilltop guest house, and a short climb up the hill across the road gave us an amazing sunset view over the peninsula.
Sunrise from the Valhalla Lodge, Gunner's Cove
The next morning Hamish's excitement built, as it was time to reach the end of his road of exploration, nothing compared to the Norsemen who had arrived here on their epic journey over a thousand years before, at a spot now called L'Anse aux Meadows, a place they may have thought of as the entrance to Vinland. L'Anse aux Meadows became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978 – the first cultural property in the world to be so designated. The name probably comes from an 1862 French chart showing Anseàla Médée (Medee's Cove), likely from the Greek heroine Medea, after whom many 17-18th century ships or ports were named. Another version is from L'Anse-aux-Méduses, or Jellyfish Cove. The location was called Lancey Meadows in the early 1900s.
We had arrived two days after the season ended, and although the L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site was closed for the season, site supervisor Kimberlee Trainor had graciously opened the facility for us, and even provided Viking-attired guides of the site.
L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site, Newfoundland
The ruins, played on by local children for years, and thought by locals to be an “old Indian camp”, were re-discovered in 1960 by Helge and Anne Stine Ingstad, and found to be the oldest known European settlement in the New World. Over a thousand years ago, Leif Erikson (Leifr Eiríksson) and his crew of 60-90 people, Icelanders who had settled in Greenland, built a Norse exploration base camp here, on the shore of Epaves Bay at the northern entrance to the Strait of Belle Isle. They must have explored south to the St. Lawrence River and New Brunswick, as butternuts were found on the site, which have never grown in Newfoundland, New Brunswick being the northern limit for the nuts and also wild grapes. This could have been the origin of naming the new land Vinland, a region to which L'Anse aux Meadows may have been the entrance. They would have explored during the summers, mainly in search of hard-wood lumber, and lived back at this base camp in the winter, celebrating Yule and recounting tales of their exploits in the warm long-houses, with their open fireplaces and roof-chimneys.
Reconstructed Norse longhouse, L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site
Native peoples used the site as long as 6000 years ago, with campgrounds and tools of five or six groups present here. The Dorset Eskimo and ancestors of the Innu and Beothuk people were here before the Norse. The Norse called the natives 'skraelings', and some historians think that clashes with them halted exploration into Vinland and finally made the explorers return home to Greenland, abandoning their settlement after a couple of decades or so. The Vinland Sagas were written down in the late 1200s.
Norwegian explorer and writer Helge Ingstad was looking for Norse evidence from New England northwards, and at L'Anse aux Meadows local fisherman George Decker took him to see overgrown mounds that proved to be the remains of buildings. For eight years, Helge and his archaeologist wife Anne Stine, excavated the site with an international team from Norway, Iceland, Sweden, and the US, with work continued by Parks Canada. They uncovered foundations of eight Norse buildings, like those used in Iceland and Greenland around 1000AD, with walls and roofs that would have been made of sod, supported by a wooden frame, and lined inside with planks.
Original Norse building foundations from c.1000AD, and reconstruction beyond
Artifacts identifying the ruins as Norse, included a bronze cloak pin, a stone oil lamp or door pivot, a spindle whorl, a sharpening whetstone, and part of a bone needle for knitting. Remains of smelting and iron-working were found on site with many iron boat nails.
The Norse site included three dwellings with workshops for carpenters and smiths, with a forge on the other side of the stream. There is evidence of ship repair, with discarded wood trimmings, a probable floorboard from a small Norse boat, and iron rivets or nails.
We first watched a 15 minute film at the Visitor Centre, on the Vikings travels, their arrival here, and likely encounters with the indigenous people. We saw maps and parts of Norse sagas, fine scale models of the Norse settlement and ships, and listened to translated Vinland Sagas, before seeing the actual items that identified the site's origin. Then our Viking re-enactor guides Katla Egilsdottir and Anora Absent-minded (Elizabeth and Tina) gave us a site overview from the deck, showing us the cut-grass arc of the original settlement, above the now overgrown cove at the mouth of a brook, that would have once been a sloping beach by the houses to pull boats up to. Beyond we could see the reconstructed longhouse behind a high stake fence.
Norse settlement scale model, L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site
Our guides took us along the path, pointing out the shape of the iron smelting hut, across a bridge to the remains of the Norse buildings. Grass-covered foundations of halls, houses and huts, the largest being the Leader's Hall, twice the size of Leif's father (Erik Thorvaldsson or Eiríkr Þorvaldsson) Erik the Red's home in Greenland, and the size of a chieftain's hall in Iceland. It was quite a moment to stand where the first Europeans who definitely visited the New World had been 1000 years before !
No disrespect meant of course, to the possible earlier visit of the legendary Irish voyager Brendan the Navigator…..
Guides Katla Egilsdottir and Anora Absent-minded (Elizabeth and Tina)
L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site
Replica Norse anchor and replica Norse Anvil
Inside the Longhouse
Our Viking guides then took us to the reconstructed buildings nearby, in a fenced compound, where we entered the surprisingly warm and cosy fire-lit longhouse, and listened to the ladies and park guide Mike Sexton tell stories from Norse Sagas and mythology. With replica helmets, shields, weapons and cloaks available, I had to don the gear and feel the weight of it all, and of course have a few photographs taken. Then it was back to the visitor centre shop, to disrupt the season-closing stock-check, and buy a few reference books.
A great visit to the site of a truly remarkable, and often overlooked, chapter of North American history.
Thanks to Kimberlee Trainor, Tina Vanderwielen, Elizabeth Ross, Mike Sexton and Dale Wells at Parks Canada for their help and hospitality at L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site. Opening hours: 9am to 5pm, 1-9 June and 28 September to 5 October, and 9am to 6pm, 10 June to 27 September. Telephone 709-623-2608 / off-season 709-458-2417, email viking.lam@pc.gc.ca. Website www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/nl/meadows.
We headed across the road to Norstead, a reconstruction of a Norse Village and Port of Trade, which may resemble how the settlement might have become, had the early Europeans stayed in Newfoundland. The non-profit facility was also closed for the season, but Mike Sexton found Denecka Burden, who also graciously opened the buildings and showed us around.
The first building was a massive turf roofed boat-shed built to house the replica full-scale Viking ship or knarr “Snorri”, named after the first known Eurpean child born in the New World.
Replica full-size Viking ship or knarr “Snorri”, at Norstead, L'Anse aux Meadows
It is an imposing sight indeed when the heavy wooden doors swing open. An open decked boat 54 feet long, 16 feet wide and 6 feet deep, it is constructed of oak, pine, tamarack and locust woods, with iron rivets. In July 1997, in the first authentic Viking ship to have completed the trip in 600 years, equipped with only a square canvas and oars, twelve men set out to recreate Leif Ericsson's 1500 mile journey from Greenland to Newfoundland. The first trip failed when the rudder broke, but their second attempt arrived safely in L'Anse aux Meadows the next year on September 22nd 1998. The original Norsemen may not have built boat-sheds, but for preservation of the historic replica, one was built here.
Norstead - a recontructed Norse Village and Port of Trade at L'Anse aux Meadows
We visited the other buildings of the village, which in the summer months are peopled by costumed interpreters telling Viking tales in the Chieftain?s Hall, or demonstrating forging iron, ancient navigation methods, shaping clay pottery, or spinning fleece into yarn and weaving cloth. You can even have your fortune told by a Rune Teller.
There is a turf-roofed church, controversial amongst some Viking enthusiasts, who have confronted staff with the fact that the ancient people were pagans, with their own gods and goddesses. The later fact is that many Vikings did convert to Christianity, and this is a replica of an early Norse church.
Recontructed Norse church at Norstead, L'Anse aux Meadows
They have pigs, sheep, and chickens in the summertime, with a few visiting cats. On opening one door, a sizeable falcon flew out at great speed past our heads, leaving behind it?s last dinner – another bird of equal or bigger size, judging by the left-over legs !
The Mid Summer Viking Festival takes place in mid-July, and visitors can learn about Viking life while enjoying fireworks, concerts, a bonfire, tours, sword fighting demonstration, competitions, plays and more.
Viking Rune Stone at Norstead
On July 28th 2000, a fleet of Viking ships and their crews were greeted by costumed re-enactors and thousands of visitors in a ceremony marking the 1000th anniversary of Leif Ericson's journey to Vinland.
Thanks to Kara Snow and Denecka Burden at Norstead for their help and hospitality. Opening hours: 9am to 6pm June to September. Telephone 709-623-2828 or 1-877-620-2828, email info@norstead.com. Website www.norstead.com
Although this was about the Vikings, Hamish normally promotes Celtic culture as a volunteer presenter of his globally popular weekly Celtic music program, The Maui Celtic Radio Show, on non-profit Mana'o Radio in Maui, broadcast 8-10am on Sunday mornings locally and worldwide on the internet (www.manaoradio.com).
Sunday September 22nd & 29th - Daniel was hosting the Maui Celtic Show on 'Sunday Solstice' on Mana'o Radio 91.7 FM, Wailuku, Maui. He was playing Celtic music from all over the Celtic world, while Hamish is away in the Canadian Maritimes. He will be traveling with show underwriters The Irish Rovers, in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, collecting new music from local bands for the show.
Sunday, Sept 22nd - over on Oahu, The Caledonian Society of Hawaii held A New Member meet and greet party, at the Hokua Condominium Ocean Terrace (1288 Ala Moana Blvd), from 3:00 to 6:00 pm. All of the membership was encouraged to come out and meet new members to let them know what the Society is all about. Reservations were required - call Jeannie Ferrier at 593-0966 or email her at jeferrier@msn.com
Saturday, Sept 21st - on Oahu The Friends of St.Patrick held their Annual irish Whiskey Tasting fundraiser at 7pm in the Celtic Room at O'Toole's Pub, Downtown Honolulu. Folks could try 6 different Irish whiskeys for $30 - and $25.00 for society members. Duane Au, the local Jamesons Brand Manager, presented 3 very fine standards of the Irish Whiskey scene - Powers, Paddy's and Jamesons - followed by 3 exceptional Irish Whiskeys from their line of Irish - Red Breast, Power's John Lane and Midleton. They also had two other fine whiskeys there as well as some pupus. More details from Bill Comerford at bill@ejlounge.com, or call 808-223-3997.
Sunday September 8th & 15th - Hamish was presenting the Maui Celtic Show on 'Sunday Solstice' on Mana'o Radio 91.7 FM, Wailuku, Maui. He played all new Celtic music that he has aquired over the last month or two, from all over the Celtic world ! Special guest in the studio was Joel Agnew.
Saturday, Sept 14th - on Oahu The Friends of St.Patrick held their Monthly Membership Meeting 3.30-5pm, and their Halfway to St.Patrick's Day bash at O'Toole's Pub, Downtown Honolulu. 5pm Guinness taster beer flights with Guinness, Harp, Smithwicks, and Kilkenny. Afterwards there was a Guinness Toasting. Folks were ready with their "Toasts" to Guinness at 7.30pm, and got a free glass of the black stuff when they presented a "Toast". This is the first of 6 "Toasts" until March of 2013. More details from Bill Comerford at bill@ejlounge.com, or call 808-223-3997.
Sunday September 1st - Hamish was hosting the Maui Celtic Show on 'Sunday Solstice' on Mana'o Radio 91.7 FM, Wailuku, Maui. He was playing new Celtic music gathered on his recent trip to Canada while he was off traveling with show underwriters The Irish Rovers. The second half featured an interview with Bob Hallett of Newfoundland band Great Big Sea, who have topped the Canadian charts with their folk rock and original songs from Atlantic Canada.
Hamish with Alan Doyle & Bob Hallett of Great Big Sea at the PNE, Vancouver BC
Sunday, September 1st - on Oahu The Saint Andrew Society of Hawaii held the 7th Annual Blue Shamrock Kilted Classic Golf Tournament at the Pearl Country Club.
After Registrationand breakfast, there was a Putting Contest before the Tee Times began at 11:25am. A Silent Auction ran all day, and the dinner, raffle and awards were at 6:00 pm. Tournament Format: Maximum 72 players (first come, first serve). Peoria System Rules of Play. Kilts or plaid were preferred!! (Some loaner kilts were available on first come, first serve basis).
Golfers at the Blue Shamrock Kilted Classic Golf Tournament
The Tournament package included: Green fee, golf cart, gift bag, tournament shirt,continental breakfast, box lunch, dinner buffet, chance at four hole-in-one prizes (including Grand Prize), entry into the four Closest-to-the-Pin contests, entry into the Long Drive contest, entry into putting contest. There were great prizes and awards!
Four Hole-in-One prizes (including the Grand Prize: A one week trip for two golfers/two guests to Scotland with golf at St Andrews!). Putting Contest (for chance to win $5,000.00). Four Closest-to-the-Pin Prizes. Longest Drive Prize. Raffle Prizes. Best Kilted Golfer Award. Everyone wins a Prize!
Contacts for information: Brenda Reichel, President of the SASH, cell 808-285-2731, email saintandrewsociety@hawaii.rr.com. Golf Tournament Chairman, Kelly Griffith call 808-372-1941. Tournament Facebook Event: “Blue Shamrock Kilted Classic Golf Tournament.”
Thursday August 29th - on Oahu The Saint Andrew Society of Hawaii sponsored an event on the Scottish Gemstone by The Hawaii Chapter of the Gemological Institute of America, at the Honolulu Museum of Art School (1111 Victoria Street, Honolulu). Starting with bagpiping by Pipe Sgt. Tina Yap of the Celtic Pipes & Drums of Hawaii at 5:30 PM, followed by Brian Jackson, Chairman of the Scottish Gemmological Society, giving a presentation on Scottish Gemstone from 6:15 PM to 9:00 PM. Scottish Gemstones: the talk took a chronological look at gem material discovered in Scotland including artifacts set with gems. It dealt with items of antiquity, more recent and present day finds and their geological occurrence, and consider what the future may hold in store. Light refreshments were served by several young ladies, Miss Joleen Iwaniec, Miss East Oahu 2013, Miss Rachel Kawakami, Miss East Oahu's Outstanding Teen 2013. Both young ladies were accompanied by their parents, Liz Iwaniec and Julie Kawakami.
Contact information for RSVP: Brenda Reichel, President of the The Saint Andrew Society of Hawaii, cell 808-285-2731. Brenda is also GIAAA Hawaii Chapter President.
Sunday August 25th - Hamish was back hosting the Maui Celtic Show on 'Sunday Solstice' on Mana'o Radio 91.7 FM, Wailuku, Maui. He played new Celtic music gathered on his recent trip to Canada while he was off traveling with show underwriters The Irish Rovers. He featured the bands from the Celtic Fair at Fort William Historic Park in Thunder Bay, the Pierre Schryer Band, Celtica, and headliners The Irish Rovers.
The Irish Rovers at the Celtic Fair, Fort William Historic Park, Thunder Bay, Ontario
Saturday, August 17th - IN MEMORIAM - over on Oahu, The Caledonian Society of Hawaii members were invited to a Celebration of life for Alice Herring, who passed away on July 26th (more below). The service was at The Cathedral of St. Andrew (229 Queen Emma Square, Honolulu) at 4:00 pm. Her husband Walter said, "Just follow the piper!". Alice was the weaver who inspired the Hawaii tartan that was designed by her son Douglas. She was a Scottish country dancer and a bellringer for the Cathedral.
She will be greatly missed. A celebration followed in Davies Hall with folks wearing Aloha or bright casual attire. Donations were accepted to the St. Andrew's Cathedral Ringing Society or the Episcopal Relief & Development Fund at the Cathedral. Much Aloha to the Herring family.
Thursday, August 15th - on Oahu, the Hawaii State Library presented "Queen Victoria's Life and Loves" at 6:00 pm in the First Floor Reading Room. The speaker was Dr. Rebecca Knuth of UH Manoa Library and Information Science Program. "Queen Victoria loved three men: Prince Albert and servants John Brown and Abdul Khalid. Her infatuations were played out against the background of Kensington Palace, Windsor, Osbourne House, and Balmoral, Scotland.
Have you ever wondered if the Scottish movie “Mrs. Brown” was factual?
Dr. Rebecca Knuth examined the effect of the Queen's obsessive mourning for Albert and investigate why the Royal Household detested the two servants, why Edward VII burned and effaced evidence of his mother's infatuations with servants, and why Princess Beatrice (the Queen's youngest daughter) destroyed the Queen's diaries."
This program was sponsored by the Hawaii Center for the Book and was suitable for ages 12 and older. For more information, call 808-586-3499.
August 4th, 11th & 18th - Daniel and Joel were hosting the Maui Celtic Show on 'Sunday Solstice' on Mana'o Radio 91.7 FM, Wailuku, Maui. They played 2 hours of new and old Celtic music from all over the Celtic world ! The lads were sitting in for Hamish while he was off traveling with show underwriters The Irish Rovers.
Hamish, Daniel and Joel in the Mana'o Radio studios
Saturday, August 3rd - over on Oahu, The Saint Andrew Society of Hawaii and The Friends of St.Patrick held their annual SASH/FOSP Makani Catamaran Sunset Celtic Cruise at 5:00PM leaving from Kewalo Basin Boat Harbor Slip #1 (Ala Moana & Ward). The 2 hour sunset sail from 5:30-7:30, with heavy pupus & drinks had over 60 guests. More info on the yearly waterbound craic available from Nancy Smiley (808) 371-0819.
Thursday, August 1st - LUGHNASADH GREETINGS TO ALL ! Lughnasadh, the ancient Harvest festival (Lúnasa in modern Irish), started on the eve before August 1st, the beginning of Autumn or Fall. Named after the god Lugh, "The Bright or Shining One", a Celtic Sun God, and God of the Harvest, who also presides over the arts and sciences, as he was called Lugh the Il-Dana, "Master of All Crafts". Lughnasadh continued through the harvest time, not necessarily just one night, as crops were harvested in August, fruit in September, and meat in October.
“LUGHNASADH” © Hamish Burgess 2011
More details about Lughnasadh are with the original artwork above on our Gallery page.
Friday July 26th - there was a sad loss to the Scottish community in Hawaii, as Alice Herring passed away at home surrounded by friends and family. She was a weaver of the original Hawai'i Tartan on her home loom, and mother of the tartan's designer Douglas Herring. She passed peacefully with the sound of her loom in the background, as her granddaughter began to finish her current weaving project. She was a Scottish country dancer and a bellringer for St.Andrew's Cathedral in Honolulu.
A spectacular lady, always so cheery, and regularly seen at local Scottish events, Alice will be greatly missed. Much aloha from Maui Celtic to the Herring family - Walt, Doug, Elizabeth and Janna. Aloha 'Oe Alice....
Hamish Burgess, Alice Herring and Pipe Sgt.Tina Yap
on Tartan Day 2009 at the Hawaii State Capitol
Sunday July 21st, 28th - Daniel and Joel were hosting the Maui Celtic Show on 'Sunday Solstice' on Mana'o Radio 91.7 FM, Wailuku, Maui. They played 2 hours of new and old Celtic music from all over the Celtic world ! The lads were sitting in for Hamish while he was off traveling with show underwriters The Irish Rovers.
July 17th - 23rd - our Maui Celtic duo Hamish & Jennifer were in Ontario, Canada - they were hanging out on 'The Drunken Sailor' Tour with legendary Irish (and now Canadian) folk band The Irish Rovers. Tuesday 17th they arrived in the lakeside town of Thunder Bay to meet the lads before rehearsals the next day. The town lived up to its name with an all-night thunder and lightning storm, the night before an open air concert ! Fortunately it cleared up for Friday 17th when it was off to Fort William Historic Park for the annual Celtic Fair opening concert. Hamish had a chance during soundchecks to interview the opening band for The Maui Celtic Radio Show.
Pierre Schryer, Martin Nolan and Andy Hillhouse at the Celtic Fair, Thunder Bay
Starting the evening was local fiddler Pierre Schryer and his band, tonight featuring uilleann piper Martin Nolan from Dublin, the guitar and vocals of Andy Hillhouse, and the amazing dancing of Ottawa Valley step-dancer Sarah Robinson. The instrumental trio ripped out jigs and reels and slow airs, some Irish, some Canadian, the faster ones accompanied by the percussion of the flying hard shoes of Sarah with her traditional Canadian stepdancing. Andy sung a couple of fine rootsy folk numbers. Pierre - www.canadiancelticcelebration.com. Martin - www.martinnolan.com. Andy - www.myspace.com/andyhillhousemusic. Sarah - www.sarahstepdance.com
Fiddler Pierre Schryer and piper Martin Nolan - Ottawa Valley step-dancer Sarah Robinson
Next up were bagpipe rockers Celtica, who Hamish had interviewed the day before at the hotel, when he spoke to Austrian founder electric guitarist Gajus Stappen, and Scottish piper Duncan Knight from Edinburgh. With electric guitarist American Harry Weinkum, percussionist and fire dancer Josie Svajda and drummer Lukas Rausch, both Austrian, and piper Jane Espie from Scotland, the band has a truly international line up. www.celticarocks.com
Celtica at the Celtic Fair, Fort William Historic Park, Thunder Bay
Rainbow over the River Kaministiquia, Fort William Historic Park, Thunder Bay
Some ominous clouds gathered over the natural ampitheatre down by the River Kam, but the rain held off, only to produce a spectacular double rainbow over the river.
The band rocked the sunset crowd with hard-hitting bagpipe tunes with massive percussion, their original compositions, not to mention twirling fire-balls, movie themes on the pipes, and even fire-breathing guitars !!
Celtica at the Celtic Fair, Fort William Historic Park, Thunder Bay
Headliners of the evening were the iconic band The Irish Rovers, no strangers to Thunder Bay over the years. The crowd had a great view of the stage by the riverside, at the bottom of the sloping grassy field, which had remarkably not remained waterlogged after the torrential rains of the previuos night ! Huge monitor screens allowed for closer viewing of the lads in action. The boys belted out traditional songs, as well as band founder and songwriter George Millar's originals. Not to mention some great instrumentals from some of the band's champion players of Irish traditional music.
The Irish Rovers at the Celtic Fair, Fort William Historic Park, Thunder Bay, Ontario
All photos © Hamish Burgess 2013
Singer George Millar and drummer Fred Graham
The ominous dark clouds held off in the distance, to make for a clear moonlit night for the large crowd to enjoy rollicking Irish songs, ballads and sea-shanties. After the show the band had a huge line-up for autograph signing of CDs and photos newly bought at the merchandise booth, and even some classic old vinyl LPs. The craic was indeed mighty that night in Thunder Bay !
The Irish Rovers at the Celtic Fair, Fort William Historic Park, Thunder Bay, Ontario
More on the band and their tour dates at www.theirishroversmusic.com
The next morning our Maui Celtic couple went to check out the actual Celtic Fair, running for the next two days in Thunder Bay. When Europeans arrived here in the 17th century, the local Indians called the place 'Animikie', which means 'Thunder'. French fur traders called the area Baie de Tonnaire, or Thunder Bay.
They walked through the wooded Fort William Historic Park on nature trails, past reconstructed Ojibway tribal camps down to the replica of Fort William, on the bank of the Kaministiquia River. A fur trading post as early as 1678, run by the French, the fort was taken over by the Northwest Company in 1803.
Maui Celtic checking out a tribal camp at Fort William Historical Park
The reconstructed Fort William depicts the fort and fur trading post as it would have appeared in 1815 when it was at its height. A bustling community of traders, voyageurs and Indians, all employed in the lucrative fur trade.
By the dock with it's trading and transport canoes, our duo had a chance to fire flintlock muskets contemporary to the era, under the guidance of local re-enactors.
Jennifer of Maui Celtic at Fort William Historical Park
Inside the fort compound were historical buildings surrounding the main square, peopled by actors in period clothing including Scottish Highland attire. There was a main dining building with a good bagpiper outside named McGillivray, the period pub Mad Mac's Tavern, and outlying buildings housing traders bunk dorms, kitchens, and canoe builders, blacksmiths, gunsmiths, woodworkers and coopers workshops.
The canoe house at Fort William Historical Park
Actors at Fort William Historical Park
Piper McGillivray at the Celtic Fair, and Celtic flags in Mad Mac's Tavern
Playing onstage to kick the Celtic Fair off were local Thunder Bay band Flipper Flanagan, who apparently opened for the Irish Rovers in town about 30 years ago. Hamish had a chat with the gents and picke dup their music for The Maui Celtic Radio Show. As their set of original compositions and traditional Irish songs continued, the Highland Games started nearby with visitors and locals tossing the caber. The local pipe band also started to muster for their performance. Other bands on the main stage over the weekend included The Bay Street Boys, The Knackers, and MacInnis' Kitchen.
Flipper Flanagan at the Celtic Fair in Fort William Historic Park, Thunder Bay
There were Birds of Prey exhibitions by the Canadian Raptor Conservancy, with fine looking owls, eagles and hawks. You could also visit actors in the nearby workshops, going about the business of a fur trading post. The North West Company formed in 1784, a coalition of traders based in Montreal, and a new rival to the long established Hudson's Bay Company, with whom they eventually merged.
A young eagle with the Canadian Raptor Conservancy
A highlight of Hamish's day were the Knights of Valour with their displays of jousting. The troop of knights ride heavy horses and wear full plate armour. After introductions trom the Master of Ceremonies, the knights warmed up with games of skill using their lances, and jousting at a tilt, before riding at a helmeted squire, swinging a sword and chopping a watermelon from the victim's helmet as close to the bottom as possible. Then came the main event, with the knights charging and trying to unhorse eachother. With a combined speed of horses running at 60km/hour, and lances made of Douglas Fir, a direct hit would certianly be a hard one !
The Knights of Valour at the Celtic Fair in Thunder Bay
Thanks to the management and staff of the Celtic Fair and Fort William Historic Park for their hospitality and access to this fun event.
Then it was farewell to Thunder Bay and the Celtic Fair, with a mad dash back to the hotel for a shuttle to the airport and off to Toronto with The Irish Rovers.
The next day's concert was a sell-out at Meaford Hall in Meaford, Ontario on the shore of Nottawasaga Bay on Lake Huron. A great crowd loved the set of ripping instrumentals, and rollicking Irish songs, with a big finale of 'The Drunken Sailor'.
The Irish Rovers at Meaford Hall, Ontario
The next day it was off with the lads to another sell-out concert in Newmarket, Ontario north of Toronto. Hamish was stoked to see his artwork onstage with the musicians of The Irish Rovers, with singer Ian Millar sporting a green Maui Celtic T-shirt, and the 'Unicorn and Mandolin' logo he drew for the band on drummer Fred Graham's bass drum head.
Ian Millar sporting Maui Celtic , and Hamish's art on Fred Graham's drum head.
Our Maui Celtic artist Hamish was also surprised to see a massive version of the band's logo that he drew, projected behind the group, thanks to sound engineer and booking manager Bill Girdwood. The art later changed to a banner from the 'Drunken Sailor' album.
The Celtic Art of Hamish Burgess onstage with The Irish Rovers in Newmarket, Ontario
A grand time was had by Maui Celtic with The Irish Rovers during summertime in Ontario, Canada. More on the band and their tour dates at www.theirishroversmusic.com
Saturday July 20th - over on Oahu The Friends of St.Patrick held their Irish Travel Meeting in the Celtic Room at O'Toole's Pub, Downtown Honolulu. More details from Bill Comerford at bill@ejlounge.com, or call 808-223-3997.
Sunday July 14th - Hamish was hosting the Maui Celtic Show on 'Sunday Solstice' on Mana'o Radio 91.7 FM, Wailuku, Maui......with gusets Daniel Vicars and Joel Agnew. He played 2 hours of new Celtic music from all over the Celtic world, and had a wee section of Breton and French Canadian Celtic music to celebrate Bastille Day !
Sunday July 7th - Hamish had a 4th July Weekend Special on the Maui Celtic Show on 'Sunday Solstice' on Mana'o Radio 91.7 FM, Wailuku, Maui. On his fifth 4th July as an American citizen himself, with guest Joel Agnew in the studio, he played Celtic music about America, emigration to the Americas, and by American Celtic bands. He also had a special feature on two groups who had a huge influence bringing Irish music to America, the first being The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem, and he played some historic interview from the late great Liam Clancy, about their legendary 16 minute appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in front of 80 million TV viewers, that shot them to overnight stardom. The second being The Irish Rovers, who started in Canada, but rose to fame after gaining a recording contract with Decca, a result of being noticed playing the folks clubs in California.
Thursday July 4th - The Friends of St.Patrick marched in the Kailua 4th of July Parade.
Particpants marched along N Kainalu Street in Kailua, behind the Celtic Pipes & Drums of Hawaii, who ened up on local TV that night ! Marchers handed out candy to the kids lining the street along the route. After the Parade, they gathered at Chuck Wall's house on the parade route, for a pool party and barbeque. More details from Bill Comerford at bill@ejlounge.com, or call 808-223-3997.
Sunday June 30th - Hamish was hosting the Maui Celtic Show on 'Sunday Solstice' on Mana'o Radio 91.5 FM, Wailuku, Maui. He played 2 hours of new Celtic music from all over the Celtic world !
Sunday June 30th - The Friends of St.Patrick held their monthly Irish Movie Night with "Intermission" at 6:00 pm at the Celtic Room at O'Toole's. Intermission is a Comedy/Crime/Drama from 2003 (105 min), starring Colin Farrell, Cillian Murphy, and Kelly Macdonald. A variety of losers in Dublin have harrowingly farcical intersecting stories of love, greed and violence. More details from Bill Comerford at bill@ejlounge.com, or call 808-223-3997.
Saturday June 29th - The Caledonian Society of Hawaii held their Annual General Meeting from 11 a.m. to 2p.m. in the downstairs Makai Room of the scenic Oahu Country Club, 150 Country Club Road, overlooking Honolulu from Nuuanu Valley. A delicious buffet luncheon began at 11:30a.m., followed by the business of the Society. After the meeting, folks were treated to a lively lecture/demonstration by local fiddler Lisa Gomes. She explained and demonstrate several Scottish Fiddle Styles.
Sunday June 23rd - the craic was mighty on Hamish's Birthday Party and Summer Solstice Special on the Maui Celtic Show on 'Sunday Solstice' on Mana'o Radio 91.5 FM, Wailuku, Maui. He had his stand-in hosts Joel Agnew and Daniel Vicars in the studio, as well as guest the Mad Bagpiper Roger McKinley, who rarely sees that time of day ! Jennifer Fahrni and the family called in from Vancouver BC to wish Hamish a happy birthday, and so did show underwriter George Millar of The Irish Rovers. They had a chat about the legendary Irish band's upcoming schedule, and George introduced 'Cruising Round Yarmouth' from the latest CD "Drunken Sailor'.
Sunday June 16th - Hamish had a Father's Day Special on the Maui Celtic Show on 'Sunday Solstice' on Mana'o Radio 91.5 FM, Wailuku, Maui. He played 2 hours of songs and tunes about Fathers and Grandfathers from all over the Celtic world !
Saturday June 15th - on Oahu, The Friends of St.Patrick held their Hangover Meeting in the Celtic Room at O'Toole's Pub, Downtown Honolulu. More details from Bill Comerford at bill@ejlounge.com, or call 808-223-3997.
Friday June 14th -on Oahu, The Friends of St.Patrick held their Finnegan's Wake & Bloomsday Celebration. They started at O'Tooles at 4.30pm, and after hitting Murphy's, Ferguson's, and JJ Dolan's, returned to O'Tooles. More details from Bill Comerford at bill@ejlounge.com, or call 808-223-3997. A little info on Finnegan's Wake from Wikipedia:
"Finnegan's Wake" is a ballad that arose in the 1850s in the music-hall tradition of comical Irish songs. The song is a staple of the Irish folk-music group, The Dubliners, who have played it on many occasions and included it on several albums, and is especially well-known to fans of The Clancy Brothers, who have performed and recorded it with Tommy Makem. The song has more recently been recorded by Irish-American Celtic punk band Dropkick Murphy's. In the ballad, the hod-carrier Tim Finnegan, born "with a love for the liquor", falls from a ladder, breaks his skull, and is thought to be dead. The mourners at his wake become rowdy, and spill whiskey over Finnegan's corpse, causing him to come back to life and join in the celebrations. Whiskey causes both Finnegan's fall and his resurrection—whiskey is derived from the Irish phrase uisce beatha, meaning "water of life".
June 14th - on Maui, The Celtic Art of Hamish Burgess exhibition ended, after being on display for the whole month of May, and held over until mid-June, at Hawaiian Village Coffee in the Kahana Gateway Center (4405 Honoapiilani Hwy, #207) in West Maui. Opening hours 6am-6pm !
Hamish Burgess with his Celtic art at Hawaiian Village Coffee, Kahana
Locals and visitors came to see our Hamish's Celtic art original paintings, giclees, and prints - all available for purchase. He lives around the corner, so several times popped round to the coffee shop for a chat with folks who called him about his art. You can still view the artwork on our Gallery page. There was an artist's reception Saturday May 18th from 6-8pm with a Celtic Music Session - the craic was mighty indeed !
Mahalo to David Maran, owner of Hawaiian Village Coffee, for supporting local artists.
Wednesday June 12th - over on Oahu, there was an Irish Whiskey Tasting at 7pm at O'Tooles Celtic Room (bottom of Nuuanu, Downtown Honolulu) to benefit The Friends of St.Patrick featuring Fiona Canning, the Jamesons Brand Ambassador from Ireland, presenting a fine selection of Irish Whiskeys. Fiona is knowledgable in the offerings of Pernod Ricard and will be introducing the very fine new offering of Powers John Lane just introduced to Hawaii. Catered Pupus courtesy of Kelley O'Neil's were served to the limited 35 guests at the tasting.
The Line up: Powers, Powers John Lane, Paddy's, Jamesons, Jamesons 12, Jamesons Gold Reserve. More details from Bill Comerford at bill@ejlounge.com, or call 808-223-3997.
Sunday June 9th - Hamish had a Father's Day Special on the Maui Celtic Show on 'Sunday Solstice' on Mana'o Radio 91.5 FM, Wailuku, Maui. He played 2 hours of songs and tunes about Fathers and Grandfathers from all over the Celtic world !
Sunday June 2nd - Hamish had an anniversary special on the Maui Celtic Show on 'Sunday Solstice' on Mana'o Radio 91.5 FM, Wailuku, Maui. He featured the Canadian and maritime songs of songwriter Stan Rogers, sung by the man himself and other Celtic artists. Thought by many folks to be the top Canadian folk singer and songwriter, he penned the classics "Northwest Passage", "Barratt's Privateers", and "The Mary Ellen Carter", to name but three. Rogers died in an airplane fire in 1983 at the young age of 33, and this was his 30th anniversary.
Stan Rogers (photo courtesy Fogarty's Cove Music)
More on Stan Rogers and his legacy, and CDs available at Fogarty's Cove Music at www.stanrogers.net.
In the second hour he played mainly new Celtic music from all over the Celtic world !
Sunday May 26th - Hamish hosted the Memorial Day Weekend Special on the Maui Celtic Show on 'Sunday Solstice' on Mana'o Radio 91.5 FM, Wailuku, Maui. He played 2 hours of new Celtic music from all over the Celtic world, with a few American Civil War Irish tunes, as the history of Memorial Day dates back to decoration war graves of both sides back in 1886.
Sunday May 26th - over on Oahu, The Friends of St.Patrick held their Irish Movie Night featuring "Killing Bono" at 6:00 pm in the Celtic Room at O'Toole's. "Killing Bono" is a comedy where two brothers attempt to become global rock stars, but can only look on as old school friends U2 become the biggest band in the world.
More details from Bill Comerford at bill@ejlounge.com, or call 808-223-3997.
Saturday May 25th - new Celtic band ROAN INISH, from the Big Island of Hawaii, played at Ward's Rafters in Honolulu, at 7:30 p.m.
Roan Inish is a new trio who formed in South Kona, Big Island in 2011, and play Celtic Traditional and American Folk Music. With sparkling lead vocals, searing acoustic guitar arrangements and combined harmonies of all three members. Roan Inish derives its music from ancient Celtic storytelling and traditional folk ballads, telling raw, journeys with haunting melodies of separation, betrayal, loss, and heartbreak. The celtic tunes magically uplift, spinning pure and light-filled, sounds to touch the heart. “Story singing” was always enhanced with harp, flute, fiddle, and drum, but in the 1970s traditional songs were combined with guitar and new rhythms. Pentangle, Paul Brady, Andy Irvine, Sandy Denny, and Joan Baez, are artists influencing Roan Inish.
Roan Inish members are: Ananda Triulzi on vocals, Janet Jewell on vocals and guitar, and Hans Tholken on guitar and vocals.
Joining Roan Inish for the evening was Peter Della Croce on bodhran. Pete is a local drummer with the Celtic Pipes and Drums of Hawaii, and founder ukulele player and drummer of Finn McCoul, the Celtic band formed on Maui.
Sunday May 19th - Hamish was hosting the Maui Celtic Show on 'Sunday Solstice' on Mana'o Radio 91.5 FM, Wailuku, Maui. He started the show with a celebration of the words of Scottish poet Robert Tannahill (1774–1810) for his 203rd anniversary, and played his poems and songs by various Scots singers. The prolific composer was known as the 'Weaver Poet', and was a contemporary of Robert Burns. One of his best-known songs is "Are Ye Sleeping Maggie?", and his song "The Braes of Balquhidder" was likely the basis for the famous ballad "Wild Mountain Thyme" with the similar chorus "Will Ye Go Lassie, Go." Amongst many songs, Tannahill wrote "Thou Bonnie Wood of Craigielea", the tune of which was later adapted as the music for the famous Australian bush song "Waltzing Matilda". Robert Tannahill the 'Weaver Poet'
More on Robert Tannahill at www.roberttannahillfederation.com.
Some great CDs of his songs at www.brechin-all-records.com
The second hour was new Celtic music from all over the Celtic world - Scotland, Ireland, England, Canada, America, and even Maui !
Saturday May 18th - there was a Celtic Music Session at Hawaiian Village Coffee in the Kahana Gateway Center, West Maui, at the Artist's Reception for The Celtic Art of Hamish Burgess, showing for the first time on Maui, and on display until June 14th (4405 Honoapiilani Hwy, #207 - Opening hours 6am-6pm). Our own Hamish Burgess opened the evening with some tunes on the Great Highland Bagpipes, with a ripping finale from bodhran duo of Bud & Noel to top it off !
Noel, Bud, & Hamish at the Celtic Art of Hamish Burgess artist's reception
The craic moved inside the cool coffee shop, with local musicians Bud (bodhran/whistles/guitar) & Kieran Clark (guitar/vocals), David Bryan (mandolin), and Noel Monteleone (fiddle/bodhran). Hamish welcomed everyone, gave an introduction to Celtic art, and then showed folks his Celtic art original paintings, giclees, and prints. Preview the artwork on our Gallery page.
The Celtic Art of Hamish Burgess reception in Hawaiian Village Coffee
Hamish was chatting to the interested crowd from all over Maui, and a few mainland visitors.......meanwhile the house rocked to some great jigs and reels from the session lads, joined by Bryan DeBris (guitar/spoons), and Roger McKinley (smallpipes/whistles). There was cheese and crackers, red wine, and a bottle of champagne for the guests - not to mention great coffee, sandwiches, smoothies and ice cream from David, the owner of Hawaiian Village Coffee.
Bryan, Bud (Kieran missing), Noel, Roger and David - Hawaiian Village Session Lads
A few new and old friends became new patrons and collectors of The Celtic Art of Hamish Burgess, and a good time was had by all listening to stellar Celtic music from the local musicians - mahalo lads for a great night - Slainte ! The craic was indeed mighty in Kahana that Saturday night. Mahalo to David Maran, owner of the neighbourhood Hawaiian Village Coffee shop, for supporting local artists.
Saturday May 18th - over on Oahu, there were Scottish Dancers & Pipers at the Hawaii State Library Centennial Celebration at 9:30a.m.
Saturday May 18th - on Oahu, The Friends of St.Patrick held an Irish History & Language Meeting in the Celtic Room at O'Toole's Pub, Downtown Honolulu. Bill Comerford was talking about Ireland's many rebels and rebellions. More details from Bill Comerford at bill@ejlounge.com, or call 808-223-3997.
Friday May 17th - the Isle of Maui Pipe Band were performing for Makawao's 3rd Friday event, in front of the Makawao Library starting around 6:00pm. For more information contact Pipe Major Allison Jackson by email at jacksonmaui@gmail.com, or call (808) 572-6513.
Sunday May 12th - Hamish had a Mothers Day Special on the Maui Celtic Show on 'Sunday Solstice' on Mana'o Radio 91.5 FM, Wailuku, Maui. He celebrated Mothers and Grandmothers with 2 hours of Celtic music from all over the Celtic world ! He dedicated the show to his Mum in Cornwall, Sheila Burgess, and his Grandma, Cecilia Strachan, who he misses every day (and is responsible for his passion for all things Celtic - thanks Gran !).
Sheila Burgess, and her mum Cecilia Strachan
He had a wee tribute to a special Irish lady Phillis Deegan, who passed away during the week in Vancouver, BC. She was a singer of traditional Irish songs, and a feature of the Murphy family parties that Hamish always attends at Christmas time in Vancouver.
Saturday May 11th - the Isle of Maui Pipe Band played at the annual Seabury Hall Craft Fair, for the 5th consecutive year. They opened the event at 9:00a with fanfare at the main entrance, and after marching through the vendor area performed a 30 minute set. For more information contact Pipe Major Allison Jackson by email at jacksonmaui@gmail.com, or call (808) 572-6513.
Saturday, May 11th - over on Oahu, The Caledonian Society of Hawaii held a Scottish Movie night, with "Tunes of Glory" screening at Manoa Public Library (2716 Woodlawn Drive, Honolulu). 'Tunes of Glory' is a 1960 movie about a military pipe band, set in Scotland starring Alec Guinness, John Mills, Susannah York, and Gordon Jackson. A "dark psychological drama" centering on events in a Scottish Highland regimental barracks in the period following World War II.
Saturday, May 11th - The Saint Andrew Society of Hawaii held their yearly Celtic Pub Crawl, starting at 4:30 pm in Murphy's Back Room for drinks & pupus, then, accompanied by bagpipes, there was a wee parade of kilted, and otherwise festively-dressed folks, down to JJ Dolan's on Bethel Street for drinks & pizza. The Partybus picked the gang up at JJ's at 7:00pm & drove around while folks had a few wee drams before hitting the dance floor to boogie in Waikiki. The final stop was O'Toole's on Nu'uanu Street at 10pm. The criac was mighty in Honolulu that night !
Celtic Pub Crawl with the Saint Andrews Society of Hawaii at JJ Dolan's in Honolulu
Photo courtesy of The Siant Andrews Society of Hawaii
During the evening a special moment was when an award was presented by Kelly Griffith to veteran Marine and local priest, Father Rubie. He received an award for being one of the 'Chosin Few' who fought at the Chosin Reservoir, during the Korean War, for 17 days, outnumbered by about 67,000 to 30,000, and sustaining 10,000 casualties.
Kelly Griffith presenting Father Rubie a 'Chosin Few' award
Photo courtesy of The Saint Andrews Society of Hawaii
Sunday May 5th - Hamish had a Cinco de Mayo Special on the Maui Celtic Show on 'Sunday Solstice' on Mana'o Radio 91.5 FM, Wailuku, Maui. He played 2 hours of new and old Celtic music, with a Mexican/Spanish theme, with tracks from artists in Mexico, Galicia, Asturias, Ireland, Scotland, England, USA, Canada and Venezuela !
Sunday May 5th - over on Oahu, The Friends of St.Patrick held their annual Golden Pratie Golf Tournament at 11:30am at the Navy Marine Golf Course. The Friends of Saint Patrick topped the Wild Shamrocks 4-1-2 , and now lead the series 5-4. In a well contested match between the two Irish Groups the Friends won the Big Golden Spud by winning four matches, losing one and with two ties rounding out the matches. A good time was had by all and the 19th hole was a great time again with a pasta dinner and drinks, comaradrie and bad jokes. Join them again nest year for the craic and a lot of blarney. More details from Bill Comerford at bill@ejlounge.com, or call 808-223-3997.
Saturday May 4th - our own Hamish Burgess officially piped open The Celtic Art of Hamish Burgess exhibition at Hawaiian Village Coffee in the Kahana Gateway Center (4405 Honoapiilani Hwy, #207) in West Maui. The art will be on display for the first time on Maui, for the whole month of May - opening hours 6am-6pm.
Hamish opening 'The Celtic Art of Hamish Burgess' at Hawaiian Village Coffee, Kahana
See Hamish's Celtic art original paintings, giclees, and prints - all available for purchase. He lives around the corner, so if you want a chat with him about his art, please call 808-264-5190, and he'll pop round to the coffee shop to see you. Preview the artwork on our Gallery page.
There will be an artist's reception Saturday May 18th from 6-8pm with a Celtic Music Session.
Mahalo to David Maran, owner of Hawaiian Village Coffee, for supporting local artists.
Saturday May 4th - on Oahu there was a Celtic-Infused Music Concert by Michael Tanenbaum & Stephen Fox with Special Guests at the Atherton Theatre, 738 Kaheka St. (Makaloa St), Honolulu, at 7.30pm. Michael Tanenbaum and Stephen Fox shared an evening of Celtic-infused soundscapes, with guest appearances by saxophonist Randy Wheeler, Stephen Inglis (guitar) and Robert Wehrman (piano).
Tanenbaum and Fox have collaborated for over a decade, sharing a cinematic breadth and delicate acoustic instrumental sensitivity in their personal compositions. Together, Tanenbaum plays guitar and Fox plays the enigmatic santur/cymbalom, the ancestor of the piano. Both have years of experience as composers, including music for film, dance, and theater, and the combination of instruments generates a synergy that listeners say is like stepping outside time as the tunes evolve.
Tanenbaum is a Celtic inspired instrumental guitarist based in Honolulu, Hawaii. Originally from Canada, he found a new sound in the islands and incorporated his northern Celtic music roots in a fusion of what he now calls locally, "Celtic Slack Key".
Fox kept his santur, cymbalom, or hammered dulcimer (depending on the culture), as a side interest, primarily playing keyboard as a backup and session player in rock, but also becoming an accomplished collaborator in World Music. He has an extensive list of feature and documentary scores to his credit.
More info at www.hawaiipublicradio.org
Wednesday May 1st - for the first time on Maui, The Celtic Art of Hamish Burgess was on display (and will be for the whole month of May - now held over until June 14th - opening hours 6am-6pm) at Hawaiian Village Coffee in the Kahana Gateway Center (4405 Honoapiilani Hwy, #207) in West Maui.
Hamish Burgess with his Celtic art at Hawaiian Village Coffee, Kahana
See our Hamish's Celtic art original paintings, giclees, and prints - all available for purchase. He lives around the corner, so if you want a chat with him about his art, please call 808-264-5190, and he'll pop round to the coffee shop to see you. Preview the artwork on our Gallery page.
There will be an artist's reception Saturday May 18th from 6-8pm with a Celtic Music Session.
Mahalo to David Maran, owner of Hawaiian Village Coffee, for supporting local artists.
Tuesday April 30th - BELTAINE GREETINGS TO ALL !
The great wheel of the year turns again on the evening of April 30th, with ancient Celtic festival of Beltaine, dedicated to the Sun God Bel, ‘the bright and shining one’. He was prayed to at times of sickness, for the healing power of the sun. In various Celtic cultures the god of fertility, healing, music, hunting and even death, he was associated with therapy, prophecy and healing springs.
'BEL' © Hamish Burgess 2013
More details on the artwork above on our Gallery page
Original Celtic and folk art by Hamish Burgess, a piece for the cover of The Celtic Connection newspaper in Vancouver BC and Seattle, the May ‘13 issue.
This seasonal feast marks the end of the dark half of the year, and is about honouring life, and the coming of Summer. The Sun God is released from the captivity of Winter, and returns to visit the Earth Goddess, with a time of joyous celebrating.
The ancient festival has become May Day in modern times, with it’s fertility dance around the Maypole.
Sunday April 28th - Hamish hosted a Beltaine Special on the Maui Celtic Show on 'Sunday Solstice' on Mana'o Radio 91.5 FM, Wailuku, Maui. He played 2 hours of new and old Celtic music, with songs pertaining to the ancient Celtic fire festival of Beltane, with tales and traditions of the time of year. There first hour saw more than a few tracks for ANZAC Day, with tunes from and about Australia and New Zealand. Radio presenter Joel Agnew stopped by the studio for a chat.
Sunday April 28th - over on Oahu, The Friends of St.Patrick held their Irish Movie Night featuring "Boondock Saints" 1 and 2 at the Celtic Room at O'Toole's. More details from Bill Comerford at bill@ejlounge.com, or call 808-223-3997.
Friday April 26th - local band Upcountry Celtic were playing in front of the Maui Crafts Guild in Paia, from 6:30 to 8 pm. Latest details at Upcountry Celtic on Facebook.
Sunday April 21st - Hamish was playing 2 hours of new and old Celtic music on the Maui Celtic Show on 'Sunday Solstice' on Mana'o Radio 91.5 FM, Wailuku, Maui. He had a moving tribute to the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings, and also to Cape Breton songbird Rita MacNeil who passed on this week. He reported from the recent Hawaiian Scottish Festival and Highland Games (see below) held in Waikiki, and played tracks by Sottish singer Colin Grant-Adams. There were a few English folk tracks for St.George's Day, and one for Scotsman John Muir, founder of the Sierra Club, on his 175th birthday anniversary. There was also a give-away contest for a great Irish CD and songbook by Philip M. Price ! Radio presenter Joel Agnew stopped by the studio for a chat.
Saturday April 20th - the Isle of Maui Pipe Band performed in celebration of National Library Week inside the Kahului Library from 1:00-2:00pm. For more information contact Pipe Major Allison Jackson by email at jacksonmaui@gmail.com, or call (808) 572-6513.
Saturday April 20th - local band Upcountry Celtic played at the Banyan Tree Birthday Party, at the Banyan Tree Park in Lahaina, West Maui, from 3-4pm. Latest details at Upcountry Celtic on Facebook.
Saturday April 20th - over on Oahu, The Friends of St.Patrick held an Irish Music Meeting in the Celtic Room at O'Toole's Pub, Downtown Honolulu. Clark Ratliffe from Celtic Waves was there, and there was an impromptu session ! More details from Bill Comerford at bill@ejlounge.com, or call 808-223-3997.
Friday April 19th - award-winning Canadian female folk duo Dala played at the McCoy Studio Theater at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului at 7:30pm. There was a preshow dinner by Michael O'Dwyer himself from Fabiani's in the courtyard. www.mauiarts.org
The concert featured beautiful music, with fantastic vocal harmonies from Amanda Walther and Sheila Carabine of Dala, Juno nominees and winners of the 2010 Canadian Folk Music Award for Vocal Group of the Year.
Hamish with Sheila and Amanda of Dala at the MACC
A highlight for Hamish, who interviewed the ladies after the show, was their superb version of the Irish classic ballad "Red is the Rose". Amanda’s ethereal soprano voice blends seamlessly with Sheila’s velvety alto, creating the lush harmonies that have become their trademark. Darlings of the Canadian music scene, the singer/songwriters have released five albums and toured extensively across North America. More info at www.dalagirls.com
Sunday April 14th - Hamish was back on Maui hosting the 300th Special Edition of the Maui Celtic Show on 'Sunday Solstice' on Mana'o Radio 91.5 FM, Wailuku, Maui. Special guest in the studio was the lovely Jennifer Fahrni. They played 2 hours of his favourite new and old Celtic music, and had a wee Wolfstone DVD give-away contest ! Also several tracks were dedicated to their friend (and show underwriter) George Millar of The Irish Rovers, on his birthday. He also previewed a couple of tracks from Canadian folk duo Dala, playing at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center on Friday. On a sadder note the show opened with a few tracks in memory of Hamish's furry room-mate Lucy the Bassett Hound, who sadly passed away this week - much Aloha to Jason & Alison.
Friday April 12th - over on Oahu, The Hawaiian Scottish Association presented their 4th Annual GRAND SCOTCH TOUR from 6-8:30pm at The Willows Restaurant, 901 Hausten St, Honolulu. The event included the tasting of 35 Scotch whiskies, a buffet of delicious food, and door prizes. Whiskies were available to order at deeply-discounted rates from Tamura's. Etched souvenir glasses were available to the first 200 attendees.
Friday April 12th - also on Oahu, there was a House Concert featuring Michael Tanenbaum, Stephen Fox, and Melissa Cox & Mythica, at the Tanenbaum Residence (5204 Makalena St. Honolulu, HI 96821) at 7:15pm. Folks enjoyed an intimate concert of guitar and Celtic music, with locals Michael and Stephen, and Melissa Cox & Mythica all the way from Delaware. It was a fun evening of folk, rock, Celtic, and World music. Not to mention a jam later and a sing-a-long or two. It was free to come, however donations to the musicians were greatly appreciated.
Sunday April 7th - Daniel was hosting the Maui Celtic Show on 'Sunday Solstice' on Mana'o Radio 91.5 FM, Wailuku, Maui. He played 2 hours of new and old Celtic music, while Hamish was away in Honolulu at the Hawaiian Scottish Festival and Highland Games (see below).
Hamish & Jennifer at the Maui Celtic booth - 32nd Hawaiian Scottish Festival, Waikiki
Sat-Sun April 6th-7th - the Scottish event of the year in the Hawaiian Islands took place on Oahu. The Hawaiian Scottish Association presented their 32nd Annual Hawaiian Scottish Festival & Highland Games at Kapiolani Park, Waikiki, a beautiful location under the shadow of Diamond Head. There were Pipe Bands, traditional Celtic music from local bands and visitors Colin Grant-Adams and also Mythica, and Highland Dance competitions, and of course Highland Games.
The Color Guard, Celtic Pipes & Drums of Hawaii and guests on Parade at the 32nd
Hawaiian Scottish Festival in Kapiolani Park, Waikiki, with Diamond Head beyond
The Celtic Pipes & Drums of Hawaii on Parade at the Hawaiian Scottish Festival
Maui Celtic had a huge booth of fine Scottish imports, classic Maui Celtic logo wear (with the cool Celtic knot Island Map shirts), plaid items - Hawaii Tartan sashes, shawls, and head wraps (do-rags). We represented Sportkilt again this year, with the biggest selection of tartan to be seen in Hawaii for a year, quite appropriate on Tartan Day !
Harley, Hamish & Jennifer with the Hawaii Tartan at the Maui Celtic booth
Next door there was the usual great selection of Celtic CDs from Rampant Lion Celtic Traders. Nearby was the Clan tent, where you could find out more about your family history, and visit the The Saint Andrew Society of Hawaii, The Caledonian Society of Hawaii, and the The Friends of St.Patrick booths. There were also spinning and tartan weaving demonstrations for the ladies of the Hawaii Handweavers Hui.
There were of course the usual tasty food booths - tasty local fare, and fish & chips from Kelly O'Neil's Pub, and the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society of Hawaii booth with tea and great scones, and even haggis ! A children’s tent had entertainment specifically geared for the younger set, including a bouncy castle, and mini-golf games.
Walt Herring with fabulous scones at the RSCDS booth
The focus at noon was on the march of the Parade of the Color Guard, Pipe Bands and the Scottish Clans, which marched across the field in front of Diamond Head, then along the tree-lined lane to the bandstand for the Opening Ceremonies with MC Ian Laing, who previously ran the Games for 15 years, before current Chieftain Dan Peddie. Guards, bands and spectators stood to attention for the National and State Anthems of the USA, Hawaii, and Scotland.
Opening Ceremonies of the 32nd Hawaiian Scottish Festival, Waikiki
Highland Dancers with The Celtic Pipes & Drums of Hawaii
Visiting Highland Dancers from around the world danced to pipe and drum music from local long-established Oahu pipeband The Celtic Pipes and Drums of Hawaii to end the ceremonies.
On the main stage there was a fine display of traditional Hawaiian Hula dancing, then traditional Scottish dancing from the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society of Hawaii, then Celtic music from local traditional bands, visiting regulars Celtic rock group Mythica, and traditional Scottish singer Colin Grant-Adams.
Scottish singer Colin Grant-Adams, and MC Ian Laing at the opening ceremonies
Hula dancing on the bandstand at the Hawaiian Scottish Festival
Running all weekend was the yearly Highland Dancing Competition, featuring Highland dancers of all ages, from Scotland, Canada, Australia and the US Mainland. Dancers from The Margaret Rose School of Dance traveled from Helensborough, Scotland for the event for the 7th year running. Accredited bagpipe player Mark Elliot from Alberta, Canada played the music - the Highland Fling, Sword Dances, strathspeys and reels.
A Bonnie Scottish Highland Dancer
Running all weekend, with Diamond Head as the stunning backdrop, was the men's and women's Highland Games heavy athletics competition, with braw-looking kilted strong lads and lassies - featuring tossing the caber, throwing the light and heavy hammers, putting the stone, and throwing the weight for height.
Heavy Athletic Games Winners Day 1: (l-r) Aaron Thorpe, Richard LaVallee,
Robert MacGregor, Glenn MacCallan Spigelmyer, John a.k.a. Jack Karbensm,
Robert Tuglow, Tim Thorpe, kneeling Victoria West & Nalani Kaun
above photo courtesy of The Hawaiian Scottish Association
On the slower Sunday, with an easier set-up of the Maui Celtic booth, our own Hamish joined the Oahu pipeband The Celtic Pipes and Drums of Hawaii for the Parade and Opening Ceremonies, playing with the Honolulu band for the visiting Highland Dancers.
Hamish with the Celtic Pipes & Drums of Hawaii at the Hawaiian Scottish Festival
Beards were in fine traditional fashion at the Hawaiian Scottish Festival
Piper Dan Sinclair and Fencing Instructor Milton Ragsdale
Still running on Sunday were the men's and women's Highland Games heavy athletics competition, with braw-looking kilted strong lads and lassies - featuring tossing the caber, throwing the light and heavy hammers, putting the stone, and throwing the weight for height. Sunday saw the Mens Open events, and the fun traditional 'Housewife Games' including throwing a Frying Pan and Rolling Pin for distance.
Heavy athletics lads Tossing the Caber near Diamond Head
Kurtis Kaun caber tossing, and David Hart hammer throwing
Some of the braw lads competing in the Heavy Athletic Games Mens Open on Day 2:
(l-r) Stan Dickey, Kamuela Wassman, David Hart, Jonathan Low, Matthew Galloway,
Kurtis Kaun, sorry last 2 unknown (please email us)
Above 3 photos courtesy of The Hawaiian Scottish Association - mahalo.
Mahalo to the Maui Celtic Honolulu crew of Skye, Ming and Harley for all their help, and our gracious hosts Nancy & Kelly. You all rock !
Team Maui Celtic at our booth at the Hawaiian Scottish Festival 2013
Mahalo to Oahu folks for visiting Hamish & Jennifer, and supporting your only local Celtic business, at the Maui Celtic booth at the The Hawaiian Scottish Association's 32nd Annual Hawaiian Scottish Festival & Highland Games at Kapiolani Park, Waikiki - April 6/7th 2013. More info on the annual event from The Hawaiian Scottish Association - Chieftain Dan Peddie at 808-626-3559 and at www.scotshawaii.org.
Saturday April 6th – BAMP Project presented Irish/Celtic punk rock band Dropkick Murphys live at The Republik (1349 Kapiolani Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96814).
The seven member band is made up of Al Barr (lead vocals), Tim Brennan (guitars, accordion, whistle, vocals), Ken Casey (lead vocals, bass guitar), Jeff DaRosa (banjo, bouzouki, mandolin, harmonica, vocals), Matt Kelly (drums, vocals), James Lynch (guitar, vocals), and Scruffy Wallace (bagpipes, tin whistles).
The Dropkick Murphys released their highly anticipated eighth studio album Signed and Sealed in Blood on January 8th with a huge European tour in Ireland, UK, Denmark, Norway and Germany before making their way to Hawaii. Their 2011 critically acclaimed album Going Out In Style debuted at No. 6 on The Billboard 200, making it the rockers' highest charting release to date.
The Boston natives are perhaps best known for 'I’m Shipping Up to Boston' from their 2005 album The Warrior's Code used heavily in the Oscar-winning 2006 movie “The Departed”.
More on Dropkick Murphys music at their website www.dropkickmurphys.com
Saturday April 6th - was National Tartan Day in North America, very fitting this year as it fell on the Saturday of the Hawaiian Scottish Festival & Highland Games in Waikiki (see above).
Hamish Burgess of Maui Celtic with Doug Herring, Hawaii Tartan designer,
on Tartan Day at the Hawaiian Scottish Festival in Waikiki
Tartan is commonly known as 'plaid' in America.
We hope you all joined us in wearing an item of tartan material that day to remember our heritage. The contribution of the immigrant Scots upon North America is considerable and throughout Canada
and America Scots and their descendants have taken the anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath (1320) as their national date to celebrate their Scottish roots.
The full story of the Hawaii Tartan, created by Douglas Herring on Oahu in September 1997, can be read on our Hawaii Tartan page. As well as the previously available made-to-measure Scottish wool Kilts, it is now available in a lightweight blend in Sashes, Shawls, Fly Plaids, Head Wraps, and Sport Kilts - you can find these items in our "Online Store", and at the Maui Celtic booth at the Scottish Games (see above).
Friday April 5th - on Oahu The Hawaiian Scottish Association presented their Taste of Scotland Ceilidh at the Willow's Restaurant, on Hausten Street in Honolulu. An early start at 5pm gave members of the Scottish community and visitors to the Games plenty of good time to socialize.
The Celtic Pipes & Drums of Hawaii at the Taste of Scotland Ceilidh
There was Scottish themed food, and the wine, beer and whisky was flowing ! There was bagpiping from the Celtic Pipes & Drums of Hawaii, and traditional Scottish singing from Colin Grant-Adams, with some classic songs and the odd original.
Colin Grant-Adams at the Taste of Scotland Ceilidh
The young ladies visiting Hawaii, Highland Dancers from all over the world, put on an impromptu show, with piping from Mark Elliot and also the Celtic Pipes & Drums of Hawaii - the Highland Fling, Sword Dances, strathspeys and reels. More info on this yearly event at www.scotshawaii.org.
Highland Dancers at the Taste of Scotland Ceilidh
Thursday April 4th - over on Oahu, The Caledonian Society of Hawaii presented their yearly sunset Tribute to Princess Victoria Kawekiu Lunalilo Kalaninuiahilapalapa Ka'iulani Cleghorn at 6pm at Mauna ‘Ala, the Royal Mausoleum of Hawaii, in Nuuanu Valley (2261 Nu‘unau Avenue), Honolulu. Princess Ka'iulani (October 16, 1875 – March 6, 1899) was half Hawaiian (her mother being Princess, Miriam Likelike) and half Scottish (her father was entrepreneur, Archibald Cleghorn, last Royal Governor of O'ahu). She was heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Hawaii at the time of the illegal overthrow of the monarchy.
Pipers Jake Kaio and Hamish Burgess at the Tribute to Princess Ka'iulani
The Princess' two sides were represented by Hawaiian piper Jake Kaio and Scottish piper Hamish Burgess. They played separately and a few tunes together. Jake played for the Highland Dancers from The Margaret Rose School of Dance, who traveled from Helensborough, Scotland.
Highland Dancers of The Margaret Rose School of Dance with Jake Kaio
Caledonian Society Chieftain Bruce McEwan hosted the evening, wearing the Hawaii Tartan as did our own Hamish & Jennifer and several other folks. Mary Braffet spoke about the Princess, and Lillian Cunningham read Robert Louis Stevenson's famous poem that he wrote in the princess' own book, with Bruce McEwan reading the Hawaiian translation.
Members of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society of Hawaii danced 'The Pikake Lei', written by Bruce McEwan, in honour of Princess Ka'iulani.
Finally Jacob Kaio piped the group down into the crypt where the Hawaiian-Scottish crown princess and her family lie at rest, for the presentation of a lei by her tomb. Well wishers were allowed to pay their respects to the Princess and the Hawaiian Royal Family down in the crypt itself, with Maui Scots represented by Hamish Douglas Burgess of Maui Celtic.
Pipers Hamish Burgess and Jake Kaio with the Margaret Rose Highland Dancers
More details on this annual memorial from The Caledonian Society of Hawaii - Susan MacKinnon at 591-9398, or email susanmack1@mac.com.
Wednesday April 3rd - the Legends of the Celtic Harp (see below) played at The Lodge at Koele, Lanai. For more info email University of Hawaii, Manoa College: tslaught@hawaii.edu
Three of the premier Celtic harpers in the world took folks deep into the myths, magic and fabled history of the mesmerizing instrument: Patrick Ball, award-winning Celtic harp player and captivating spoken word artist, Lisa Lynne a multi-instrumentalist, Celtic harp composer and performer, and Aryeh Frankfurter, a renowned Celtic harper and world traveling multi-instrumentalist.
Sunday March 31st - Hamish was hosting the Easter Special Maui Celtic Show on 'Sunday Solstice' on Mana'o Radio 91.5 FM, Wailuku, Maui. He played 2 hours of new and old Celtic music, with legends and the origins of Easter, named after the Anglo-Saxon goddess Ostara. He also played some songs and interview recorded during the week with singer Al Barr of the Dropkick Murphys, who were playing in Honolulu on April 6th (see above).
The Dropkick Murphys
photo courtesy of The Dropkick Murphys
Hamish chatted with Al about the famous Irish punk band's history, influences, and ties to the Boston Red Sox baseball team with the anthem "Tessie". They also spoke about Oscar winning movie "The Departed", featuring their song "Shipping Up To Boston", and the new album "Signed and Sealed in Blood". More on the band at www.dropkickmurphys.com.
Satrurday March 30th - over on Oahu, the Legends of the Celtic Harp (see below) played at the Orvis Auditorium, Honololu. For more info email University of Hawaii, Manoa College: tslaught@hawaii.edu
Thursday March 28th - the Legends of the Celtic Harp (see below) played at Hana School, and also gave a Community Performance in Hana, East Maui, HI. For more info call 808-242-2787 or email: macc@mauiarts.org
Wednesday March 27th - Legends of the Celtic Harp played at the McCoy Studio Theater at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului at 7:30pm.
Three of the premier Celtic harpers in the world took folks deep into the myths, magic and fabled history of the mesmerizing instrument: Patrick Ball, award-winning Celtic harp player and captivating spoken word artist, Lisa Lynne a multi-instrumentalist, Celtic harp composer and performer, and Aryeh Frankfurter, a renowned Celtic harper and world traveling multi-instrumentalist.
Legends of the Celtic Harp - Patrick Ball, Lisa Lynne, and Aryeh Frankfurter
There was a preshow dinner by Michael O'Dwyer himself from Mulligan's on the Blue in the courtyard, and many of Maui's own Celtic players were out to see the show. The first half featured beautiful music and fantastic short stories and legends from Ireland, told my master story-teller Patrick Ball, who also played the brass-strung harp. Lisa Lynne played lovely harp and bouzouki music, and Aryeh Franfurter played more fabulous harp, bouzouki and the Swedish Nyckleharpa, an ancient keyed fiddle.
Legends of the Celtic Harp at the McCoy Studio Theater
Photo © Hamish Burgess, taken at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center www.mauiarts.org
The second half was an epic Irsh harp story, featuring some original compositions by Lisa Lynne, with the two gents also playing their instruments. A night of amazing music and stories - Legends of the Celtic Harp indeed ! More on the trio at www.legendsofthecelticharp.com
Sunday March 24th - Hamish was back hosting the Maui Celtic Show on 'Sunday Solstice' on Mana'o Radio 91.5 FM, Wailuku, Maui. He played 2 hours of new and old Celtic music, with tales of his month away touring the Mid-west and Eastern States with The Irish Rovers, and featuring some music he picked up on his travels from Celtic bands in the local areas. The fisrt half also featured special guest callers Patrick Ball and Lisa Lynne, who were heading to Hawaii for concerts the next week with Aryeh Frankfurter, for their "Legends of the Celtic Harp" show (see above). They talked about the harpers' careers, and the concert series of music and storytelling.
In the second half he featured interview and songs from Irish singer/songwriter Robbie O'Connell, with whom he and Jennifer spent a nice quiet St.Patrick's Day lunchtime.
March 17th - HAPPY ST.PATRICK'S DAY TO ALL OUR IRISH FRIENDS ! St.Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland , and Irish folks all around the world celebrate their culture on March 17th.
'ST.PATRICK' © Hamish Burgess 2012. Original Celtic and folk art by Hamish Burgess, a piece for the cover of The Celtic Connection newspaper in Vancouver BC and Seattle, the March 2012 issue.
More details on the artwork above on our Gallery page.
St. Patrick was born around 387-390 AD with the Celtic name Maewyn Succat, in a village called Bannavem Taburniæ in Western Britain, either Wales or Scotland, under Roman rule. He adopted the title Patricius, or Patrick, upon becoming a priest.
At the age of 16 he was kidnapped by Irish pirates, and brought to pagan Ireland. Sold as a slave to a landowner in Antrim, he tended sheep on Slemish Mountain for six years. During this time he learnt to speak Irish and was exposed to druidism, as his master was a druid high priest, but found solace in his Christian faith. In a dream a voice told him to escape, and he traveled south for 200 miles and found a ship leaving for Gaul.
He trained as a cleric in France, in monasteries at Tours and Lerins, and was ordained a priest by St. Germain, bishop of Auxerre, then sent to teach Christianity to the Irish. He was to assist Palladius, already there on a mission, but he died and Patrick was ordained bishop himself in 432.
According to the ‘Annals of Ulster’ he landed in Ireland at Strangford Lough, and his first convert under Dichiu gave him land at Saul, and a building for a church. He spent time on his mission at the Ulster capital of Emain Macha and Ard Macha (Armagh), at the court of King Daire.
He died at Saul, Downpatrick Ireland, on the 17th of March 460 or some say 492. All dates are the subject of some debate.
Sunday March 17th - Daniel was hosting the ST.PATRICK'S DAY SPECIAL Maui Celtic Show on 'Sunday Solstice' on Mana'o Radio 91.5 FM, Wailuku, Maui. He was playing 2 hours of new and old Celtic music, focusing on Irish music for the famous saint's day, while Hamish was away touring the Eastern States with The Irish Rovers.
Sunday March 17th - ST.PATRICK'S DAY ON MAUI !!
SOUTH MAUI had the biggest bash starting at noon with the annual St. Paddy's Day Party at Mulligan's on the Blue in Wailea, with house band The Celtic Tigers, visiting Irish band The Chancers (noon-3pm), from Portland, Oregon, and much more ! Call 874-1131 for more details, or visit www.mulligansontheblue.com.
WEST MAUI festivities were happening at Fleetwood's on Front St. in Lahaina. Out of the mists returned Maui's own Celtic Hart playing at Fleetwood's specialy for St. Patrick's Day from 5-8pm. Plus lots of wild piping throughout the night from the Mad Bagpiper Roger McKinley.
UPCOUNTRY MAUI saw the Irish band The Chancers (see above), playing at Casanova's in Makawao - 8-11pm.
NORTH SHORE normally has local Maui group Upcountry Celtic playing somewhere.
CENTRAL MAUI - the Maui Pops Orchestra presented St. Paddy's Pops at the Castle Theater at the MACC, with special guests Silvina Samuel, Ellen Peterson & Lorne Direnfeld, and the Maui Academy of Performing Arts Dancers. This year's Spring Concert payed tribute to St. Patrick's Day! Folks put on their green and heard their favorite Irish and Celtic music with the Maui Pops Orchestra. Maui cellist Silvina Samuel played the beautiful "Adagio on Celtic Melodies" by Bruch. Dancers from the Maui Academy of Performing Arts performed their version of River Dance, "Lord of the Dance," under the direction of Kathleen Schulz along with guest dancers Ellen Peterson and Lorne Direnfeld. Lunch was catered by Mulligan's on the Blue and served in Yokouchi Pavilion Courtyard.
Sunday March 17th - ST.PATRICK'S DAY ON OAHU !!
The Friends of St.Patrick held their 46th Annual St.Patrick's Day Parade in Waikiki. The Parade stepped off at noon at Fort DeRussy and marched down Kalakaua Ave in Waikiki to Kapiolani Park by the bandstand. The parade this year featured James McCarthy as the Friends of Saint Patrick Irishman of the year. If you are interested in marching or participating in the yearly parade, please contact Bill Comerford at 223-3997 or Chuck Wall at 220-2584.
The Post Parade Party was at Kelley O'Neils Pub (311 Lewers St) in Waikiki. Immediately following the parade the Friends headed to Kelley O’Neil’s to celebrate Erin’s favorite saint with live Irish music at 1pm featuring Celtic Waves. Irish items appropriate for the day were available as well as a menu of Corned Beef and Cabbage, Chowder, Beef Stew, “Bangers and Mash”, and Corned Beef Sandwiches. Also, there was a fine selection of Irish Brews including Guinness, Harp, Smithwick’s, and Killians and a great selection of finer Irish whiskeys. More details from Bill Comerford at bill@ejlounge.com, or call 808-223-3997.
Meanwhile downtown.....the annual Honolulu St. Patrick's Day Block Party was getting going - the biggest Hawaii Irish bash and the last place on the planet (this side of the dateline) to celebrate St.Patrick's Day ! Every year Murphy's Bar and Grill sponsors a FREE all afternoon/evening block party in downtown Honolulu's Irish Corner at Nuuanu Avenue and Merchant Street - www.gomurphys.com. Always a blast the block party started around 5:30pm when the Streets were closed on Nuuanu, Merchant and Marin Lanes. Live music included the Doolin Rakes and Piranha Brothers on the streets. Libations were by Guinness, Harp, Killlian’s, Coors Light, Bud Light, Stella Artois, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Coors Light, Jamesons and Barefoot Wines. Live Music, great food, clothing and fun pervaded the streets. There was a full day of Irish Music at O’Toole’s “the Party within the Party”, starting at 1pm with the Kaimana Ceili Band, followed at 4pm by Kieran Murphy and topped off with Honolulu’s own Doolin Rakes. The Street party should run until 11pm.
All week visiting troubador Kieran Murphy from New York, was playing at all the Irish music pubs, with traditional songs and his own originals.
O’Toole’s Irish Pub, Kelley O’Neil’s and the Irish Rose Saloon had Irish music throughout the week of St Patrick’s featuring:
Visiting artists; Kieran Murphy, and Jayder Kalk & the Church of Cash.
Local artists; Kaimana Ceili, Celtic Waves, Whiskey Starship, Doolin Rakes, and Hooligan's Harp. Full calendar at http://www.irishpubhawaii.com/
Saturday March 16th - local band Upcountry Celtic played at Makawao Public Library at 3pm. It was a free show for all ages. Folks celebrated St.Patrick's Day early with lively Celtic music and dancing ! Latest details at Upcountry Celtic on Facebook. For more information please call the library at 573-8785.
Saturday March 16th - the Irish band The Chancers (see below), played at Mulligan's on the Blue in Wailea. Call Mulligans at 808-874-1131 for more details, or visit www.mulligansontheblue.com.
Friday March 15th - the Irish band The Chancers (see below), played at Fleetwood's on Front St. in the rooftop bar of Mick Fleetwood's (of Fleetwood Mac fame) restaurant in Lahaina, West Maui - 6.30-9.30pm. Call Fleetwoods at 808-669-MICK(6425) located at 744 Front Street, Lahaina, 96761.
March 14th-17th - the Isle of Maui Pipe Band unfortunately cancelled the 10th consecutive Maui Bagpipe Workshop with one of the world's best bagpipers Jack Lee. For more information visit Isle of Maui Pipe Band, or email Pipe Major Allison Jackson at jacksonmaui@gmail.com, or call (808) 572-6513.
March 14th-17th - saw the return to Maui for the Irish band The Chancers, who are based out of Portland, Oregon. The Chancers originally formed in 2001 after a Guinness-fueled quest to drive across Oregon on a St. Patrick’s weekend, the band has continued to grow and mature, building on their childhood experiences of listening to and playing music in their native Ireland. www.myspace.com/thechancerspdx. They played on :
Thursday March 14th at Mulligan's on the Blue in Wailea - 6-9pm.
Friday March 15th at Fleetwood's on Front St. in Lahaina, West Maui - 6.30-9.30pm.
Saturday March 16th at Mulligan's on the Blue in Wailea - 6.30-9.30pm.
Sunday March 17th at the St.Patrick's Day Party at Mulligan's on the Blue in Wailea - 12-3pm. Also St.Patrick's Day at Casanova's in Makawao, Upcountry Maui - 8-11pm.
The Chancers on Maui - March 14th-17th
Thursday March 14th - saw the return to Maui's Irish pub for The Chancers (see above), who played at Mulligan's on the Blue in Wailea. Call Mulligans at 808-874-1131 for more details, or visit www.mulligansontheblue.com.
February 20th - March 19th - our Maui Celtic duo Hamish & Jennifer were on the mainland on 'The Drunken Sailor' Tour with legendary Irish (and now Canadian) folk band The Irish Rovers.
Saturday March 9th - on Oahu, The Friends of St.Patrick annual Emerald Ball Dinner Event was held at the Manoa Grand Ballroom (Japanese Cultural Center, 2454 South Beretania St., Honolulu), starting at 5pm. Tickets $75. The premier Irish dinner event of the year, with Silent Auction, Irish Person of the Year which this year is James McCarthy. Irish Entertainment was from The Celtic Pipes & Drums of Hawaii, local band Celtic Waves, visiting troubador Kieran Murphy from New York, Irish Dance Hawaii, and more ! More details from Bill Comerford at bill@ejlounge.com, or call 808-223-3997.
Sunday March 3rd - Daniel was hosting The Maui Celtic Show on 'Sunday Solstice' on Mana'o Radio 91.5 FM, Wailuku, Maui. He played 2 hours of new and old Celtic music, while Hamish was away touring the Eastern States with The Irish Rovers.
Sunday March 3rd - local band Upcountry Celtic played at the Whale and Ocean Arts Festival in Lahaina. 3-4pm. Also the local Haiku Hillbillys played from 10am-12pm. The festival was a two-day event, 9-5pm Sat 2nd & Sun 3rd, at the Banyan Tree Park - lots going on both days, with Hawaiian music and arts & crafts. Latest details at Upcountry Celtic on Facebook.
Saturday March 2nd - the Isle of Maui Pipe Band played at the Whale and Ocean Arts Festival in Lahaina. A full one hour show from 10:00-11:00am, just after Wilmont Kahaiali'i made the opening blessing. The festival was a two-day event, 9-5pm Sat 2nd & Sun 3rd, at the Banyan Tree Park - lots going on both days, with Hawaiian music and arts & crafts.
Sunday February 24th - Daniel was hosting The Maui Celtic Show on 'Sunday Solstice' on Mana'o Radio 91.5 FM, Wailuku, Maui. He played 2 hours of new and old Celtic music, and also had a Welsh theme to celebrate St.David's Day (March 1st), the patron saint of Wales. Hamish called in from Clearwater, Florida, where he was away touring the Eastern States with The Irish Rovers.
Saturday February 23rd - The Caledonian Society of Hawaii held a Scottish Breakfast Demonstration at 5:30 PM at Calvary Episcopal Church (45-435 Aumoku St.) in Kaneohe at 5:30pm. Although the event was in the evening, it was a tribute to the Scottish breakfast ! Cookbook writer Janet Warren says, “Breakfast is a splendid affair in Scotland, the meal in which traditional recipes and local produce really come into their own.” After several of their skilled cooks demonstrated selected breakfast recipes, folks sampled the results in an evening breakfast meal. More info from Lillian Cunningham at 538-7707 or email lillianc@hawaii.edu.
Sunday February 17th - Hamish had a special tribute on The Maui Celtic Show on 'Sunday Solstice' on Mana'o Radio 91.5 FM, Wailuku, Maui. The show was dedicated to Cornish sea-shanty singer Trevor Grills, of the Port Isaac's Fisherman’s Friends, who passed away as a result of severe head injuries inflicted during an accident on Saturday 9th February, and road manager Paul McMullen who died in the same accident. Condolences and much Aloha to their families and the singing group. Hamish and guest Daniel Vicars, a tall-ship sailor himself, played 2 hours of new and old Celtic music, with a theme of sea-shanties and the ocean, with classic sea-songs by The Irish Rovers, The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem and others, and of course Port Isaac's Fisherman’s Friends, interspersed with interview clips by the group's frontman Jon Cleave, recorded last summer in Port Isaac, Cornwall.
Port Isaac's Fisherman's Friends on the Platt in Port Isaac, Cornwall
Saturday Feb 16th - the Isle of Maui Pipe Band marched in the Whale Day Parade in Kihei at 9:00am. The parade ran along South Kihei Road, from Alanui Ke Ali'i to Kalama Park. They were dressed in a "Save the Seas" theme ! A wonderful event for the keiki, with live music and local crafters, and festivities running all day until 6:00pm. For more information contact Pipe Major Allison Jackson by email at jacksonmaui@gmail.com, or call (808) 572-6513.
Saturday February 16th - over on Oahu, The Friends of St.Patrick held an Irish Humour Meeting in the Celtic Room at O'Toole's Pub, Downtown Honolulu at 3.30pm. More details from Bill Comerford at bill@ejlounge.com, or call 808-223-3997.
Wednesday Feb 13th - the Isle of Maui Pipe Band played at the Hula Bar and Grill in Whaler's Village, Kaanapali, West Maui. A public show for a birthday party, which began around 6pm - a fun sunset session on the grass by the beach. For more information contact Pipe Major Allison Jackson by email at jacksonmaui@gmail.com, or call (808) 572-6513.
Sunday February 10th - Hamish hosted a Valentines Special on The Maui Celtic Show on 'Sunday Solstice' on Mana'o Radio 91.5 FM, Wailuku, Maui. He played 2 hours of new and old Celtic music, all with a theme of love - some beautiful ballads, and some pretty wild uptempo love songs ! He related the origins of Valetines Day, and the legend of St.Valentine. Hamish dedicated the show to his Valentine, Jennifer Fahrni, listening up in Vancouver, BC.
There was also a big musical GIVE-AWAY to be won - a copy of Philip M. Price's CD and accompnying songbook "In Dublin Town Where I Was Born" - congratulations to winner Bobby in Alberta, Canada !
Sunday February 3rd - Hamish was back with an IMBOLC special on The Maui Celtic Show on 'Sunday Solstice' on Mana'o Radio 91.5 FM, Wailuku, Maui. He talked about the traditions of the ancient Celtic spring festival (see below) of Imbolc, or Imbolg, sacred day of the Celtic goddess Brigid, and played tracks about her name. The day coincides with Groundhog Day in the Americas, originating with European settlers: a symbol of Brigid is the Serpent, who at this time of year was said to come out of it's hole, like the badger, to see if the warming weather will affect her winter sleep. A fine frosty day forbode more winter ahead, but a cloudy day meant the quick end of winter.
'BRIGID' © Hamish Burgess 2012
More details on the artwork (right) on our Gallery page.
He also reported on the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards just held in Scotland, and played some tracks by Lifetime Achievement Award winners Dougie MacLean and Aly Bain, and Musician of the Year Kathryn Tickell.
Saturday February 2nd - visiting Celtic duo Magical Strings played a concert at historic St. John’s Church, Keokea, Kula, Maui in the late afternoon.
They also ran a Harp & Dulcimer Workshop from 1-3 pm, presented by Philip & Pam Boulding for all who are interested in this magical and timeless instrument – “From Irish jigs to Hawaiian Slack-Key !” was a mix of hands-on and demonstration, and all were invited to attend whether you had a harp or not! All attendees received hand-outs of music notation and resource information about the harp to further their experience.
During the concert, folks could travel with Magical Strings, Pam & Philip Boulding, to experience the Magic of Ireland in music and verse. With Celtic harps, hammered dulcimers, concertina, accordion and whistles, the duo shared their new compositions and stories inspired by their journeys to Ireland and beyond.
Maui Celtic's own Hamish Burgess had a great time playing music with the duo on the beach at sunset at Napili Bay.....harp, dulcimer, concertinas and smallpipes drew quite a crowd !
Pam & Philip Boulding of Magical Strings in Napili
Philip and Pam Boulding founded Magical Strings in 1978, beginning their tradition of family Celtic Yuletide concerts with their five children. They have performed throughout the United States, Canada, Ireland and Japan, toured and recorded with Dan Fogelberg, appeared on Garrison Keillor’s “A Prairie Home Companion,” and recorded 18 albums on four labels. Over 30 years ago, Philip became inspired by the music of Keola Beamer, and proceeded to develop a style of slack-key music for the Celtic harp, which later developed into a collaboration with Keola on their recording “Islands Calling.” Philip and Pam also design and build Celtic harps, run the School of Magical Strings, and host the Magic Hill Summer Harp Camp and Summer Fairy School on their beautiful 5-acre home in the Northwest overlooking the Puget Sound. For more details, please visit www.magicalstrings.com, call (253) 857-3716, or email info@magicalstrings.com.
Saturday Feb 2nd 2013 - over on Kauai, the West Kauai Rotary Club held their annual Robert Burns Supper, at the Waimea Plantation Cottages, in Waimea, West Kauai at 5pm. The Robert Burns Dinner is one of the most anticipated events of the West Kauai calendar. A celebration of the life and times of Robert Burns, with bagpipes and kilts galore, and even some highland dancing.
Kauai Robert Burns Supper, at the Waimea Plantation Cottages
Photo courtesy of West Kauai Rotary Club
It started with Pupus, and no host cocktails, and Celtic music by Alii Strings. Then there was a procession by the Celtic Pipes & Drums of Hawaii, with a special guest apperance by Champion Bagpiper Jori Chisholm, followed by a buffet dinner prepared by The Grove Cafe. For more info, please call the Waimea Plantation Cottages at 808-338-1625, Dave Walker at 808-652-0616, or call the Rotary Club at (808) 639-2061 or visit www.rotarywestkauai.org
Kauai Robert Burns Supper 2013
Friday Feb 1st - over on Kauai, the West Kauai Rotary Club presented a free Bagpipe Concert, featuring the Celtic Pipes & Drums of Hawaii, at Hofgaard Park, in Waimea, West Kauai at sunset. More details please call (808) 639-2061 or visit www.rotarywestkauai.org
Friday Feb 1st - IMBOLC GREETINGS TO ONE AND ALL !
Imbolc - the coming of Spring - the great wheel of the year turns again on February 1st, with the ancient sacred day of the Celtic goddess Brigid - Mother Goddess of Ireland - also called Brigit, Bride, Brighid, and Brigantia. The root of her name means 'bright' or 'exalted', and possibly 'firebrand'. Tradition has it that she walks the earth Imbolc eve, and Bride with her white wand (top left) is said to “breathe life into the mouth of dead Winter, and bring him to open his eyes to the tears and smiles, the sighs and laughter of Spring” (Carmina Gadelica Vol.1).
“IMBOLC” © Hamish Burgess 2011
More details on the artwork above on our Gallery page.
Brigid is goddess of the home and hearth (centre), and associated with sacred flames, representing the return of the sun and warmth, coming with the lengthening days. Her 3 fires are the hearth, the forge and inspiration.
Imbolc, also spelled Imbolg (translated as 'in the belly'), and Oimelc ('ewes milk') is a time of the renewal of life, with lactating ewes (bottom left) ready for their young. The milk is a sign of life, shown here as white interlacing knotwork and flows into the earth. In folklore, people pour a small amount of milk on the ground this morning, to thank the Mother for feeding them for the last year.
A symbol of Brigid (and that of healing, still seen on the physician's staff of today) is the Serpent, who at this time of year was said to come out of it's hole, like the badger, to see if the warming weather will affect her winter sleep. A fine frosty day forbode more winter ahead, but a cloudy day meant the quick end of winter. This tradition continued in the Americas, with European settlers seeing this habit from a new animal, and is now Groundhog Day.
Sunday January 27th - there was another chance to celebrate Robert Burn's Night two days after the Scottish poet's 254th birthday, at ‘Mulligans on the Blue’ in Wailea, presented by Mulligans and sponsored by Maui Celtic.
It started at 6pm with folks sitting down for dinner, just in time for MC Cameron Keys to announce Piper Allison Jackson who ceremoniously piped in the Haggis, in procession with the honorable Whisky Bearer Bud Clark, and then the Traditional Haggis Bearer, chef Michael O'Dwyer.
The "Address to the Haggis" was read by Scotsman Prakash MacKay, long-time Maui resident from Glasgow, reciting the famous poem then piercing the haggis with a dagger.
Next followed the whiskey toasts, including the Loyalty Toast to "Scotland, Ireland and Hawaii", and Burns poetry, good craic, then the music......and what a session of music it was !
The night's Celtic music came in great style from legendary Irish singer Derek Warfield and the Young Wolfe Tones (see below for details on the band). Derek, now in his 50th year of performing, belted out traditional Irish songs, including his trademark patriotic 'rebel' songs, and a few Scottish songs in honour of Burns Night. Ripping instrumentals came from The Young Wolfe Tones, led by Damaris Woods on banjo, with Derek on the bodhran.
Derek Warfield, and Damaris Woods of the Young Wolfe Tones at Mulligans
www.derekwarfield.com . www.theyoungwolfetones.com
More info call Mulligans at 874-1131, or visit www.mulligansontheblue.com.
Sunday January 27th - over on Oahu, The Friends of St.Patrick held their Monthly Irish Movie Night at 6pm in the Celtic Room at O'Toole's Pub, Downtown Honolulu, this time featuring the film Hunger. With an Irish Themed Movie on the last Sunday of every month, folks joined them for a no cost movie on the big screen in the Celtic Room, bringing their own snacks, with drinks available from the bar.
Hunger follows life in the Maze Prison, Northern Ireland with an interpretation of the highly emotive events surrounding the 1981 IRA Hunger Strike, led by Bobby Sands. With an epic eye for detail, the film provides a timely exploration of what happens when body and mind are pushed to the uttermost limit.
More details from Bill Comerford at bill@ejlounge.com, or call 808-223-3997.
Sunday January 27th - Hamish had a Robert Burns/Australia Day/Imbolc Special on the Maui Celtic Show on 'Sunday Solstice' on Mana'o Radio 91.5 FM, Wailuku, Maui. He played 2 hours of new and old Celtic music, starting with more Robert Burns songs, with another Maui Burns Night that evening. Then he covered Australia Day, with music about the 'land down under', and the story of Ned Kelly, the infamous outlaw, whose bones had just been returned to his family for a private burial. Finally was Imbolc, the coming of Spring, an ancient Celtic festival when the great wheel of the year turns again on February 1st, the sacred day of the Celtic goddess Brigid.
Saturday January 26th 2013 - over on Oahu, The Caledonian Society of Hawaii held their annual Robert Burns dinner "Celebrating Burns, Local Style", at the Oahu Country Club (150 Country Club Road, off Pali Hwy). 5.30pm No host cocktails. 6.15pm Call to Dinner. Highland or evening attire.
This year they combined the traditional Scottish favorites with a local-style Hawaii flair. Traditional haggis was served with Hawaii’s lomi lomi salmon and taro lavosh as a starter. A surprisingly aromatic cock-a-leekie soup will include long rice. The three choices this year were beef tenderloin with a guava glaze, local fresh fish with a scotch sauce, or a chunky mushroom potpie with Okinawan sweet potatoes. Dessert will be a surprise soufflé also with a local flair.
The program also contained a local twist with “Address to A Haggis” featuring Caledonian members Stuart Donachie in Scots, and Hardy Spoehr translating into Pidgin !
Left - “Address to A Haggis” by Stuart Donachie in Scots, and Hardy Spoehr in Pidgin !
Right - the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society of Hawaii members at Burns Night
Above photos courtesy of The Caledonian Society of Hawaii
The Robert Burns Dinner is one of the most anticipated events of the Caledonian Society calendar. More members come out for this event than for any other during the year, and more guests than at any other time.
The Caledonian Society is a non-profit organization and as such do not charge more than the costs
for any event. Early Bird Special was $75 for paid CS members; $85 for your guests; OR buy a table of eight (8) and fill it how you’d like (member or non-member) for $600.
More details please call Susan at 591-9398 or email susanmack1@mac.com.
Friday January 25th - ROBERT BURNS NIGHT ON MAUI. On Maui folks joined Scots worldwide by celebrating the famous Scottish poet's 254th birthday !
Maui Celtic's 9th annual Robert Burns Night was held this year at Fleetwood's on Front St. in the dining room of Mick Fleetwood's (of Fleetwood Mac fame) restaurant in Lahaina, West Maui. Maui Celtic's own Hamish Burgess and Roger McKinley were playing bagpipes and MC'd the evening. The evening started at 7.30pm with folks sitting down for dinner, just in time for the ceremonious piping in the Haggis by Roger McKinley, in procession with the honorable Whisky Bearer Bud Clark, and the Traditional Haggis Bearer, GM Eric Waddell.
Roger McKinley piping in the Haggis, with GM Eric Waddell and Bud Clark, at Fleetwoods
Whisky buffs waited eagerly for their Burns Night special - a flight of 6 high quality scotch drams for the toasts. First came the "Address to the Haggis", well read by Scotsman Prakash MacKay, long-time Maui resident from Glasgow, who recited the famous poem then dramaticallly stabbed the beast with a sgian dubh ! There followed all the whiskey toasts, including the Loyalty Toast to "Scotland, and Hawaii !", and the 'Toast to the Lassies' by the men, and the 'Reply to the Lads' by the ladies. Lots of Burns poetry, and good craic, served up to a full house enjoying the regular dinner menu, or the Burns Night special of Haggis, neeps & tatties, or epic salmon and special Scottish desert.
Prakash MacKay with the "Address to the Haggis" at Fleetwoods Burns Night
Hamish Burgess piping with Bud Clark on bodhran
There was more Burns poetry, piping from Maui Celtic's own Hamish Burgess and Bud Clark on the bodhran (traditional drum), then special guests the Asher family. A fine pipe tune set from David & Innes Asher, with 11 year-old Innes fresh from a junior pipeband 3rd place at the World Pipeband Championships in Glasgow last summer ! The lads were joined by Marianne & Iona for a family rendition of an old Scots Gaelic air, followed by Innes piping for his wee sister Iona for a great display of Highland dancing.
The Asher family piping and Highland dancing at Robert Burns Night
More Celtic music came from Roger McKinley and Bud Clark on low whistles, with some great sets of tunes, before the evening ended with a sing-along of the Burns classic "Auld Lang Syne", and a ripping Highland bagpipe set from Hamish & Roger, a fitting end to Maui Celtic's 9th annual Robert Burns Night, and the first for Fleetwoods on Front St. !
Roger McKinley and Bud Clark on low whistles
Thanks to Roger McKinley for organizing the first Burns event at Fleetwoods, and the chefs for the fine-looking haggis ! More on Fleetwoods at 808-669-MICK(6425) or online at Fleetwood's on Front St., located at 744 Front Street, Lahaina, 96761.
Friday January 25th - there was also a Burns Night Dinner at the Moana Bakery & Cafe in Paia (71 Baldwin Ave, Paia, 96779) from 5pm onwards. At Moana you could celebrate the life of the famous Scottish Poet and pioneer of the Romantic Movement, Robert Burns, with Scotch, lamb, and vegetarian haggis. Moana Cafe had a special menu......
First Course: Hedgerow salad (dandelion, nasturtiums, chervil, mustard, other greens) with thyme dressing. Second Course: Vegetarian- Cabbage stuffed with veggie haggis, roasted neeps (turnips) and herbs, tatties (mashed potatoes), OR- Roasted lamb leg stuffed with mushrooms, with veggie haggis, with neeps and tatties. Pudding: Whiskey tablet and Vanilla Tablet.
The above
menu can be served with your choice of whisky of course.......raise your glasses, fair lads and lasses, but remember:
”But pleasures are like poppies spread,
You seize the flow’r, its bloom is shed;
Or like the snow falls in the river,
A moment white—then melts for ever;”
For more info please visit www.moanacafe.com or call (808) 579-9999.
Friday January 25th - legendary Irish singer Derek Warfield and the Young Wolfe Tones played an all-ages Dinner & Show at Mulligans on the Blue in Wailea. There was a traditional Irish dinner & then the show, with the event sponsored by Jameson Irish Whiskey and Killian's Irish Red Ale. There's no better venue to see this legend than in the atmosphere of a Real Irish Pub. Folks enjoyed a great mix of traditional Irish tunes and storytelling !
Derek Warfield & The Young Wolfe Tones at Mulligans
Nominated in 2009 as Ireland's Best Traditional Irish Folk Group, touring over 400 concerts in 2010 and 2011, throughout 10 different countries, Derek Warfield and The Young Wolfe Tones are known throughout the world for their quality musical presentation of Irish Patriotic Songs & Traditional Irish Music with top class fiery introductions from their lead singer, song writer and storyteller, Derek Warfield. He enjoyed success for some 40 years with the Wolfe Tones, before heading on the road with his current band - he is now joined on stage by some of the finest Irish musicians and singers from a younger generation.
Damaris Woods plays the tenor Banjo, hails from Co. Meath, and is one of the finest musicians and teachers in Ireland. Talented Singer-guitarist Alan Murray hails from Glasgow in Scotland and his love for the Glasgow Celtic Football team means that he is no stranger to Irish Traditional Music and Irish Patriotic Songs. The lineup is completed by the appearance of the youngest member of the band Dan Lowery who hails from Co. Dallas in Texas ! Dan is a multi- talented Flute and Tin-Whistle Player, guitarist/ singer and vocalist who hails from a family rich in musical tradition, song and sport and Dan's family hail from Co. Cork.
www.derekwarfield.com
www.theyoungwolfetones.com
January 23rd & 24th 2013 - over on Oahu, Derek Warfield and the Young Wolfe Tones played in Honolulu.
Wed Jan 23rd they played at Anna O'Brien's (2440 S. Beretania) at 7:30pm. James McCarthy was the opening act, with Hooligan's Harp following. Proceeds from this show will go toward Honolulu’s 46th Annual St. Patrick's Day parade.
Thurs Jan 24th they played at The Irish Rose Saloon (479 Ena Rd) in Waikiki at 8pm. Following the Young Wolfe Tones was local Irish band The Doolin Rakes, who carried the torch til 1:30 am. The event was sponsored by Jameson Irish Whiskey and Killian's Irish Red Ale.
More details from Bill Comerford at bill@ejlounge.com, or call 808-223-3997.
Derek Warfield & The Young Wolfe Tones in Honolulu 2011
www.derekwarfield.com
www.theyoungwolfetones.com
Monday Jan 21st - the Isle of Maui Pipe Band played in the Martin Luther King Jr Parade in Wailuku. Beginning at 9am they marched from High St down to Market St in Wailuku. For more information contact Pipe Major Allison Jackson by email at jacksonmaui@gmail.com, or call (808) 572-6513.
Sunday January 20th - Hamish had a Robert Burns Special on The Maui Celtic Show on 'Sunday Solstice' on Mana'o Radio 91.5 FM, Wailuku, Maui. With the upcoming Burns Night celebrations around the world on Jan 25th, he played the Scottish poet's words set to Celtic music from all over the Celtic Nations. Many different artists' songs were played, and Hamish featured the songs by Ed Miller and Eddi Reader, and the two Scots singers and Burns affictionados' thoughts on the famous poet and his work.
Robert Burns (25 January 1759 – 21 July 1796) is Scotland's national poet, and his 240 year old verse has become
part of Scottish heritage celebrated all over the world on January 25th. He is the best known of the poets who have written in the Scots language, and is the most widely translated poet in the world, even more than William Shakespeare. He was
born in Ayrshire, Scotland in 1759, into a poor farming family. At age 27 he
published his first volume of poems, which was a huge success, and his humour
and wit became legendary. He moved to Edinburgh, and received critical acclaim.
He wrote about everyday things, philosophy, and about his loves, which contributed
to his popularity. 2 years later, he married and moved to a farm in Dumfries,
working as an exciseman while still continuing to write poetry and songs.
He died at 37, in 1796.
He also had a US exclusive with a great unreleased track 'Aboard the Nova Scotia' from Neil Mitchell, a Scots singer/songwriter from Dundee now living in Melbourne Australia, in advance of his forthcoming album. More on Neil at www.neilmitchellmusic.com.
Saturday Jan 19th - The Friends of St.Patrick held their Cead Mille Failte (100,000 Welcomes) Meeting 3:30pm in the Celtic Room at O'Toole's Pub, Downtown Honolulu. The first meeting of the year for all members, new and old, to dicuss the coming year's events. More details from Bill Comerford at bill@ejlounge.com, or call 808-223-3997.
Monday January 14th - over on Oahu, The Friends of St.Patrick held A Glenlivet Whisky Tasting in the Celtic Room O'Toole's Pub, Downtown Honolulu, at 6:30pm. For the Scotch Drinkers in our midst, the event was presided over by Rick Edwards, Master of Whiskey from Glenlivet (Pernod Ricard). More info call 808-521-4712, or email whiskey@irishpubhawaii.com.
Sunday January 13th - Hamish was hosting The Maui Celtic Show on 'Sunday Solstice' on Mana'o Radio 91.5 FM, Wailuku, Maui. He played 2 hours of new Celtic music, from all over the Celtic Nations. He had a US exclusive with a great unreleased track 'The St.Kilda Mailboat' from Neil Mitchell, a Scots singer/songwriter from Dundee now living in Melbourne Australia, in advance of his forthcoming album. More on Neil at www.neilmitchellmusic.com.
Hamish played a wee segment on Julie Fowlis, nominated for a song Oscar for her music on the cartoon film 'Brave' about a Scottish princess. He played a song in English from the film, one in Scots Gaelic from her latest CD 'Uam', and a piping instrumental from her other band Dochas. More on Julie at www.juliefowlis.com.
There were also musical GIVE-AWAYS to be won, download cards for Tim Readman's new music, with lovely guest Jennifer Fahrni taking the calls.
Sunday January 6th - Hamish was back hosting The Maui Celtic Show on 'Sunday Solstice' on Mana'o Radio 91.5 FM, Wailuku, Maui. He had a special guest live in the studio, George Millar founder of the legendary Irish Rovers, and also the lovely Jennifer Fahrni. They had a great chat with George, playing his band's music, and solos from band members Sean O'Driscoll and Wilcil McDowell. They talked about some of George's musical influences, such as legendary Scottish folk duo Robin Hall & Jimmie MacGregor, and The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem, and played their music, as well as Liam Clancy's son Donal's new music. They played some of George's favourite singers, and Hamish threw a few surprises in there too. The craic was mighty in the Mana'o Radio studios that morning !
"Must say, the most enjoyable radio show I've been part of!" - George Millar.
Check out the band at www.irishroversmusic.com.
Hamish, Jennifer & George Millar of The Irish Rovers at Mana'o Radio
Tuesday January 1st - HAPPY HOGMANAY TO ALL OUR SCOTTISH FRIENDS ! ..... AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ONE AND ALL !!
Hogmanay is the name for New Year's Eve in Scotland, and is one of the biggest parties in the world. Originally it was a gathering at standing stones to drink to departed spirits, but became a large celebration around village or town market crosses, known as 'Nollaig Beag' (Little Christmas). In the 1500s, the Church tried tried to ban it, which made it move from the community into the home. Many Hogmanay traditions have gone, but one that continues to this day is First Footing. After midnight, the first person to cross your doorway should be a dark haired man carrying handsel, or gifts of food, whiskey, and a piece of coal (to signify the warmth of the hearth for the coming year). An old custom, carried on today as a New Year's Kiss, was for a male to kiss any female they met in the street. The famous anthem of midnight on New Year, the song 'Auld Lang Syne' (roughly 'old times past'), was written by legendary Scottish poet Robert Burns in 1788.
Mike Riedel, Roger McKinley and Hamish Burgess piping on Hogmanay
or
New Year's Eve, at Fleetwoods on Front St., Lahaina, Maui
photo by Kevin J. Olson © 2012
Hogmanay was well represented in West Maui with bagpipes at Fleetwood's on Front St., on the rooftop bar of Mick Fleetwood's (of Fleetwood Mac fame) restaurant. At sunset there was the nightly traditional Hawaiian blessing, oli (chant), and pu'u (conch-shell) blowing, then Maui Celtic's own Hamish Burgess with Roger McKinley and visiting piper Mike Riedel opened the evening with slow airs, then uptempo tunes on the Great Highland Bagpipes. A great set, with solos and all three pipes blasting out some tunes together.
The lads played again at 10pm to celebrate the West Coast New Year, jumping onstage with Eric Gilliom and his band to play 'Auld Lang Syne', with Eric leading the countdown and sing-along, and drumming legend himself, Mick Fleetwood keeping the beat for the pipers ! For a wee video of the end of that by Kevin J. Olson, please click here.
Pipers Mike Riedel, Roger McKinley and Hamish Burgess after 'Auld Lang Syne' with Mick Fleetwood and Eric Gilliom - New Year's Eve, on the roof at Fleetwoods on Front St.
photo by Jennifer Fahrni © 2012
The boys were at it again with the New Year anthem on the pipes at midnight Maui-time, lined up in front of the stage with Mick Fleetwood's Island Rumours band, for the countdown then 'Auld Lang Syne', and balloons and New Year craziness, West Maui Fleetwood's style. The craic was mighty in Lahaina town for the start of 2013 !