Anthology celebrates music, writing

“We Go Jam: Celebrating Our Music, Our Soundscape, Our Hawai‘i,” published by the Hawai‘i Council for the Humanities (HCH), is an anthology of articles, short stories, oral histories, memoir and poetry that illustrates how Hawaii’s musical traditions have shaped and continue to shape who islanders are, collectively and individually.

Edited by veteran journalist Susan Yim, the collection celebrates the music of Hawaii through the “voices” of many of the islands’ leading writers and musicians. “We Go Jam” takes readers on a musical journey that begins in the days of old Hawaii, proceeds through the cultural impact of each wave of plantation workers, the World War II era, statehood, the Hawaiian Cultural Renaissance and a new generation of musicians influenced by American pop culture and more.

“We were known as the Kelekolio Orchestra. We entertained at all those hotels in Kailua. Of course, the number one hotel back in those days was the Kona Inn. That’s where we would go to perform our show,” reminisces Martina Kekuewa Fuentevilla of Honaunau, Kona.

“We go jam!” When one musician says that to another, it is a spontaneous invitation to gather together in someone’s backyard under the shade of a mango tree with ukulele and guitar for a jam session of music making, merriment and good times.

This book celebrates the music of Hawaii through the voices of many of the islands’ leading writers and musicians, including Big Island natives Jonathan Osorio and Fuentevilla.

If you would like a copy, please contactGraceLoatglo@hihumanities.org. Visit www.hihumanities.org.