Kahanolapua brothers

Bob Stone · From: Gainesville, FL, USA

Hi,

I'm working to finish the Sacred steel book manuscript by April 1 and wanted to post an inquiry about Jimmy and Jack Kahanolapua one more time. (I will also post in the HSGA Web site.)

I strongly suspect that Jack Kahanolapua taught Hawaiian steel guitar to Troman Eason (1905-1949), Sacred Steel pioneer Willie Eason's older brother, in the mid- to late- 1930s in Philadelphia, PA. Surviving members of the Eason family remember his teacher only as a Hawaiian named "Jack" whom Troman heard over the radio in Philly.

I have located the Kahanolapua family in Honolulu, including James (15) and Jack (13), in the 1920 Census records. However, I have found no other documentation of any kind on these two.

I am aware of the text about the K. brothers in Ruymar's book and Volk's book and interviewed Ralph Kolsiana, who took lessons from Jimmy K. Kolsiana was convinced that Jack was Troman's teacher, as Jimmy and Jack were the best Hawaiian musicians in the Philadelphia area at the time.

What I am looking for is:
1.) any personal recollections of Jimmy and/or Jack Kahanolapua.
2.) Any documentation: records, photos, flyers, etc.
3.) Leads to Kahanolapua family members who may offer some information on Jimmy or Jack.

I would be most grateful for any information, leads or ideas.

By the way, I'm using the spelling that I got from the Census records. Elsewhere the name has been spelled Kahanalopua. Any ideas on which might be "correct" are welcome.

Mahalo,

Bob

[This message was edited by Bob Stone on 20 January 2006 at 07:23 AM.]

[This message was edited by Bob Stone on 20 January 2006 at 07:48 AM.]

[This message was edited by Bob Stone on 20 January 2006 at 07:51 AM.]

Don Kona Woods · From: Hawaiian Kama'aina

Wish I could be of more help, but this deserves a bump up!

Good luck,
Don

Brad Bechtel · From: San Francisco, CA

Bob, I'll ask around in various places for you as well. Good luck!

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Brad's Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars

Bob Stone · From: Gainesville, FL, USA

Hi,

Thanks everyone. it has been suggested that I contact Dirk Vogel. Does anyone have contact info for him?

Thanks,

Bob

Don Kona Woods · From: Hawaiian Kama'aina

Bob,

Your information is in your e-mail.

Don

Warren Slavin · From: Southampton, PA, 18966. USA

Good Luck on your search -- The e-mail for Dirk Vogel is dvogel@usinternet.com

Warren

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basilh · From: United Kingdom

Bob, I have ascertained that information and photographs ARE available.. Full information to follow after I consult John Marsden and the Count Christian af Rosenborg archives..He was the Danish Cultural Attaché in California and an avid collector of Hawaiianna.

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Bob Stone · From: Gainesville, FL, USA

Hi,

Thanks guys. I will call and /or e-mail Dirk Vogel today.

Basil, I hope you are for real. Very exciting!

Thanks again,

Bob

Bob Stone · From: Gainesville, FL, USA

Hello Basil,

Any news on the Rosenborg documentation? I don't mean to be a pest, but I have to keep this book project moving to meet the deadline.

Thanks for your help.

Best,

Bob

Bob Stone · From: Gainesville, FL, USA

Bump!

Bill Creller · From: Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)

That last name is the same as the late Haleloki isn't it? That's the spelling I have for her last name.

Don Kona Woods · From: Hawaiian Kama'aina

Bob,
Why don't you e-mail Baz.

Bill almost the spelling but not quite. Haleloke's last name was Kahuaolapua

Aloha,
Don

[This message was edited by Don Kona Woods on 09 February 2006 at 12:17 AM.]

Bob Stone · From: Gainesville, FL, USA

Hi,

I spoke to John Marsden today. He does not have access to the Rosenborg collection of Hawaiiana. In fact, he has serious doubts that the heirs have it in safekeeping, or even have it at all. And Marsden had no knowledge of the Kahanolapua brothers except for what Ralph Kolsiana had told those who interviewed him. That's the way this sort of research goes sometimes. Just wanted to give y'all the latest.

Hats off to John Marsden. He's done a lot of great work.

Derrick Mau · From: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

Hi Don,

Wrong spelling. It's Kahauolopua.

Don Kona Woods · From: Hawaiian Kama'aina

You are so right Derrick.

I used to always get 100 in spelling. I can still spell but it is the old age not paying full attention.

Mahalo. Mistakes should be corrected.

Nice to hear from you again on the Forum. Have missed your posts.

Aloha,
Don

Bob Stone · From: Gainesville, FL, USA

At long last I have something to report on the Kahauolopua brothers. Please take note of the spelling. I am certain the spelling is correct, as there appears to be no Hawaiian surname Kahanolapua or Kahanalapua, etc.

Somehow Ralph Kolsiana, who took lessons from Jimmy K., was mistaken about Jimmy's surname. I have John Marsden and Derrick Mau to thank for putting me on the right track. Derrick Mau set us straight on the spelling of Haleoke Kahauolopua's surname and John Marsden noticed that Kahauolopua was the only surname similar to Kahanalopua that showed up in Hawaiian telephone directories. Much of the confusion is probably rooted in a handwritten, cursive "u" looking like an "n." All US Census records were written by hand.

I won't go into all the details here, but I finally obtained a copy of Jimmy K's application for a Social Security card on 1/10/38. His place of employment is listed as the Honolulu Conservatory of Music at 709 Chestnut Street in Philadelphia. Ralph Kolsiana had told me that was the name of Jimmy's teaching studio and that it was near Chinatown (and it was). Apparently he told Lorene Ruymar that it was the Royal Hawaiian Studio of Music, but I have the Social Security document that agrees with what Ralph told me. Jimmy was born in Honolulu in 1904 and died in 1975.

I still have no information on Jack Kahauolopua. I have talked to a member of the Kahauolopua family in Hawaii who had done a little of independent genealogy by talking to an older auntie, one of Jimmy and Jack's siblings. Her information on Jimmy and Jack's birthdays agreed with what I obtained from 1920 Census records. But she says nobody knows what happened to Jack K., who I suspect was sacred steel pioneer Troman Eason's teacher. And Jack doesn't show up on any public records after the 1920 Census--yet.

Maybe by posting this new bit of information on this Forum even more info on the Kahauolopua brothers might be forthcoming from the Hawaiian steel guitar community...

[This message was edited by Bob Stone on 18 April 2006 at 03:08 PM.]

[This message was edited by Bob Stone on 18 April 2006 at 03:11 PM.]

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