How has Hawaiian music impacted my life? Well . . . it inspired me to return to Hawai'i!

I was born in Wailuku, graduated from Waipahu High and UH. I left Hawai'i in 1981 to join the Army because job opportunities for sociology majors were pretty limited. I still remember the time I left home to attend basic training in South Carolina. I was on an evening flight and as the airliner took flight, "Honolulu City Lights" by Keola & Kapono Beamer was piped over the public address system. I struggled to hold back tears as the lights of Honolulu passed below me. To this day whenever I hear "Honolulu City Lights," I think about that frightened young man leaving home for the very first time.

I left the Army in 1985, then spent six years living outside of Chicago (which is where my wife grew up), 12 years living in the San Francisco Bay Area, then three years living near Phoenix, Arizona. Even though I spent all those years on the mainland, I still considered Hawai'i my home.

I reconnected with Hawaiian music while living in Arizona when I purchased a copy of "Facing Future" by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. Listening to Braddah Iz's sweet voice transported me back to Hawai'i. A number of Hawaiian musicians performed in Phoenix (Willie K, Eric Gilliom, The Makaha Sons, Raiatea Helm and Hapa) and my wife and I attended all of the concerts. Thats my wife and I with Eric Gilliom and Willie K after their concert in Phoenix.

Listening to Hawaian music made me aware it was time come home. In December 2006, my wife and I moved to Maui and we haven't regretted it one bit. It's great to be home again.

Thank you for allowing me to share my story.

Charles N Wailuku

P.S. Before I sign off, I would be remiss if I forgot to mention Dana "Moon" Kahele. Moon is a wonderful slack key guitar musician who is spreading Aloha and Hawaiian music in Arizona. Please support Moon by visiting his website.

Mahalo!