My love for Hawaiian began when I was a senior at Kalani high school in 1972. I was the only foreign student from India at Kalani back then. I was very keen to learn about the local culture.

One day, I had the pleasure to meet a gentleman by the name of, "Krash Kealoha," who was the program director back then at KCCN. My friend, Mike from school, was an apprentice of sort back then at this radio station. He wanted to be a DJ someday and the kind-hearted Krash took the trouble to teach my friend Mike the tricks of the trade during his spare time. I was so amazed by the way Krash had taken my friend Mike under his wings. I went with Mike to the station a few times to see what it was like to work inside a live radio station. It was such a treat for a young person, especially someone from a far away land. I was so touched by the commitment which Krash Kealoha had toward his work and especially Hawaiian music. You could feel the love and the passion this man had for the Hawaiian culture. I was hooked suddenly.

My friend Mike was worked at the station on part time basis and used to fill in for the regular DJ's during their off days. So whenever I got the chance, I would go with him to the station and in between the air time, I would go through the music library and read the album covers. I gave myself an amazing education about Hawaiian music that way. It was also the time when Peter Moon and the Sunday Manoa had become famous with Guava Jam and Cracked Seed. Around the same time Gabby was finally being recognized for the true genius he possessed. The Brown album had just come out. It was the perfect time to be in Hawaii during the beginning of this "revival period" of sorts. I was so happy and proud to become part of this wave. After high school, I went on to UH for the next two years. During this period, I never missed the opportunity to attend every Hawaiian music concert they had there. Starting with the first Kankapali at UH, where I got to see Peter Moon, Robert, Roland, and Gabby perform. By that time, I knew ever cord, and every lyric of every song these guys had ever recorded. Imagine that! Not bad for a foreigner, eh!

Well, I left Hawaii in 1974. This past month, I brought my wife and the kids, with me to the Islands for a short holiday. 31 years later. We now live in a place called Dubai, UAE. On our return back home, we bought a CD of Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. I never heard of him before this trip. I have not stopped listening to it. What a fool I have been to miss out on so much.

Thank god, for the internet, now I am tuned on 105 KINE every waking moment of the day. Just can't get enough of being back again. Not bad for a foreigner, huh!

Aloha from Dubai, UAE
Chandru M.