Uncle Ron Kanahele for Lifetime Achievement Award

Kay Das · Post by **Kay Das** » 22 Feb 2011 3:51 pm

I am pleased to announce that my nomination for Uncle Ron Kanahele to receive the Hawaii Music Awards "LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD" has been accepted. HMA will acknowledge three recipients for 2011's Nominees and Winners Celebration Banquet on Monday, April 11th, Monday. The criteria for this award is ten years or more of contribution to the Hawaii music community.

Please join me in congratulating Uncle Ronald on the acceptance of the nomination. I have offered to co-ordinate all support. Just yet I do not know the details of the support needed, but I will subsequently be in touch over the forum or individually. HMA will make a three minute DVD on him and his music.

Kay

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 22 Feb 2011 4:58 pm

Very nice, Kay, thank you for the effort. I hope he gets the nod.

seldomfed · Post by **seldomfed** » 24 Feb 2011 10:09 am

Kay, good work!
Thanks for doing this. I was lucky to see him and get a chance to jam a bit last July in Winchester Indiana. He's got a great style and is a real showman.

chris

Norman Markowitz · Post by **Norman Markowitz** » 24 Feb 2011 12:20 pm

That is great news. Uncle Ronald has devoted his whole life to his music. What a fitting nomination.

Andy Barlo · Post by **Andy Barlo** » 24 Feb 2011 1:32 pm

Anything I can do to help, don't hesitate to ask. Mahalo, Kay.

Kay Das · Post by **Kay Das** » 27 Feb 2011 10:33 pm

I am gathering anecdotes on Uncle Ron. If anyone has something to share: his music, any anecdote, a conversation, a quote.....

I would appreciate any help in this regard...post it here or, preferably, e-mail me; I will synthesize and send to HMA ( that way it can be kept a surprise until the 11 April ceremony).

Mahalo,

Kay

Kay Das · Post by **Kay Das** » 2 Mar 2011 6:52 pm

Thanks to Andy for the inputs received by e-mail.

I heard from Lanet Abrigo today that Uncle Ronald was taken ill again (he had returned home) and was taken back to hospital in Wahiawa. I also just spoke with him. He is in good spirits, but is a little weak from the mediaction and feels very tired.

He is in good hands with Lanet and her son (who were awake all night) and his immediate family. Your wishes for him will keep his spirits high. If you choose to reply here I could then relay them to him.

Kay

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 3 Mar 2011 12:09 pm

Lot's of love to Ron, he's the best!

Bill Creller · Post by **Bill Creller** » 3 Mar 2011 3:24 pm

Unfortunately I've not met him. And his condition is quite serious from what Derrick Mau tells me. Really sad situation. He seems to be very close to the Abrigo family.

Norman Markowitz · Post by **Norman Markowitz** » 3 Mar 2011 8:33 pm

Uncle Ronald and his student Timi Abrigo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRbjPBFMUe0

Kay Das · Post by **Kay Das** » 4 Mar 2011 12:54 am

Does anyone have video footage of Uncle Ronald himself playing steel guitar ?

Kay

Andy Barlo · Post by **Andy Barlo** » 4 Mar 2011 3:07 am

Dave Kolarz took some videos last year at Winchester. You can contact him at dkolarz@comcast.net.

Kay Das · Post by **Kay Das** » 4 Mar 2011 6:11 pm

Andy,

Could you please check Dave Kolar's address above? My e-mail bounced.

Kay

Ron Simpson · Post by **Ron Simpson** » 4 Mar 2011 8:32 pm

Aloha Kay

It is dkolars instead of dkolarz

I have some videos of him from Winchester 2010. I can send DVD's to you. The files are too large to email.

Dana Blodgett · Post by **Dana Blodgett** » 6 Mar 2011 12:45 pm

Kay, I've never met Ron but I am a fan as I've seen a few videos of him on youtube. He's a very good player and has a unique style (He attacked the guitar and was quite a Showman). He reminds me of the older players from Hawaii.He is someone that should not be forgotten! Please send my regards and hope he gets well soon.

Kay Das · Post by **Kay Das** » 7 Mar 2011 6:37 pm

The latest about Uncle Ronald from a friend who is working with me on the video presentation for HMA...

"I was going to try and get some acceptance words from him on film this weekend....but it just didn't happen. I spent Friday night with him in the hospital , then I went to see him at Lanet's house last night. He is at her house with hospice care coming in every now and then. Last night he was in and out of clarity (I'd say consciousness but that's not the right word either)....he is on alot of medication."

I have passed on your good wishes...

Kay

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 7 Mar 2011 6:45 pm

I'm sorry to read about his deteriorating condition. You did a good thing while he is still with us, I hope he is not in too much pain.

Kay Das · Post by **Kay Das** » 8 Mar 2011 8:27 pm

It has been decided that Uncle Ron Kanahele will be presented with the award tomorrow Wednesday because he may not make it till the end of the week. They want him to know he got the Lifetime Award. They will be picking up a temporary trophy and taking a photo of him with it.

There will still be a presentation at the HMA dinner on the 11th of April.

Kay

Denny Turner · Post by **Denny Turner** » 9 Mar 2011 2:07 am

THANK YOU, Kay.

What a freakin' trip. Earlier today was the first time I've been here (SGF) for awhile and the first I heard of Uncle Ron's illness. The last I saw him was about 6 weeks ago at a small impromptu kanikapila (informal jam session) at Ala Moana Center; He looked & sounded great, strong and his usual chipper self. I had drifted off into lah-lah land listening to the music eyes closed, leaning against a light pole back in the shadows; Playing uke he "crept" up about 6" from my ear and yelled my name at the top of his lungs; Scared the bajeezus out of me ....which of course tickled him pink; Uncle Ron; I've not had the chance to pay him back yet.

Anyone who knows Uncle Ron as a Friend can't help but love him dearly. He is a real Hawaiian Treasure in more ways than I can count or even know. He could not possibly be in better Hands, Care, Love, Aloha and Environment than with Tim, Lanet, Timi, Emily and Quinn, the Abrigo Ohana ....which Uncle Ron has been an inseparable part of and Kukui (Mentor) for some time now. Uncle Ron and the Abrigo family are the real deal .... no ka oi (none better). I humbly ask for your prayers for Uncle Ron and the Abrigo family, however you might petition the Cosmos.

There are a number of "home" videos of Uncle Ron on you tube HERE .

Now I'm gonna walk down to the beach, light a bonfire, and get plastered.........

Derrick Mau · Post by **Derrick Mau** » 9 Mar 2011 11:02 am

It is with great regret to report that Uncle Ron had pasted away at 8:20 this morning.

He will be sorely missed.

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 9 Mar 2011 11:15 am

I'll always remember that great smile and laugh of his when he was really happy, those in the mainland got a lucky taste of that last year. He was too nice and young to go this soon, but he did what he could to pass on his knowledge of Rogers family steel. Thru his efforts the tradition continues the legacy.

Andy Barlo · Post by **Andy Barlo** » 9 Mar 2011 1:43 pm

This is really sad news indeed. I feel that we were truly blessed to have Uncle Ron perform at the Aloha International Steel Guitar Club convention last year. He truly brightened the hearts of everyone present and he will certainly be missed. From all of us on the mainland let me express our deepest synpathy to the Rogers/Abrigo family. Andy

Ron Simpson · Post by **Ron Simpson** » 9 Mar 2011 1:44 pm

Norman Markowitz · Post by **Norman Markowitz** » 9 Mar 2011 2:33 pm

I too, am very sorry to hear this. I spoke with Lanet last night to see how he was doing. At that time he was stable.

Uncle Ronald meant a lot to me and Denise. I will carry a lot of personal images of him and will hold him in my heart forever. This is a very sad day for me.

The only thing I can add is that knowing Uncle Ronald, and seeing the spirit of aloha the man had, and how he was able to give to others that same spirit, and make them better off by knowing him, was truly remarkable.

Such a great loss for all that knew him. My heart goes out to his family and also to the Abrigo 'Ohana, who meant so much to him.

Derrick, I know how much he meant to you and my thoughts and best wishes are with you, also.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 9 Mar 2011 3:10 pm

Someone, please post a fitting tribute to him in Gone Home.

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Uncle Ron Kanahele for Lifetime Achievement Award

Uncle Ron Kanahele for Lifetime Achievement Award

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