Hawaii's Indigenous Instrument - Undermined By Jumping Flea

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 1 Mar 2014 11:14 am

That's 2 of us, Don, let's see how many here at least do the same, if not say the same.
Saving the steel's respectful position is certainly doable simply with our little chorus of voices alone.

Don Kona Woods · Post by **Don Kona Woods** » 2 Mar 2014 12:07 am

There is a Hawaiian T V Station that is now taking a poll on which instrument should be the official instrument of Hawaii:

http://www.kitv.com/news/hawaii/poll-uk ... t/24477262

You can write in "steel guitar" in the "other" box and help the cause for the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Family (Ohana),

I believe the Steel Guitar is now neck and neck with the ukulele.

Come on and help the cause, Forum members.

George Piburn · Post by **George Piburn** » 2 Mar 2014 6:19 am

GeorgeBoards just Voted - as Don Kona Woods Suggested.

Very Quick and simple to click other and type in Steel Guitar.

Hope this helps a good cause.

William Rosen · Post by **William Rosen** » 2 Mar 2014 12:55 pm

Likewise.

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 2 Mar 2014 2:45 pm

No doubt the steel thanx you for your support, gentlemen.
The KITV vote is possibly mute depending on timing of the Bill's hearing vs the poll results having an effect but it can't hurt if only to educate the public should steel take the poll.
On the higher end I received this reply from one of the legislators who will be speaking to her fellow leg's on the steel's behalf;

Mahalo for writing. I will encourage my colleagues to defer this bill.

Representative Nicole Lowen
District 6--Kailua-Kona, Holualoa
replowen@capitol.hawaii.gov
office: (808) 586-8400
cell: (808) 937-8196
415 S. Beretania St. Room 328
Honolulu, HI 96813

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 2 Mar 2014 2:53 pm

Don Kona Woods wrote:You can write in "steel guitar" in the "other" box and help the cause for the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Family (Ohana),

I believe the Steel Guitar is now neck and neck with the ukulele.

OK, who voted 'undecided'?

Gotta think the sudden boost into a near tie is due to us!

Don Kona Woods · Post by **Don Kona Woods** » 2 Mar 2014 10:35 pm

Some of you are coming through and it is making a difference in the polling.

The Hawaiian Steel Guitar write in is now at 38% compared to 36% for the ukulele.

For those of you who have not vote: Could you help the Hawaiian Steel Guitar by going to the following website and voting.

http://www.kitv.com/news/hawaii/poll-uk ... t/24477262

You can write in "steel guitar" in the "other" box and help the cause for the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Family (Ohana),

If you are more motivated you could contact the State Legislators and let them hear from you.

They can be reached here:

http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/members/l ... ?chamber=H

Mahalo nui - Thank you much.

Wally Pfeifer · Post by **Wally Pfeifer** » 3 Mar 2014 8:06 am

I just voted. We need everyone on the SGF to vote. I think we might have enough fans to do it.
Click on the KITV website address as shown above and
vote. It's very simple.

Ron Simpson · Post by **Ron Simpson** » 3 Mar 2014 9:02 am

+1 for steel. Is this Chicago style voting?

Don Kona Woods · Post by **Don Kona Woods** » 3 Mar 2014 9:10 am

Contacting the T V poll is great, but contacting the Hawaii legislators is greater.

Do the greater thing! OK?

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 3 Mar 2014 12:15 pm

I just came from the Capital and learned that at least as far back as 1990 there is no 'big book' record stating what the State instrument is, and so far nobody could confirm or deny there is even an expiration date for such State entities or give any explanation why there's no mention. I'll be back there after lunch to get further frustrations and maybe even an answer from, my next stop, personnel in the basement...
We're up by 9 points re KITV's survey and I'll be stopping by to maybe confer with Ms. Cruz about why no mention of steel in her story/survey and could they make a big deal about it on air when steel wins, maybe even have a steeler playing on air so people actually know what a steel guitar is and why it's important.
But...
Do the greater thing, contact the legislators en mass today.

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 3 Mar 2014 5:08 pm

I barely survived another episode of Hawaii State Capital Twilight Zone, at least Pt. 1.
Not surprisingly, nobody (so far) in the entire State Capital has any record of the steel guitar having been the State Instrument of Hawaii. All the work of hundreds of top musicians and even more supporters went for a temporary, at best, legislative passage of a now long forgotten and seemingly never-been bill.

Don, anybody, is there any record or mention of the efforts so many made to get the Bill passed in the 80s, and what the Bill's title/# was?

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 3 Mar 2014 6:19 pm

And now we're down by 1, ukeheads must have gotten wind of the steel push and the trivial battle is on!

Don Kona Woods · Post by **Don Kona Woods** » 3 Mar 2014 8:31 pm

I just came from the Capital and learned that at least as far back as 1990 there is no 'big book' record stating what the State instrument is, and so far nobody could confirm or deny there is even an expiration date for such State entities or give any explanation why there's no mention. I'll be back there after lunch to get further frustrations and maybe even an answer from, my next stop, personnel in the basement...
We're up by 9 points re KITV's survey and I'll be stopping by to maybe confer with Ms. Cruz about why no mention of steel in her story/survey and could they make a big deal about it on air when steel wins, maybe even have a steeler playing on air so people actually know what a steel guitar is and why it's important.
But...
Do the greater thing, contact the legislators en mass today.

Ron, you are doing a good work. Keep up the good work.

Hopefully there are some Kanaka Maoli's, Kama'ainas and even Malahinis to help out in this noble mission. Geev em, Brah.

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 4 Mar 2014 11:12 am

You started this fight for right, Don, even if it doesn't works out you get the jeweled crown of commendation. I'm just spinning my wheels trying to get answers having forgotten about the subject at hand after NPR mentioned it last week.

And, we're now up 51 points in the KITV poll, don't stop kicking uke ass!
Here's Lorene's reply to my email yesterday that shows where those new votes can be attributed, yet she also adds to the Twilight Zone episode I'm in with her statement of never hearing of a Bill passing towards making the steel Hawaii's State instrument. Perplexing, to say the least.

I'm glad you're chasing after it, Ron. We got the word yesterday and have been sending emails like crazy but we never had the correct info about HOW to talk to the legislators, especially if we're from other countries. No, I have never heard of a Bill being passed to declare the steel guitar the state instrument. I have heard that it is the only instrument of modern music invented in the USA, and Hawai'i wasn't even a state at that time. I expect you DO know how to get a message to the state legislators...???? I think we have to jump on it FAST because they've already passed it TWICE in a short time. The latest info I got is: go to http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov Go there, register. Left side under Bill Status, type HB 2573 HD1
Thanks for picking up the battle. Now I KNOW we'll win. Teee Heeee!~
from Lorene and Art

Don Kona Woods · Post by **Don Kona Woods** » 4 Mar 2014 1:46 pm

Some of our brothers (braddahs) in Hawaii are now beginning to pick up the fight.

We are not going down without a fight.

We could compromise, to show the "aloha spirit" and suggest that both the indigenous Hawaiian Steel Guitar and the indigenous Portuguese ukulele be considered the Hawaii State instruments.

Aloha,
Don

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 4 Mar 2014 2:40 pm

Don Kona Woods wrote:Some of our brothers (braddahs) in Hawaii are now beginning to pick up the fight.

We could compromise, to show the "aloha spirit" and suggest that both the indigenous Hawaiian Steel and ukulele be considered the Hawaii State instruments.

Clue us in!

There are other symbol unions already so this could be a fallback, but I'd rather pick the ukers up out of the dirt and dust them off with a nice Aloha pat on the back and let them try again.

BTW, the station doing the poll is not radio but a main local TV station with way more audience.

Don Kona Woods · Post by **Don Kona Woods** » 4 Mar 2014 8:22 pm

This was another response to the emailing campaign.

Representative Cynthia Thielen responded by saying:

"Thanks. Just switched from with reservations to No."

One example for you, Ron = A prominent Hawaiian Steel Guitar professional who is the son of an ex-U.S Senator has written a beautifully crafted and compelling communication to prominent legislators to support the Hawaiian Steel Guitar.

Others to come.

Aloha for the Cause!

Nick Powers · Post by **Nick Powers** » 4 Mar 2014 11:14 pm

just voted.
twice.

Norman Markowitz · Post by **Norman Markowitz** » 5 Mar 2014 4:38 am

Vote early....and vote often!

Don Kona Woods · Post by **Don Kona Woods** » 5 Mar 2014 9:33 am

The Latest KITV poll:

Hawaiian Steel Guitar (write in) 40 percent

Portuguese Ukulele 38 percent

Continue to vote as possible. Let your voice be heard.
http://www.kitv.com/news/hawaii/poll-uk ... t/24477262

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 5 Mar 2014 12:47 pm

Don Kona Woods wrote:A prominent Hawaiian Steel Guitar professional who is the son of an ex-U.S Senator

Gee, there are so many...
I'll wish the stealth steelers well. But numbers speak louder than lone voices in the wind.
hpr.org noted political support for the steel coming from Maui via Sen. Malama Solomon and others, also heard was one poli in favor of the uke whining that nobody voiced opposition to the Bill at earlier meetings

like it's so common for Big Building business to be well known prior to junk laws passing. Uke got the jump on us, now it's catch up and leave'm in the dust time, plus a golden opportunity to promote the steel in the media. This whole episode could turn out to be a good thing.
Survey currently at 511 for other vs 480 solid for uke.
'Other' of course could include pahu/drum, nose flute, and more, so it's not all steel guitar being represented there. Pump it!

Bill Creller · Post by **Bill Creller** » 5 Mar 2014 10:19 pm

I just voted in the "other" for steel. Current numbers: uke 37, other 40.

If all those uke players get in the act, they will overcome any steel vote, since uke players are a dime a dozen.

Don Kona Woods · Post by **Don Kona Woods** » 5 Mar 2014 10:25 pm

If all those uke players get in the act, they will overcome any steel vote, since uke players are a dime a dozen

Bill, since the uke players are a dime a dozen, they may not have strong feelings like Hawaiian Steel Guitar players.

Bill Creller · Post by **Bill Creller** » 5 Mar 2014 10:32 pm

Yeah, that's also possible too Don

The Steel Guitar Forum

Hawaii's Indigenous Instrument - Undermined By Jumping Flea

I voted !