Rest In Peace Brudda Willie – one of the very first people I met on Maui thanks to Brudda Ed, Dec. 24, 1985. Ed, would become Willie’s manager for about 20 years. Even 35 years later, Ed was behind the scenes on this iconic Feb. 2, 2020 show.
Michele and I planned to meet up on Maui with brothers Ed and Wayne for our mid-semester breaks from Uni. She was a sophomore in Xavier Uni, New Orleans, and I was a Frosh in URI.
I took an extra week off, trying to convince Michele to do the same, after all what really gets done that first week of a new semester, right?
I arrived a few days before Michele, and Ed was the coolest Big Brother!!
I was sorta jet-lagged, but having traveled back in time more than 6 hours, it was at least 50 degrees warmer, still late afternoon, which meant the sun still had a couple more hours of life, and the party Ed brought me too was like no other.
I was 18, and I had never experienced a Hawai’i-kine chill session before. I would drop out of Uni” You R Hi! and hit the high seas out on Maui nine months later. Maybe there was more to those first weeks of a semester after all. Maybe I wasn’t ready for that type of education…yet. Furthermore, having made more money in eight shifts at The Chart House Restaurant, on Front Street, Lahaina, during that first Christ’s Birthday Eve visit than I would’ve in 2 months back home in the freezing beach hometown of Newport, RI, it was a no-brainer returning.
He and Willie were best friends long before this second returned. We all lived in the same apartment complex in Honokowai, affectionately called, Honokowai Slumrise.
We’ve come a long way.
It was always a treat when Willie, his larger-than-life family or friends would begin singing, talk-story or otherwise chillin’. A guitar, ‘ukulele, harmonizing voices were never far behind. Often we’d laugh and sing along long after a restaurant or bar had closed for these epic After Hours jam sessions that were unfortunately never recorded.
Then again, maybe that’s a good thing, making those moments that much more special. Those who were lucky enough to have been invited “backstage” have incredible memories like those mentioned in everyone of the eulogies, dedications and tributes; above and below.
After working we’d find him at 505 Front Street, where his nightly traveling gigs often ended, and bands often packed up and long gone, or they’d stick around for ensuing antics; his trademark, singing nearly all major voices of “We are the World”. I’m told there’s a recorded version but it presumably pales in the face of his rambunctious add-libbing rambles of the late 1980s and early ‘90s.
Or is that just nostaliga talking?
One of the most moving versions of controversial “Star-Bangled Banner – NOT your Jimi Hendrix version” – posted by Courtney Metzger / Hawaii Media Source 2018
He’d play “The Star-Spangled Banner” ala Jimi Hendrix’ 1969 Woodstock version, with his teeth, or hold the guitar upside down and backwards mimicking Hendrix’ lefty playing before left-handed axes were ever even made.
He’d sing falsetto Hawaiian classics and “Ave Maria” and in several other octaves his sped-up or localized versions of “Country Road” and “Sweet Home”. Some have called him a genius, musically gifted and perhaps plenty more less flattering terms, as he was human and far from perfect. It was simply magic knowing him, even if only tangentially. They say no major hurricanes have hit Maui in more than 30 years – I beg to differ.
I left the islands for a second time in June 1989, but would return several times over the next three decades. Whether back for a few weeks or a couple of months, any chance of seeing Big Brudda Willie at one of his weekly Hapa’s events or later at Mulligans in Wailea, was a must. Even better to catch him in less public events where he and several others were sure to break into free-jams that were full of his infectious laughter, storytelling and easy-going ways.
The last weeks of December 2004, nearly a dozen Carsons flew out to surprise my father for his 75th birthday, and Willie was there too. Three year prior, we’d helped my dad sell our homestead in freezing Freebody St., Newport, RI, and moved him closer to Ed, Wayne, Michele four nephews and nieces and sunnier days enjoying the best of Maui. Wayne and his growing family were renting a house owned by Willie, who was helpful in many ways most of us will never know. Of course he attended the Ohana Luau held during that 10-day family reunion birthday, noot stealing the thunder, very unassuming and gracious, big smiles and bigger hugs as we ate and partied into the night.
On December 31, 2004, we introduced my nephew, Shaun, to his talented family as we (Steve, Ed and I) rocked out at his house for annual New Year’s Eve Blowout near Baby Beach, Lahaina. Willie’s family and friends adopted Shaun just as they had me, 20 years before, giving him tons of fireworks and jamming for several hours, while kids of all ages set off fireworks in the spacious backyard buffeted by the crashing waves meters away.
Willie Kahaiali’i
Powerhouse of a talent.
Versatile and bombastic.
He loved to entertain.
Maui mourns.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYMybweR5fA
***In this above video, notice how his string breaks – 3:30 mins – later videos – he’s still playing without that string/keys
Fast forward, August 2018, and remembering cousin Bobby’s invitation for his 50th Birthday Campout Birthday gathering, I found myself back on Maui, for his, and three other brothers’ birthdays, Lehua’s and Kimberly’s. In fact, I’d just decided to remain on the island assistant-teaching Physical Science [whaaaaaaa?] at a local high school after a month of Family Reunioning. With growing families, we now have like 10 birthdays and anniversaries in September.
Thrilled to hear of upcoming ‘Ukulele Festival, where Michele, always eager to get Emily out and about, brought her to enjoyed some of it. Equally, eldest brother, Steve, was there looking to learn more about the craft of playing and buy his first ‘ukulele. We all enjoyed some great music from Kris Fuchigami, Arlie Asiu, Paula Fuga and the Hula Honeys, Kalama Intermediate Band, Seabury Hall Hawaiian Ensemble as emceed by the teacher and major ‘ukulele advocate, Roy Sakuma…and of course check out Brudda Willie!
Less than a year later, while visiting a friend, Noel Sanchez, at the Fairmount’s Polo Beach on St. Patty’s Day, 2019, brother Wayne and I learned Willie was headlining at Mulligan’s so we stopped in for a night of U2, Irish and Brogue ditties and some corned beef and cabbage.
Yet, seeing him close at the ‘Ukulele Festival 2018 with eldest brother Steve, six months earlier was another special treat.
Most recently I was blessed to have introduced him to my roommate, Ali Preciado, her second day on Maui. We had the pleasure of watching him play Feb 2, 2020, here at the MACC [Maui Arts & Cultural Center], Super Bowl Sunday, arriving at halftime in the middle of a long jam.
“You’re witnessing a living legend,” I called to Ali, as we made our way to a better vantage point. The MACC had it beautifully set up, half the audience was separated with a wide alley between stage seats and the nosebleeds. We took our time, though ushers and other fans were kindly edging us through the crowd.
All you wanted to do was stop and bask in it.
“He’s been battling throat cancer,” I explained to Ali. “His voice is so different, but still fantastic. He’s in remission, things are looking hopeful.”
Like Shaun 15 years before, Ali was mesmerized.
“He’s incredible.”
Any opportunity to sit or rather dance, laugh, sing along and scream his praises was often taken.
It was an extra special treat when the game was over, Willie, wearing a Tyreek Hill #10 Chiefs’ jersey, took the stage again: Stage Left. As the sun began setting behind the cloudy skies and the mountains to the right, Mahomes and company celebrated their comeback win 31-20 to the 49ers, on the Jumbotron above and center stage, we rocked out to Willie’s versions of Prince’s iconic “Purple Rain“, “Pride ‘n’ Joy” and Elvin Bishop’s “I Fooled Around and Fell in Love” among others for nearly another hour.
He was feeling well enough to do another set. But not share it with an over jealous fan wishing to join them on stage with his harmonica.
“I’ve earned this,” he called back at the fan. This was Willie’s time. It would be my last time seeing him in his element, weakened from chemotherapy and a life entertaining. Newcomers like Ali may have thought him rude.
“No, this is his time.” I said. “Over the years he’s called hundred to the stage, often sharing the limelight with others. He loves to jam. He’s a showman, the more the merrier. But he doesn’t have the energy. He’s been out for hours, and honestly this may be your only opportunity to see him.”
It was. A couple of weeks later his cancer had returned – it was terminal.
After that show I thought it might happen that I could say “Mahalo” and Ali could meet him, even just briefly. Ed, assisting Willie from off-stage, waved us off. Willie unaware yet of cancer’s return, and weaker perhaps from hours entertaining that day had taken its toll. We were the fortunate ones to have these and other experiences with Uncle Willie.
May 18, 2020, he died.
Mahalos Brudda Willie,
Love, laughs, hugs and Aloha! to his families from your other family from islands – continents far away ~
Be sure to scroll down. There’s a second video from another newscaster’s time with Willie K.
I’ll leave y’all with this display of his diversity – another tribute from Curtain Call Maui, and finally his Sept. 30, 2018, closing out Maui’s 13th Annual ‘Ukulele Festival with a Classical Aria…or is it?…and Bluegrass.
Curtain Call Maui – [44 mins] – Willie’s last post May 11, 2020
Shawn L. Carson – edited Feb. 25, 2022
Do Epic Shit 