Saturday Briefing

By Bill Comstock -

On Tuesday, March 18, the Outrigger Reef on the Beach officially opened the newest hot spot for fun, food, and celebration — Kani Ka Pila Grille. Located poolside at the newly-renovated Outrigger Reef on the Beach, this casual restaurant serves lunch, dinner, and tropical drinks daily. As is customary, a traditional Hawaiian blessing was held to acknowledge the Kani Ka Pila Grille and to welcome its staff to the Outrigger ‘ohana.

Over the past month, Ka‘ipo Ho, Outrigger’s Manager of Cultural Experiences, has developed a special bond with the restaurant staff during the training period, so it was right, or pono, that he be the one to preside over the blessing

The crowd attending the blessing included many of the people who had made the new Kani Ka Pila Grille possible. The ceremonies began with my thanking the numerous individuals, departments, and companies who were involved in the design, planning, and build-out of the restaurant. Outrigger’s President & CEO David Carey spoke next of his vision to provide a new outlet for food and music in Waikiki. Ka‘ipo then welcomed and commented on the significance of the area that surrounds the Outrigger Reef, known as Kawehewehe.

Islanders have always viewed Waikiki as, not only a place of hospitality, but also a place of healing. As Ka‘ipo shared, the area has great mana, or spiritual power. When the land was still in its natural state, there was a pond about a hundred yards inland of the Outrigger Reef that was connected to the ocean by a muliwai, or stream, which ran under the present day Saratoga Road.

In ancient times, people with a spiritual or physical ailment would come to the pond in search of healing. A kahuna, or priest, would place a lei limu kala around their neck and instruct them to submerge themselves in the healing waters of the pond. When the lei came off and floated downstream, it was said that the afflicted ones were healed. It was for this particular ceremony that the area was called Kawehewehe, which literally means “the removal.”

While the ancient ponds of Waikiki and Kalia are no longer, Ka‘ipo reminded the Kani Ka Pila staff that the sentiment of Kawehewehe remains even today. As hosts, we welcome and extend hospitality and Aloha to all of our guests, which itself is a healing experience and one that can rejuvenate our spirit.

Ka‘ipo then began the ceremony with several oli, or chants. A particularly moving moment was when the entire Kani Ka Pila staff joined Ka‘ipo in performing the oli E Hō Mai, a popular chant that asks our ancestors to grant us wisdom, knowledge, and vision. The maile lei was then untied with David Carey, Vice President Kimberly Agas, and Restaurant Manager Robert Bauer joining me in this very special moment.

Following the blessing, invited guests entered Kani Ka Pila to enjoy a festive evening, with music provided by slack key artist, Cyril Pahinui, who was joined by Peter Moon Jr.

In the weeks leading up to the opening of Kani Ka Pila, a buzz already was being generated among the island community. The reason — the top-notch live entertainment by some of Hawaii’s greatest island musicians that was being booked for the restaurant. In Hawaiian, Kani Ka Pila means “let’s make music,” and with the weekly lineup of the best of Hawaii’s musical greats, Kani Ka Pila Grill is certainly living up to its name. The restaurant’s combination of food, libation, and real local music by artists of exceptional caliber is akin to a match made in Hawaiian Slack Key heaven. Judge for yourself; here’s our weekly line-up!

Wednesday: Kani Ka Pila features Cyril Pahinui, one of Hawaii’s most legendary slack key artists, and a recipient of the prestigious Grammy Award.

Thursday: Kawika Kahiapo and Martin Pahinui team up to share their extensive musical gifts. Kahiapo is a multi-award winning artist of incredible skill; Pahinui, a talented vocalist, is the son of the late, great Gabby Pahinui.

Friday: Kaukahi - This accomplished and award-winning foursome are know for their Hawaiian sounds encompcassing four-part male harmonies.

Saturday: Mānoa DNA - This multi-generational musical family rapidly gained an international following for their upbeat, energetic, and multi-faceted performances.

Sunday: Mountain Apple Company, producer and marketer of the best-selling Hawaiian music in the history of the islands, showcases one of its outstanding artists. Brother Noland will be the featured artist every Sunday through April 15.

Monday: Kimo and Kamuela Kahoano present the “Pau Hana Monday” talent search, as they host the islands’ best up-and-coming new artists.

Tuesday: Weldon Kekauoha, Oahu’s talented and award-winning Hawaiian musician, shares his amazing repertoire of rich, contemporary island melodies.

Hawaii has deep musical roots, and Outrigger has long supported the perpetuation and sharing of our artistic heritage. In many Hawaiian homes and at family parties, it’s not unusual for someone to pick up a ukulele or guitar and begin playing, and maybe someone else will get up and start dancing a hula. That’s the spirit we are evoking at Kani Ka Pila.”

I hope everyone in the Outrigger ‘ohana will find time to bring family and friends to enjoy Kani Ka Pila Grille. The restaurant is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., with live entertainment nightly from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Validated valet parking is available at $6 for up to four hours with any same day purchase at Kani Ka Pila Grille. For more information, call the restaurant at 808-924-4992.