The program HOLE HOLE BUSHI: SUGARCANE “BLUES”* is provided by Kauaʻi Soto Zen Temple and will honor the legacy of Mrs. Shizuko Kato who worked in the canefields of McBryde Sugar Company for 47 years. “Songs from the Canefields: Verses that tell a story” is a 2015 program that has been updated & revised to include a singer in period costume from Soto Zen Ondo Dancers and a musician on the fue (traditional Japanese flute) from Taiko Kauaʻi. Historic video clips, photos and voice recordings will be shared. REFRESHMENTS will be served courtesy of the Friends of the Hanapēpē Public Library. More info: Hawaii State Public Library System | Hanapepe Public Library (librarieshawaii.org)
*Only in Hawaii. Only on the sugar plantations. Only sung by first generation women who worked in the canefields. What were they singing about? Why did they sing these songs? Some call it “painful songs”. Others call it the “Buddha head blues”. At Soto Zen, they call it the “sugar cane blues”. It’s part of Hawaii’s plantation heritage.
Post expires at 12:19am on Friday May 19th, 2023
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