Ep. 19.34 Billy on Ukulele Setup & Corey Kalei Duo

https://www.theukulelesite.com
So this week we decided to focus on the setup team and interview one of our luthiers, Billy Dominick. Also, Corey and Kalei play a few songs as they create the set for their Asian tour. They do a killer Beatles Medley that starts at 12:36.

Because I had brought up Mauna Kea I thought I would give some details for those not aware, and maybe interested. Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain in Hawaii and when measured at its ocean base, the tallest in the world. It has always been sacred to the Native Hawaiians and many cultural and religious practices are still performed there. What they are now protesting is plans to put in a Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) The glass is 30 meters in diameter making it 3 times as wide, 9 times larger than the largest existing visible-light telescope to date and 18 stories high. Talking about the better part of a football field for just the size of the telescope and a few acres of property to house it right at the top of sacred ground. Protestors are not against science. They just don’t want that humongous structure and all the activity it brings on a mountain that holds their cultural history.

I wanted to add a note here that Kalei sent me. He is part Hawaiian. His great grandfather was one of the designers of the Hawaiian flag actually, an immigrant from England that married a Hawaii princess. Anyway, Kalei said, “Thirst for knowledge is one thing but not at the cost of people's beliefs, culture, tradition. I feel a ton for the police force. They are probably hurting more than most people think. Also every single person that calls Hawaii their home. This issue seems to go far beyond being a native Hawaiian from the land.”

I agree that this issue should matter to all people here. Because the need is for respect to indigenous culture. As far as I can tell this disregard has gone on too long. Intergenerational trauma has boiled to the surface. The people are taking back their power. I feel like I should have either not brought it up or given it more time because it is important, so I wanted to add here. Humility and respect from me. Just wanted to share some thoughts. Aloha

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