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Review: Cantus' 'Queen's Songbook' concert delivers refreshing songs from Hawaii

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Review: Cantus' 'Queen's Songbook' concert delivers refreshing songs from Hawaii


Quick: Who was the emperor of the Austro-Hungarian empire while Beethoven was composing his masterpieces? Who ruled Germany while J.S. Bach was creating his?

If you don’t know, don’t worry. Most people don’t. But as history unfolds before our eyes, there seems an excessive emphasis upon governments and politics being the defining elements of an era, when the stuff that stands the test of time is more likely to be what our artists are creating.

I found myself reflecting upon this while attending vocal octet Cantus’ latest program, “The Queen’s Songbook,” which is devoted almost entirely to the music of a monarch. That would be Queen Lili’uokalani, the last queen of Hawaii, who ruled that archipelago kingdom from 1891 to 1893 before being deposed by American interests, the U.S. government eventually annexing the islands.

But unlike those members of European aristocracy who commissioned work from our now legendary composers, Queen Lili’uokalani was something of a D.I.Y. artist. Trained in the European musical tradition and the choral stylings of Christian churches, she was a composer from an early age who became history’s most important voice in committing the musical traditions of Hawaii to posterity, framing them in her own distinctive style.

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This week, Cantus is spending four nights in St. Paul and Minneapolis applying their harmonies to the creations of the queen. The brainchild of baritone and Oahu product Jeremy Wong, “The Queen’s Songbook” is a portrait of both a musical genre all its own and the life of a woman deeply in love with her land, as her lyrics invariably suggest. Both enlightening and as refreshing as the ocean breezes and floral fragrances her songs frequently celebrate, it’s a richly rewarding combination of history lesson, cultural immersion and sonic vacation.

Accompanied by pianist Tyler Ramos and wearing shirts emblazoned with flora and landscapes, the eight members of Cantus made some of their strongest impressions when dividing up into smaller groups. Such as when Jacob Christopher’s high tenor soared atop “Ku’u Ipo I Ka He’e Pu’e One” or the trio of Wong, Paul Scholtz and Samuel Bohlander-Green dug into the deep end of their registers on a canon-esque “‘Imi Au Ia ‘Oe E Ke Aloha.”

But the loveliest thing offered at Tuesday’s performance in Courtroom 317 of St. Paul’s Landmark Center was Justin Ka’upu’s hybrid of the queen’s most well-known composition, “Aloha ‘Oe,” and her reflection on a visit to England for “The Queen’s Jubilee.” Its final verse was delivered by the octet with such gentleness as to be breathtaking.

Toward evening’s end, the works focused upon the sad conclusion of the monarch’s life. Particularly powerful were a piece of wistful nostalgia from the imprisoned queen courtesy of Wong and bass Chris Foss; a very pretty version of “Ka Wai ‘Apo Lani” with splendid solos from Paul John Rudoi, Christopher and Scholtz; and an encore full of low descants that delivered listeners back to the breezy place at which the concert began.

Cantus

What: “The Queen’s Songbook,” featuring music by Queen Lili’oukolani

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When and where: 7:30 p.m. Wed., Museum of Russian Art, 5500 Stevens Av., Mpls.; 7:30 p.m. Thu., American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Av., Mpls.; 11 a.m. Fri., Westminster Hall, Nicollet Mall and Alice Rainville Place, Mpls.

Tickets: $5-$36, available at 612-435-0046 or cantussings.org

Note: Friday’s performance is available for streaming through July 29.

Rob Hubbard is a Twin Cities classical music writer. Reach him at wordhub@yahoo.com.

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Hawaii Island asks for the public’s assistance finding elderly woman, Jacquelyn Glenn

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Hawaii Island asks for the public’s assistance finding elderly woman, Jacquelyn Glenn


HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hawaii Island police are renewing their request for the public’s assistance in locating 82-year-old Jacquelyn Glenn of Kailua-Kona, who was reported missing by her family.

Police said she is considered endangered due to her age.

Glenn was last seen on Friday, Dec. 5, around 6:37 a.m., on the 75-200 block of Nani Kailua Dr. in Kailua-Kona.

She was wearing a peach-colored shirt, blue denim jeans, and black tennis shoes. She reportedly mentioned going to Hilo with friends, but did not say when she planned to return.

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She is described as 5′6″, 125 Ibs, with curly grey hair and brown eyes.

Police ask anyone with information on the whereabouts of Jacquelyn Glenn to call the Hawaii Police Department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311.



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Hawaii gets nearly $190 million for rural health care | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

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Hawaii gets nearly 0 million for rural health care | Honolulu Star-Advertiser




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Hawaiian announces $600 million airport, wide-body upgrades | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

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Hawaiian announces 0 million airport, wide-body upgrades | Honolulu Star-Advertiser


COURTESY HAWAIIAN AIRLINES

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Hawaiian Airlines today announced an investment of more than $600 million over five years to improve airport passenger areas across the state and interior upgrades to widebody aircraft.

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Hawaiian Airlines CEO Diana Birkett Rakow told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser ahead of today’s announcement at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport that other improvements will include better apps, a better website that will make it easier for passengers to change flights, among other things that also include better integration with Alaska Airlines, which acquired Hawaiian in 2024, making it a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group.

“We have pushed a lot of change through the system for the last couple of months,” Rakow said. “We’re working on integrating our ticketing systems because right now we’re on two separate ticketing systems that don’t talk to each other.”

After late April, she said, booking on the shared Alaska Air and Hawaiian Air ticketing system “will be much more seamless.”

In announcing the renovations and changes, Hawaiian pledged “a significantly smoother guest experience … once Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines share the same passenger service system and Hawaiian Airlines joins the oneworld alliance, both scheduled for late April.”

Right now, Rakow acknowledged, “unfortunately there is some friction.”

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“There’s been so many changes and all of that friction is really painful,” she said. “We are committed to making sure we are addressing the issues. … We are certainly not perfect, but we are committed to working together. … Really, after April, it is going to improve significantly.”

Each island airport also will see renovated lobbies and gates designed to increase comfort, provide better seating and amenities such as improved power charging.

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Daniel K. Inouye International also will get a new 10,600-square-foot lounge at the entrance of the Mauka Concourse in Terminal 1.

And starting in 2028, Hawaiian’s wide-body Airbus A330s will get new seats, carpets, lighting, business class suites, a Bluetooth-enabled in-flight entertainment system with high-definition screens and free Starlink Wi-Fi.

Gov. Josh Green said in a statement ahead of today’s announcement that, “Hawaiian Airlines’ investment is exactly the kind of long-term commitment Hawaiʻi needs. Modern, welcoming airports improve the experience for residents and visitors alike, strengthen our economy and keep Hawaiʻi competitive as a global destination. We appreciate Hawaiian Airlines’ partnership in advancing workforce development, regenerative tourism, clean energy, and community programs that reflect the values of our islands.”

The New Year began with a .75% increase in Hawaii’s Transient Accommodations Tax that will help the state fight climate change.

Rakow said that Hawaiian is working to better inform inbound passengers about how to respect Hawaii’s culture and environment.

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Hawaiian said it will continue to support “programs promoting regenerative tourism, culture and conservation.”

The airline also said it will fund grants to nonprofit organizations “promoting cultural programs, environmental preservation, and perpetuation of native Hawaiian art and language through the Alaska Airlines | Hawaiian Airlines Foundation.”




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