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# ‘Aloha Live!’ at SM Pier
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/aloha-live-at-sm-pier/
- Published: 2003-07-03T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T02:28:26.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Entertainment, Pier, #archive-import

*Hawaiian legend to play*

*By Daily Press staff*

Traditional Hawaiian sounds will collide with musical genres that include rock and country on the Santa Monica Pier this evening as Willie Kahaiali’i takes the stage in “Aloha Live!” — the second concert of the Twilight Dance Series.

Kahaiali’i, known as “Willie K,” will be joined by up-and-coming Hawaiian pop singer Amy Hanaiali’i Gillom, critically-acclaimed guitarist Makana and a team of hula dancers in a free performance scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.

Many believe Willie K has single-handedly shaped the future of contemporary Hawaiian music with his ability to play everything from Hawaiian to Hendrix, hard rock to soulful blues.

“He’s Gabby Pahinui, Andres Segovia and Eddie Van Halen rolled into one,” said a review in the Honolulu Weekly. “Willie can mimic seemingly any style, moving easily between screaming Stratocaster, Willie K grew up in a musical family and played in eight different high school bands before leaving Maui to launch his musical career in San Francisco.

Since then, he has released five albums and won multiple Na Hoku Hanohano Awards (considered the Hawaiian Grammys). He also started his own recording company, Round Island Records, before teaming up with Gilliom. He has produced three albums with Gilliom, earning two more Na Hoku Hanohano Awards for producer of the year.

Gilliom has won Album of the Year, Female Vocalist, Song of the Year, and Hawaiian Album of the Year awards since collaborating with Willie K. She is the granddaughter of Jennie Napua Wood, one of the original Royal Hawaiian Girls who defined America’s perception of Hawaiian music and dance at the peak of its popularity.

Gilliom and Willie K’s special guest in tonight’s performance, Makana, also has an illustrious resume complete with a “Best World Music Album” award at the 2000 Hawaii Music Awards. His first album, Makana, was voted “Best CD” by readers of Honolulu Weekly.

Makana is widely considered to be a master of the Hawaiian “slacked key” — the ability to simultaneously play rhythm and melody using intricate right hand techniques.

Because parking for tonight’s show will be limited, pier officials strongly recommend those who attend to walk, ride bikes or use mass transit to get to the concert.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 3, 2003.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/070303.pdf?ref=smdp.com)