Kihei Road
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Kihei Road
After 20 years as a full-time musician, Mondokane, aka Raymond Medeiros, is releasing his debut album, Kihei Road, this month.
The story behind his unique nickname is, “My name is Raymond, so my mom guys used to call me Mondo when I was young, and then there was a show called Mondo Cane, so all my father’s friends would call me Mondokane. The name stuck.”
The story behind the album goes back to 1997, when Mondokane took to the studio to record a demo album. It was a slow process with a lot of delays because of financing. However, 10 years later Mondokane has finally captured his unique sound and style on disc.
The album is described as a “tumbled blend of tropical, Latin, dance and soulful ballads, all with a garnish of country lyrical sensibility.” It has 10 tracks, including eight originals written by Mondokane.
“My songs are about relationships, and a couple are about the ‘aina (land) and the moon, but it all connects to love,” says the Baldwin High School grad. “On this album, I’m most proud about my originals and the top entertainers featured on my album including Fiji, Willie K and Maurice Bega.”
As a lounge musician, Mondokane’s current gigs are four days a week at the Sheraton Maui Resort and once a week at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa. He also works the occasional convention, wedding and birthday party to keep his schedule full.
“When I’m not doing music, I write, play with my dogs and hang out at the beach,” says the Kihei resident, whose favorite cover songs to perform are by artists Steve Perry, Christopher Cross and James Blunt.
For more information about Mondokane or his new album Kihei Road, visit www.myspace.com/mondokanemusic
Tuning In
Join C&K, Kalapana, Kapakahi and The Jimmy Hubbard Band as they take the stage at Pipeline Cafe Sunday, Oct. 28, from 5 to 10 p.m. for the Kanikapila Benefit for Autism. With 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting the Hawaii Autism Research Team (HART), good music isn’t the only thing that will have you dancing.
“HART is a nonprofit, all parents of children who have autism, and our mission is to provide education and support to kids and their families because there is a huge need for education in the community,” says Tina Chorman, HART member and event chairwoman. “I know that a lot of people don’t know that kids with autism are treatable. There are so many kids that we can turn around. However, we really don’t have the medical support.”
KCCN FM 100 will have a handful of radio personalities at the event, including Shannon Scott, Pipi, J Irie and Braddah Bryan. They’ll be on site giving away tons of prizes while guests enjoy pupus provided by Karen’s Kitchen and Pipeline Cafe.
“This is our very first fundraiser,” says Chorman. “Pipeline really made it very easy for us, being that none of us has much experience in planning. And luckily we had the contact to get the musicians.”
Tickets for the event are $24 pre-sale and $30 at the door. Pre-sale tickets are available at Karen’s Kitchen, the Pacific Autism Center or online at www.harthawaii.org
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