Pirate Jim's Kanikapila - June 28, 2016

Aloha kakou,

Hello everyone! Pehea'oe? How are you? How was your first weekend of summer? I had a fabulous time out near the town of Cochrane playing paintball with my son and a few of his friends. I've been going to the same paintball field since I was sixteen and it is very cool to see how the sport has grown. It is also fantastic to share this hobby with my son. We got to nurture our relationship while shooting paintballs at each other. What a perfect segue to the Hawaiian Word of the Week! 

The Hawaiian Word of the Week is ka malama. This means to keep, save, nurture or to take care of. This past Sunday I got to malama my relationship with my oldest son. You may notice many people in Hawaii using this word when saying good bye. Malama pono! Malama ko aloha!

Tonight we will gather in the SE portion of the city at the house of Musslewhite!

What: Pirate Jim's Kanikapila

When: Tuesday May 17, 2016 - 7:30-9:00pm

Where:  263 Douglasbank Mews SE

How Much: $50 for a yearly membership, $5 drop in for non-members

Why: Because we can and we should!

Pirate Jim's Kanikapila - June 21, 2016

Aloha Kakou! 

It's June 21! We made it to summer! Woot! Woot! School is almost done for the year, the days are the longest they will be all year, it's warm and the CFL season officially starts this week! Now all we need is our ukuleles and we can sing till the sun don't shine no more! We also found our new ukulele shack and we start moving this coming weekend.

Singing is my favourite thing to do in life. I sometimes even get paid money to do it! What? Really? Get outta here! Yup! I can also do it in Hawaiian! The Hawaiian word for sing is hīmeni. Add a ka in front (which means "to"), and you have ka hīmeni. Aloha e hīmeni!

This week we are back at the old shack for the very last time! 

When: Tuesday June 21, 2016 - 7:30-9:00pm

Where: 87 Tuscany Springs Way NW

How Much: $50 for a yearly membership. $5 drop in for non-members

Why: Because we can and we should!

Go Stamps Go! 

Pirate Jim's Kanikapila - June 14, 2016

Aloha Kākou, 

Pehea'oe? How are you? Another week has passed and it is time once again to strum the night away at my weekly kanikapila. We are busy packing up the old ukulele shack so this week we'll be at Lister House in Scenic Acres.

The Hawaiian word of the week is ke kauwela which means (the) summer. This is the last kanikapila for spring 2016. Next week it will officially be ke kauwela. Woot! Woot!

 What: Pirate Jim's Kanikapila

When: Tuesday June 14, 2016 - 7:30-9:00pm

Where: 355 Schubert Place NW

How Much: $50 for a yearly membership, $5 drop in for non-members

Why: Because we can and we should!

Pirate Jim's Kanikapila - June 7, 2016

Aloha kākou 

Pehea'oe?  Maika'i no! How are you? Very Good! Good news! The old ukulele shack has officially been sold! Woot! Woot! So tonight will officially be the 2nd last gathering at the old shack. I will miss this place, but I look forward to the new adventure ahead of me.

My mother in law and her two sisters are going to England for the first time today, so I felt like choosing a travel word this week. The Hawaiian word of the week is Mokulele. The Hawaiian word for airplane. Enjoy the mokulele ride today ladies!

This weeks jam will be back at the shack!

When: Tuesday June 7, 2016 - 7:30-9:00pm

Where: 87 Tuscany Springs Way NW

How Much: $50 for a yearly membership. $5 drop in for non-members

Why: Because we can and we should! 

Pirate Jim's Kanikapila - May 31, 2016

Aloha kākou, 

Pehea'oe? How are you? I cannot believe that it is already the last day of May. Summer holidays are only a month away and boy are my kids getting excited. Along with the holidays we'll moving the shack... The old shack is conditionally sold! Woot Woot! I'm looking forward to finding that new place to hang my ukuleles on the tree. 

The Hawaiian word of the week is Kupulau. Kupulau means spring. If you want to say "the spring" you would add a ke in front of the word. So let's offically welcome ke kupulau with some fun `ukulele strumming tonight. E komo mai ke kupulau!

This weeks jam will be back at the shack!

When: Tuesday May 31, 2016 - 7:30-9:00pm

Where: 87 Tuscany Springs Way NW

How Much: $50 for a yearly membership. $5 drop in for non-members

Why: Because we can and we should! 

Pirate Jim's Kanikapila - May 24, 2016

Aloha kākou! 

I hope you all enjoyed your long weekend. This weekend I ran a half marathon with my mom up in Red Deer. It was pouring rain and we got extremely wet. It felt like Hilo, but with a very cold wind. Hahaha! I am happy to report I beat my personal record by 15 mins. Woot woot! 

My Hawaiian word of the week is Naupaka. Naupaka is a native shrub most often found in the mountains and near the shoreline. Naupaka is, arguably, most famous for its small white half-flower which grows abundantly on the shrub. There is a story of two lovers who, after being driven apart by their families, were exiled: the man to the mountains, and the woman, to the ocean. They became the two varieties of the naupaka plant, each with a half flower representing their broken love. 

This week we are back at the House of Yates! So hele on down to the Kanikapila kākou! 

 When: Tuesday May 24, 2016 - 7:30-9:00pm

Where: 425 18A Street NW

How Much: $50 for a yearly membership. $5 drop in for non-members

Why: Because we can and we should!

Pirate Jim's Kanikapila - May 17, 2016

Aloha Kakou!

Seven days have sped by and it is again time to gather and strum our favourite 4 string instrument in harmony. Does it seem like the weeks are passing faster and faster lately? Maybe it is just me?

Pirate Jim's Hawaiian word of the week is Kelekiko . This word is actually parts of two words put together. Kelepona which means telephone and Kikokiko which means to type. Put the words together and you get a new word meaning "to text". Kelekiko can be used as a verb or a noun too. For example I can Kelekiko John to tell him I am on the way to the Kanikapila tonight, but I will be a little late and then the message itself is a Kelekiko. Remember though, do not Kelekiko while you kipaku aku i kou kaʻa (drive your car)!

Tonight we will gather in the SE portion of the city at the house of Musslewhite!

What: Pirate Jim's Kanikapila

When: Tuesday May 17, 2016 - 7:30-9:00pm

Where:  263 Douglasbank Mews SE

How Much: $50 for a yearly membership, $5 drop in for non-members

Why: Because we can and we should!

Pirate Jim's Kanikapila - May 10, 2016

Aloha kakou!

Wow! What a crazy week and it's time to now blow off some steam. We are back at Lister house in Scenic Acres this week. I can wait to see you there. 

The Hawaiian word of the week is Ahiahi which means Evening or roughly late afternoon through the middle of the afternoon. O ke ahiahi.  

What: Pirate Jim's Kanikapila

When: Tuesday May 10, 2016 - 7:30-9:00pm

Where: 355 Schubert Place NW

How Much: $50 for a yearly membership, $5 drop in for non-members

Why: Because we can and we should!

Pirate Jim's Kanikapila - May 3, 2016

Aloha kakou!

I hope you all had a fabulous weekend. I got to share the stage with my good friends Norm and Taraya this past Friday as we entertained the Conferation Park Seniors Chorus directed by my old singing teacher Lee Dowan. We even got a bunch of them up to teach them the hula to Hanalei Moon (including the men). It was a lot of fun sharing our love of Hawaiian culture and arts with some fellow singers.

The Hawaiian word of the week is actually a few words put together. Ever wondered how to ask someone how they are in Hawaiian? Well I'll tell ya. Pehea'oe means How are you? There are many ways to answer this question, but the most common way is to reply by saying Maika'i (fine, good) or Maika'i no (fine or good with emphasis). 

Tonight we will gather back at my ukulele shack for perhaps the last time at this location. Come join the house leaving celebration!

 What:  Pirate Jim's ukulele jam (Kanikapila)

Where:  At Pirate Jim's Ukulele Shack - 87 Tuscany Springs Way NW in Calgary.

When:  Tuesday April 3, 2016 - 7:30-9:00pm

How Much : $5.00 drop in, $50 for the yearly membership.

Why : Because it's a heck of a lot of fun and a wonderful stress relief.

www.piratejimukes.com

See you all tonight!

- Pirate Jim

Pirate Jim's Kanikapila - April 26, 2016

Aloha kakou! 

Things around here at the ukulele shack are crazy!!! We are selling the shack and moving closer to the ocean.... Well not that much closer, but I can dream. We have been cleaning and organizing like crazy. The best part is that everyone that comes to view the shack also gets to check out my ukulele tree. The person that buys this place may also become a new owner of a lovely ukulele.  

The Hawaiian Word of the Week is Iolani, which means Royal Hawk. This is a name which refers to Kamehameha the fourth, whose full name was Alexander Iolani Kalanikualiholiho. He reigned over the Kingdom of Hawaii as Regent from 1855, until his death eight years later when he was just 29 years old. Iolani is also the name of the Royal Palace, which was the first royal residence, in the entire world, to utilize electric lights.

Tonight we will gather in the SE portion of the city at the house of Musslewhite!

 What: Pirate Jim's Kanikapila

When: Tuesday April 26, 2016 - 7:30-9:00pm

Where:  263 Douglasbank Mews SE

How Much: $50 for a yearly membership, $5 drop in for non-members

Why: Because we can and we should!

Pirate Jim's Kanikapila - April 19, 2016

Aloha Kakou! 

Spring has definately sprung my friends and it is getting hot here in cowtown. Although we don't use air conditioning a whole lot here, today we may. The Hawaiian word of the week is Mikini Hoolu Ea.  Today's word is made up of three parts: Mikini, which is a Hawaiian translation of the word machine; Hoolu - meaning to cool, and Ea - air. When you combine all three words, you get "the machine which cools air" or air conditioner.

It is necessary for new vocabulary to be created almost constantly in Hawaiian, as the use of the language adapts, especially in regards to social changes and technological advancements. So let's bask in the mixture of hot and cold air tonight and watch the smoke come from our strumming fingers.

This weeks jam will be at Barb Yates house.

When: Tuesday April 19, 2016 - 7:30-9:00pm

Where: 425 18A Street NW

How Much: $50 for a yearly membership. $5 drop in for non-members

Why: Because we can and we should!

Pirate Jim's Kanikaplia - April 12, 2016

Aloha kakou! 

Peheaʻoe? How are you? Tonight we are meeting in a new kanikapila location. Club member Denise Lister is opening up her home for us to gather and strum our ukulele together. Mahalo nui loa Denise for your hospitality. I can't wait to see you all tonight in Scenic Acres.

The Hawaiian Word of the Week is pakaukau. The word pakaukau is very general and it is used to describe things like a table, stand, counter, booth or desk. Pakaukau can be broken down into two parts, pa or a specific area, and kau or kaukau which is verb meaning to place, so pakaukau is a place where you put things. In Hawai'i of old the word however, food was not served on a pakaukau, it was served on a lauhala mat. So let's put our songs books and iPads on the pakaukau and start strumming!

What: Pirate Jim's Kanikapila

When: Tuesday April 12, 2016 - 7:30-9:00pm

Where: 355 Schubert Place NW

How Much: $50 for a yearly membership, $5 drop in for non-members

Why: Because we can and we should! 

Pirate Jim's Kanikapila - April 5, 2016

Aloha kakou! 

It is Tuesday once again and time to kanikapila. This week we are back at my ukulele shack and I can't wait to start strumming. This week's Hawaiian word is hua. It has many, many definitions, but it is most commonly used to refer to eggs or fruit. Hua can also refer to things which are round in shape, much like eggs and fruitS like kiwi, apples, oranges and such. Appropriately so, there is also a Hawaiian moon phase called hua, which is when the moon is waxing and nearly full. Under the hua moon, the night was considered sacred to the Hawaiian god of agriculture, and as such was good luck for planting and fishing.

My picture for the week is from last Wednesday night. My good friend Rodger Leeder was having a going away kanikapila at an Irish pub. He let me break the rules and play a few Hawaiian tunes at the Celtic jam. I'm going to miss Rodger, but I am very happy for him too. Happy trails my friend and enjoy your new new home in Nova Scotia! 

What:  Pirate Jim's ukulele jam (Kanikapila)

Where:  At Pirate Jim's Ukulele Shack - 87 Tuscany Springs Way NW in Calgary.

When:  Tuesday March 15, 2016 - 7:30-9:00pm

How Much : $5.00 drop in, $50 for the yearly membership.

Why : Because it's a heck of a lot of fun and a wonderful stress relief especially under a hua moon.

www.piratejimukes.com

See you all tonight!

- Pirate Jim

Pirate Jim's Kaikapila - March 29, 2016

Aloha kākou!

Peheaʻoe? How are you? I Sure hope your easter long weekend was long enough and full of family, friends and fun. My pearl of wisdom for this week is the Hawaiian word "Wahī". In Hawaiian this word can actually be used as a verb or a noun. As a verb it means to wrap something, cover something or to fold up any number of things. As a noun wahī is an envelope, cover, sheath, wrapper or case. Time to put my ukulele in it's wahī and hele on down to the kanikapila! See you at John and Cherie's place kakou. 

What: Pirate Jim's Kanikapila

When: Tuesday March 29, 2016 - 7:30-9:00pm

Where:  263 Douglasbank Mews SE

How Much: $50 for a yearly membership, $5 drop in for non-members

Why: Because we can and we should!

Pirate Jim's Kanikapila - March 22, 2016

Aloha mai kākou  

Pehea'oe kākou? How are you all? It Ukulele Tuesday again and tonight we will gather at the house of Barb! I am looking forward to it as usual. Today my pearl of wisdom for you is the Hawaiian word LELE. You will recognize it from the word ukulele which means jumping flea. It means to jump, fly or sail through the air. LELE  is the root for the Hawaiian word for radio because the voices seem to fly through the air. Just like in the song KHBC. LELE  is also the word for the sacrificial alter or heiau found on many of the islands of Hawaii. The body of the sacrifice was brought to the lele to be consecrated to the gods.

When: Tuesday March 22, 2016 - 7:30-9:00pm

Where: 425 18a St. NW

How Much: $50 for a yearly membership, $5 drop in for non-members

(purchase online: http://www.piratejimukes.com/shop/?category=Kanikapila+Memberships)

Why: Because we can and we should!

See you all tonight! 

- Pirate Jim  

Pirate Jim's Kanikapila - March 15, 2016

Aloha Kakou, 

It's Tuesday!!! Woot Woot! Time to do the time warp again! Now that is a song we have never tried at a jam. Hmnnnnn.... I now have a bunch of Rocky Horror Picture Show songs going through my head. Some of them would be a blast to hear done by a chorus of ukuleles. Perhaps I will surprise you with a few tonight! Mwahahahaha! (sinister pirate laugh)

We are back at the shack this week and I can't wait to kanikapila time warp with you again. Until then here is a video of Ka Uluwehi O Ke Kai with me and my hula dancer Taraya from music camp this year. You may recognize the song from a jam or two.

 What:  Pirate Jim's ukulele jam (Kanikapila)

Where:  At Pirate Jim's Ukulele Shack - 87 Tuscany Springs Way NW in Calgary.

When:  Tuesday March 15, 2016 - 7:30-9:00pm

How Much : $5.00 drop in, $50 for the yearly membership.

Why : Because it's a heck of a lot of fun and a wonderful stress relief.

www.piratejimukes.com

See you all tonight!

- Pirate Jim

Pirate Jim's Kanikapila - March 8, 2016

Aloha Kakou, 

Pehea'oe? Maika'i? (How are you? Good?) I know I am having a blast with the early spring weather we are having. When I practice my ukulele tunes I can almost transport myself to Waikiki beach if I close my eyes. Now only if plumeria would grow here. Are you ready to kanikaplia? Well tonight we are going to jam like it's 2999! We are back at my shack this week so those of you that have been waiting to try out an uke on my tree, tonight's your chance. See you all in a few short hours.

 What:  Pirate Jim's ukulele jam (Kanikapila)

Where:  At Pirate Jim's Ukulele Shack - 87 Tuscany Springs Way NW in Calgary, Ab, Canada.

When:  Tuesday March 8, 2016 - 7:30-9:00pm

How Much : $5.00 drop in, $50 for the yearly membership. 

Why : Because it's a heck of a lot of fun and a wonderful stress relief. 

www.piratejimukes.com

See you all tonight! 

- Pirate Jim

Pirate Jim's Kanikapila - March 1, 2016

Aloha Kakou, 

Can you believe another 7 days have past by? I am glad it's Super Tuesday because we are going to have a super time together tonight singing and strumming! We'll be in the central part of town this week at the home Barb Yates (thank you Barb for your hospitality once again).

Come share the aloha with us! Bring along your thinking caps because I am going to teach you how to sing a song in Hawaiian so that I am not the only one singing the Hawaiian songs in the future! Don't worry... No pressure!

 When: Tuesday March 1, 2016 - 7:30-9:00pm

Where: 425 18a St. NW

How Much: $50 for a yearly membership, $5 drop in for non-members

(purchase online: http://www.piratejimukes.com/shop/?category=Kanikapila+Memberships)

Why: Because we can and we should!

Pirate Jim's Kanikapila - February 23, 2016

Aloha kakou, 

I have returned from Oahu and Kauai and although it was sad to leave my second home it is always good to return to my family, friends and YOU!!! I have a few new things I learned at camp to bring to our Kanikapila tonight, so be sure not to miss it. The video below is my performance at the open mic at camp this year. Enjoy!!! 

What: Pirate Jim's Kanikapila

When: Tuesday February 23, 2016 - 7:30-9:00pm

Where:  263 Douglasbank Mews SE

How Much: $50 for a yearly membership *(now due for 2016), $5 drop in for non-members

Why: Because we can and we should!

 https://www.facebook.com/PirateJimUkes/videos/1040881559303227/

Pirate Jim's Kanikapila - February 16, 2016

Aloha kakou, 

Another 7 days have come and gone. My week at the Aloha Music Camp has also come and gone and I am now on my way back to the shack. Unfortunately I will not get there in time for our ukulele time together, but my wife Stanis will be there to lead the jam. I will be there next week. I have learned a lot at music camp this year and I can't wait to share the aloha with you when I return.

Happiness is found in the sound of four strings being plucked in harmony!

What:  Pirate Jim's ukulele jam (Kanikapila)

Where:  At Pirate Jim's Ukulele Shack - 87 Tuscany Springs Way NW in Calgary.

When:  Tuesday February 16, 2016 - 7:30-9:00pm

How Much:  $5 drop in, $50 for year membership (these can now be purchased online at www.piratejimukes.com in advance)