by Frank Stoddard (ACS)

Our son Silas is visiting (and working his Butt off for the old man).

Frank *Da Fonz*

*** Admin Note: Frank thanks for posting the video by my old friend *IZ* from back in the days when I called Hawai’i home. IZ and I were good friends for many years. The video touched me and brought back memories of weekend jam session at Gabby Pahinui’s place down Waimanalo side .

Pahinui ohana (family) and friends jamming Waimanlo. Circa 1973. Bob Layson Collection. – Click Image to Enlarge.

They’d usually start Friday evening and last through Sunday. You never knew who would be there. Local musicians would more or less drift in and out over the weekend. Everyone would bring their instruments and join in the jamming and singing of Hawaiian songs together, drinking Primo Beer, and eating (the grills where going continuously). Everyone was welcome. It was the custom to bring your instrument, some kind of food to throw on the grill and a case of Primo Beer. These jam sessions would just *ooze* with ALOHA. IZ would stop by often as he idolized Gabby – as most local musicians did – as the Grandfather of Hawaiian slack key music.

Jamming with Pahinui ohana (family) and friends Waimanalo. Circa 1971. Bob Layson collection – Click Image to Enlarge.

I have many, many found memories of weekends spent at Gabby’s with the Pahinui ohana (family), IZ and all the local musicians sharing the *Spirit of Aloha*.

Thanks for triggering these wonderful memories for me, Frank.

I’ve added 2 more of Izzy’s videos below. The first one “In This Life” I dedicate to you and Sue – 🙂

May the second one “White Sandy Beach” bring back memories for you and Sue of times spent on the white sandy beaches of Hawai’i – 🙂

Peace be with you … my friend – 🙂

Bob