Through the years, multiple experiments have shown that the average number of handshakes to link any two people is six.
I have long been a believer in “six degrees of separation.” In fact, in Hawaiʻi that number is probably closer to two or three. That was evident in a recent conversation with Kimo Lee, the son of one of the greatest singers and songwriters of all time, the extraordinary Kui Lee. I have been a fan of Kui Lee’s music my entire life and I was excited to welcome Kimo to be a guest on What School You Went? to talk about his legendary father.
Kuiokalani Lee was an extraordinary artist who was born into a family deeply rooted in the traditions of Hawaiʻi. His unique ability to blend traditional Hawaiian sounds with contemporary influences created a new wave of music that was innovative and timeless. Lee achieved international fame when Don Ho began performing and recording Lee’s compositions, with Ho promoting Lee as the songwriter for a new generation of Hawaiian music. Lee became the golden boy artist of Hawaiʻi in the 1960s.
He was a visionary and a musical genius whose melodies transcended boundaries and whose lyrics resonated deeply in the hearts of fans worldwide. Songs like “I’ll Remember You,” “Ain’t No Big Thing,” “Lahainaluna,” “Suck ‘Em Up” and “The Days of My Youth,” are still anthems today, cherished by those who appreciate the beauty of heartfelt storytelling through song.
During our conversation, Kimo shared a special story about the song “The Days of My Youth,” and brought me to tears when he sang the song for us. Once we wiped away our tears, we took an unexpected trip down memory lane and it was then that I learned that I knew Kimo from “the days of my youth.”
When I was five years-old, I was the batboy for my Uncle Eddie Kashima’s Kainalu Tigers all-star baseball team. My cousin Nolan was their best pitcher and my childhood idol. I also remember a hotshot second baseman who I used to imitate all the time. He was so darn talented. Turns out, that second baseman was Kimo Lee, and I was Dukie, the irritating batboy who always got in the way. We laughed and hugged each other, knowing our paths had crossed more than 50 years ago.
Please join us on July 17 on What School You Went? for a memorable conversation with Kimo Lee. Six degrees of separation? In Hawaiʻi, we are all much closer than that.
