Manny K. Fernandez '49

MANNY K

Manny K. Fernandez, SLC ’49, moved away from Hawaii 20 years ago, but not far. He has an Aloha, Oregon address and lives in a part of the Northwest populated by people hungry for Hawaiian music, culture and things Hawaiian. For one, surrounded by such things all his life and who had traveled across the states and to foreign countries with Andy Cummings to promote Hawaii as part of a local airline’s musical troupe, that part of the Northwest is perfect. He leads a group that entertains with old traditional Hawaiian music at conventions, private parties, luaus and weddings. Neil Vasconcellos, SLC ’49, and his wife, Jane, SHA ’49, who live in Lacey, Washington, about 2 hours away, are among his biggest fans.


Manny and Betty Jean

One of the youngest in the class of ’49, Manny K. has yet to slow down. Last September, he was in Honolulu helping decorate a float for the Aloha Week Parade and as a former Aloha Week Mo’i, rode in the float for former Kings and Queens. December 2003 will find him back in Honolulu where he will be performing at Club Waikiki (Miramar Hotel), Windward Mall, Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center (Fountain Court), Ala Moana Center (Center Stage), the Genoa Keawe Show (Waikiki Beach Marriott Hotel) and the Halekulani Hotel. John Berger describes his music in a Honolulu Star-Bulletin review of a CD by Manny K of 23 Hawaiian and hapa-haole songs as beautiful and said that the liner notes on Manny K’s family history and the significance of the songs to him completed the project. Stan Ambo, SLC ’49, calls it a timeless rendition, which takes mature audiences back to pre-electronic music, allowing youngsters to appreciate how music used to be played. Manny K’s website is www.hawaiiangatherings.com.

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