The Big Island’s Benson Kam won the 25th annual Clyde “Kindy” Sproat Falsetto and Storytelling Competition held Sept. 9 at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott.
This year’s competition, part of the Hawaii Island Festivals, 30 days of Aloha, featured winners of past falsetto contests. The concert provided an entertainment opportunity for amateur falsetto singers and a platform for the preservation and perpetuation of a unique aspect of Hawaii’s music industry. It was designed to increase the awareness of island traditions through interpretation and song.
The event honors Hawaii Island’s nationally recognized treasure, the late Clyde Halemaumau “Kindy” Sproat. Uncle Kindy grew up immersed in Hawaiian music and listening to slack key masters of the area. Years later, he became acclaimed for his own mastery of guitar and ukulele, his talent as a Hawaiian falsetto singer and was awarded a National Heritage Fellowship by the National Endowment for the Arts. Uncle Kindy has appeared at Carnegie Hall and at the National Folk Festival.
In 1992, through vision and collaboration efforts of Uncle Gene Erger and Aunty Gloriann Akau, the Clyde “Kindy” Sproat Falsetto and Storytelling Contest was created in his honor.
Festivities continue this weekend with the Waimea Paniolo Parade at 10 a.m. on Saturday followed by the annual Hoolaulea from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Church Row Park in Waimea.
Info: www.hawaiiislandfestival.org. ■