George Helm:a true Hawaiian
"George Jarrett Helm Jr. of Moloka'i disappeared in March 1977 while spear heading the occupation and eventual return of Kaho'olawe island to Hawai'i. Kahoolawe had been a U.S. Navy bombing target for 53 years until it was returned to the state in 1994, after a protracted struggle that Helm had started in the mid-1970s".
"from Honolulu Star Bulletin"
I first heard of George Helm around 92' when I met a dear friend named Kalena on the island of Kaua'i. Kalena was/ is a marvelous performer with a beautiful falsetto voice. I remember many times hearing him speak of his respect for George Helm and his singing.I either I wasn't paying attention or kalena never told me much about George as a political activist!
Well I said I would,
George was an accomplished musician
this is my tribute site,
to one of the true
with amazing vocal talent,
all time, folk heros
who lived with all his heart!
for Hawai'i nei !
It wasn't untill around 94' that I had took a room in a house in Kilauea Kaua'i that I not only heard George's music, but about his activism, for the first time. I lucked out, in renting that room. If you have to rent a small room, it couldn't have been better than this. The fellow that I rented from and lived, with was an employed, union carpenter, my age, into hawaiian music and happen to have the original vinyl copies of Georges' music! Woot!
"Keone" was the one who first told me about George Helm and his occupation of Kaho'olawe. His (Keone's) story was that Helm had somewhat antagonized his own demise,
saying that Helm had some particularly acute "Dirt" on a then, particular high government official. Helm, I was told, in his passion to
see more forwardly substantial measures taken by government with regard to Hawaiian affairs, had possibly threatened said politician with
"spilling the beans" as it were.
To be continued-