Berkeley native brings spirit of aloha to everything he does — which is a lot
Patrick Landeza, an award-winning slack-key guitarist with an upcoming show at Yoshi's in Oakland, curated the "Hawaiians in Hayward" exhibit.
Patrick Landeza is a certainly a nominee for the title of Bay Area’s busiest man.
“Sometimes I forget where I am,” jokes the Berkeley native who now lives in San Lorenzo. “I do keep a rigorous schedule and people ask me, ‘When do you sleep?’ I tell them, ‘I’m sleeping now as we speak.’”
To his fans, Landeza is best known as the award-winning Hawaiian slack key guitarist, who has released a dozen albums — the latest of which, “Patrick Landeza & Sons,” has just been nominated for island music album of year at the 2023 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards (Hawaii’s equivalent of the Grammys).
Yet his students know him for his daytime gig at Moreau Catholic High School in Hayward, where he has just taken on he new role of program/outreach coordinator.
He also runs Landeza’s Island catering business, has his own clothing line (Aloha Everywhere) and wine label, makes jewelry, writes books and promotes concerts, among many other things.
Oh, and did we mention he and his wife Jennifer also have five kids, all under the age of 21?
Recently, Landeza added yet another item to his resume when he curated the “Hawaiians in Hayward” exhibit at the Hayward Library.
The display, which is being held in conjunction with Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, is both a celebration of and history lesson on the Bay Area’s rich Hawaiian culture and legacy.
“I first thought about it years ago, when the community members were getting older,” Landeza says. “The change between the Hawaiian community and those who love all things Hawaiian became evident. Community members started shifting events geared not only to ‘just’ Hawaiians or Hawaii folks but to non-Hawaiians and people that enjoyed the culture. With Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest, Alaska all flying to Hawaii from the Bay, the culture was being exposed more than ever.”
The exhibit, which runs through June 24, features art from Makaiwa Tong Kanui, a native Hawaiian who spent much time in Hayward while attending Mills College. It also takes viewers all the way back to 1830s as it looks at the migration of Hawaiian people to Hayward.
“I’ve done a lot of things in my life but to curate an exhibit and to tell the stories of those that came before me was both an honor and a privilege,” Landeza says.
The acclaimed slack-key guitarist and vocalist – who previously has won two Na Hoku Hanohano Awards in the slack-key album category – is also greatly looking forward to his return to Yoshi’s in Oakland on May 18.
He’ll be leading his Patrick Landeza & Sons ensemble at the show, which doubles as an AANHPI celebration. Showtime is 8 p.m. and tickets are $25-$49, yoshis.com.
The group features Patrick “PJ” Landeza Jr. on bass as well as Justin Firmeza on Hawaiian steel guitar.
“I call (Firmeza) my school son, I taught him since he was a ninth grader at Moreau Catholic,” Landeza says. “He’s a piano player and I felt he had the skills and temperament to play Hawaiian steel guitar. So I had him study under the master, Alan Akaka, and I said I’d pay for two months. After two months, Alan said that I didn’t need to pay him anymore — he’d take him on full-time because he was so talented and a fast learner.”
The host and hula dancer for the evening is Angela Baraquio Grey, who was crowned Miss America in 2001.
Landeza says that this could be one of the last chances to see him perform in concert – at least for a while.
“Performance wise, I’ve slowed down because of my new position at Moreau Catholic High School,” he says. “The Yoshi’s shows have always meant a lot to me — this is my second year in a row and I love partnering up with them for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander month.
“I’ve reached all my musical goals and want to transition to other avenues. I am finishing up the last of my committed shows in May. Also with PJ heading off to Long Beach for college, this is a good exit/break for Patrick Landeza & Sons.”
The loss of his mother earlier this year has also impacted his desire and ability to play music.
“I am still mourning mom’s passing,” he says. “She was my inspiration and reason I am able to do what I do today. I would sing and mom would dance hula. When mom could no longer dance we would sing together. When I went to visit mom a couple months ago, she would not sing back and two days later she was gone.
“Hawaiian music is our lifeline. When I lost mom, I lost the will to perform. My wife calls it my ‘evolution.’ I want to pivot and create, educate. My time, talent and treasure can be used in different ways. I’m just taking a break from performing.”
Yet, don’t expect that he’s going to otherwise slow down during that break.
“I feel one person can make a difference,” Landeza says of why he chooses to stay busy with so many different pursuits. “If I’m capable and able then no need to talk or grumble — just do it.
“It’s a trait I learned from my late great-aunt Judith Sham. She showed me that action and aloha speak louder than words. My father too, for that matter. He was a cook and started Hawaiian organizations in the Bay in the ‘60s. He was a community organizer, a well loved figure and life of the party.
“I want to be like daddy.”
