Tropical Hawaiian Day (1991)
Valley Style (1993)
On Fire (1995)
Making Waves (1996)
The Best Of Ka'au Crater Boys (1998)
Their work garnered them three Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards, (Nā Hōkū Hanohano means "The Distinguished/Glorious Stars", Hawaii's version of the Grammy Awards) from the Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts.
The Kaʻau Crater Boys were formed in the early 1990s by Ernie Cruz Jr. (the son of Ernie Cruz Sr. and brother of Guy and John Cruz who are also local entertainers) and Troy Fernandez.
Their first album, “Tropical Hawaiian Day,” released in 1991, marked the official beginning of Troy and Ernie’s 7-year partnership as one of the most successful groups in contemporary island music.
Cruz played bass, acoustic guitar and handled main vocals for the majority of songs they recorded. Fernandez also played bass, contributed to vocals (mainly as a backing vocalist), but was mostly renowned for his musicianship with the ukulele.
The creation of the Kaʻau Crater Boys also coincided with the resurgence in local Hawaiian customs and tradition, as well as promoting the renaissance of Hawaiian culture, especially among the local youth.
As part of a collective of artists from the Palolo Housing area of Oahu, Hawaii Cruz and Fernandez earned a steady gig at the Elks Lodge which also opened the door for Troy and Ernie to tour Japan for 6 months.
A last minute appearance a few years later at Moose McGillycuddy’s Pub became a regular gig - this time as “E.T.,” “Ernie/Troy” (a play on names after the popular film, “ET – The Extra-Terrestrial”).
Ernie Cruz died in September 2016.
The name Kaʻau Crater Boys refers to Kaʻau Crater, an extinct volcano above the Palolo Valley of Oahu, near to the Palolo housing community in which Cruz and Fernandez were raised.
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From the vibrantly produced debut album, Tropical Hawaiian Day, to the magical sounds of their fourth release, "Making Waves", the Ka'au Crater Boys have become one of Hawaii's hottest duos in contemporary Hawaiian music.
The Ka'au Crater Boys distinctive and appealing sound reflects their love of Hawaii and of their favorite non-musical activity, surfing -- creating a new breed of Hawaiian music. They've formed a fresh blend of guitar and ukulele completely different from other contemporary local artists, sparking a new artistic style where the original material is insightful and more reflective of the Hawaiian lifestyle. Cruz's powerful easy rhythms and Fernandez' distinctive ukulele technique, make for a truly magical sound. Their songs are a mixture of Hawaiian standards, country oldies, pop, reggae and their own originals.
Their debut album, Tropical Hawaiian Day, garnered a strong local following. Their second album, Valley Style, served notice that Cruz and Fernandez were outstanding artists as they were honored with the 1994 Hoku for Contemporary Album of the Year (Hawaii's Grammy equivalent). Fernandez' "Surf" was a highlight on this album and is still a favorite among their fans. Their third album, On Fire!, won them the Contemporary Album Hoku for the second year in a row. Their recording of "Opihi Man" a catchy ode to challenging and sometimes life-threatening work of the opihi pickers, earned Big Island composer Craig Kamahele "Song of the Year" honors as well. Their fourth release, Making Waves brings their two loves together, music and surfing. It offers two renditions of "Makaha", one representing the Ka'au sound, while the other hints of rock that could be called Hawaiian Rock.
Skilled at playing bass and acoustic guitar, Cruz is the son of famous Hawaiian musician Ernie Cruz, Sr. and brother to popular solo entertainer, John Cruz. Fernandez, a master on his ukulele and bass, performs with wizardry and vitality. He has become a key figure in the resurgence of interest in the ukulele, causing such a stir among young kids that like the old days way back when, it's not uncommon to see kids playing ukulele as they stroll down the street or make their way between classes at school.
Raised in the verdant valley of Palolo on Oahu, the Ka'au Crater Boys began their musical roots in Palolo Housing. The Boys are an inspiration to local kids hanging out with idle time and uncertain futures. The Boys drive home the lesson that an inexpensive guitar or ukulele can be the key to a positive and productive life. A new generation of aspiring musicians now turn up at Ka'au Crater Boys concerts to watch and learn from them. "Most of our songs, anybody can do 'em" We tell the kids that," says Fernandez. Cruz emphasizes simplicity: "People like simple things if they're done right."
Ka'au Crater Boys . . . local boys who love music, surfing and Hawaii. A simple combination, done right!
House at Pooh Corner
Ka'au Crater Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As the branches lit up by the moon
Posing our questions to owl and eyore
As our days disappeared all too soon
But i wandered much farther today than i should
And i can′t seem to find my way back to the woods
So help me if you can i've got to get
You′d be surprised there's so much to be done
Count all the bees in the hive
Chase all the clouds from the sky
Back to the days of christopher robin and pooh
Winnie the pooh doesn't know what to do
Got a honey jar stuck on his nose
Now he came to me asking help and advice
And from here no one knows where he goes
So i sent him to ask of the owl if he′s there
How to loosen a jar from the nose of a bear
So help me if you can i′ve got to get
Back to the house at pooh corner by one
You'd be surprised there′s so much to be done
Count all the bees in the hive
Chase all the clouds from the sky
Back to the days of christopher robin and pooh
So help me if you can i've got to get
Back to the house at pooh corner by one
You′d be surprised there's so much to be done
Count all the bees in the hive
Chase all the clouds from the sky
Back to the days of christopher robin
Back to the ways of christopher robin
Back to the ways of pooh
The Ka'au Crater Boys song "House at Pooh Corner" is a tribute to the beloved children's book character Winnie the Pooh. The song reflects on the simplicity of childhood and the happiness found in spending time with friends. Christopher Robin and the singer of the song walk through the woods, addressing their questions to Owl and Eeyore, and basking in the moonlight. The days pass too quickly and the singer wanders too far into the woods and cannot find his way back. He asks for help to return to the "House at Pooh Corner" by one, where there is always so much to be done. Counting bees and chasing clouds from the sky, the singer longs to return to the days of innocence and simplicity.
The second verse of the song focuses on Winnie the Pooh's predicament. He has gotten a honey jar stuck on his nose and needs help. The singer sends Pooh to Owl to ask for advice on how to remove the jar, but nobody knows where Pooh goes. The song is a reminder that we can all get lost, even in situations as simple-seeming as getting a honey jar unstuck from your nose. It reflects on how sometimes we need help from friends to find our way back to where we are meant to be.
Line by Line Meaning
Christopher robin and i walked along
The singer and Christopher Robin are walking together.
As the branches lit up by the moon
The moon is shining on the branches.
Posing our questions to owl and eyore
They are asking Owl and Eeyore questions.
As our days disappeared all too soon
Their time together is passing quickly.
But i wandered much farther today than i should
The singer has wandered too far from familiar territory.
And i can′t seem to find my way back to the woods
The singer is lost and unable to find their way back.
So help me if you can i've got to get
The singer needs help finding their way back.
Back to the house at pooh corner by one
They need to make it back to the house at Pooh Corner by a certain time.
You′d be surprised there's so much to be done
There is a lot of work to be done once they get back.
Count all the bees in the hive
One of the tasks is to count the bees in the hive.
Chase all the clouds from the sky
Another task is to chase the clouds away.
Back to the days of christopher robin and pooh
They want to go back to the old days with Christopher Robin and Pooh.
Winnie the pooh doesn't know what to do
Pooh is in a bit of a dilemma.
Got a honey jar stuck on his nose
Pooh has a jar of honey stuck on his nose.
Now he came to me asking help and advice
Pooh is asking the singer for help and advice.
And from here no one knows where he goes
They don't know what will happen after this.
So i sent him to ask of the owl if he's there
The singer sends Pooh to ask Owl for advice.
How to loosen a jar from the nose of a bear
Pooh needs to know how to remove the honey jar from his nose.
Back to the ways of christopher robin
They want to return to the ways of Christopher Robin.
Back to the ways of pooh
They want to return to the ways of Pooh.
Writer(s): Loggins Kenneth Clark
Contributed by Ella J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@erictello848
My mom used to play this song a lot. Brings back good memories. Rest In Peace Denise Tello.
@l0wcdoutcrip1x61
My Condolences 2 you my brother 😔 RIP to moms Cuhz
@camgb8025
God bless 🙏
@kingsmoke1855
I lost my mommy in march dis year…. Today I’m holding my first child in the nicu at kapiolani… mommy I know you watching your grandson!!!! Much love to all!!!!
@jimmyonguitar1
I never liked this song, but as soon as I heard Ernie sing it, everything changed. Now I can’t stop listening to this version. RIP Ernie. I’ll never stop listening to you.
@MsCeegull
My son Tristan who lives in Hawaii loves this song! It is so famous in Hawaii and Hawaii 105 plays this song all the time! I love it too! Great song! Great group!
@charleswilliams8716
this song makes me remember a lot of great times in Hawaii. i miss my hanai family.
@claytron3000
This song is timeless and beautiful. Kenny Loggins would be so proud to hear how his song was covered.
Rest in paradise, Uncle Ernie. May your music live on.
@davidfields1991
I heard this song done at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Great version. I am moved to post my own version of this song.
@taylortlat2214
Memories! I remember being a youngin being in the car whenever this song would play.