The Willows Restaurant, location of the Ching Cousins reunion, was the site picked for Sharon's surprise birthday party on October 31, 2009. In order to provide a "guise" to get Sharon and Addison to the Willows, Russell "invited" them to a special Hawaiian music lunch/concert at The Willows. This provided a convenient but necessary reason to get Sharon to The Willows without arousing suspicion. All guests were seated and in place when Sharon and Addison arrived, and Sharon was indeed surprised!

Seating was at the same table as the Ching Cousin's reunion but set up for two parties. The second party began arriving a bit later. As Sharon's party progressed, the group noticed that the second party seemed to be singing Hawaiian music amongst themselves, accompanied by 'ukuleles they had brought along. Russell kidded Sharon that this was the Hawaiian music he had promised and everyone had a good chuckle.

After the luncheon was over, the group stayed around to "talk story". Addison was standing in the aisle, talking to Tom Mui, when one of the other party's members passed nearby. Addison took the opportunity to thank him for the entertainment and explained the guise of the Hawaiian entertainment for Sharon's surprise party. He mentioined that it was the Genoa Keawe family gathered there to celebrate what would have been her 91st birthday.

Knowing the relationship between Genoa Keawe and Uncle George, Addison went to the Keawe table and inquired if, indeed, it was Genoa Keawe's family. After they responded positvely, he asked if they remembered George Ching who was the first to record their mom. They did, and Addison, pointing to Sharon's party group, mentioned that this was George Ching's extended family. Then the excitement began. Eric Keawe, Genoa's youngest son, commented that they had been trying to find a way of locating George Ching's relatives to assist with documenting some historical information for their mom's biography. He came to Sharon's party's table and talked at length with Addison who introduced him to party guests.

What happened next was an even bigger surprise! Gary Aiko, one of Genoa's sons who continues to record and entertains weekly at the Waikiki Beach Marriott as a member of the group The Keawe Ohana, came up to sing a special birthday song to Sharon. This was very special! After he finished, he asked for special requests and Sharon wanted to hear Genoa Keawe's specialty, "Alika". This was a job for Eric's daughter, Pomaika‘i Keawe Lyman, also a member of The Keawe Ohana. She has taken up the Alika banner in the tradition of her grandmother and she did a superb job! Everyone there was in disbelilef at the turn of events but it was indeed a very special birthday party for Sharon!

Addison later found out that the Keawe party member that he first encountered was O'Brian Eselu, Kumu Hula, entertainer, and director of the Paradise Cove luau Polynesian show. Also at the Keawe table was Kealoha Kalama, recording artist and Kumu Hula, and Alan Akaka, steel guitar virtuoso (he's considered by many to be the world's leading Hawaiian steel guitar artist.) Alan is also a member of The Keawe Ohana, and Sen. Daniel Akaka's son.

 »» See more pictures

 »» See video: Gary Aiko and Alan Akaka singing to Sharon

 »» See video: Pomaika‘i Keawe Lyman and Gary Aiko singing "Alika".