Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 33, Number 10, 1 October 2016 — In Memoriam: Ernie Cruz Jr. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

In Memoriam: Ernie Cruz Jr.

As half of the Nā Hōkū Hanohano award-win-ning duo Ka'au Crater Boys, Ernie Cruz Jr. made an indelible mark on Hawai'i's music scene.

But entertaining and inspiring other musicians isn't Cruz's only legacy. His popularity as a musician allowed him to engage fans in his other passions, including an affinity for the oeean, perpetuating traditional culture and practices and empowering loeal communities to have a voice in management of their natural resources. "Most people were unaware that Ernie

was an Aloha 'Āina, a Hawaiian patriot, and his life was dedicated to learning about and sharing the essence of Hawaiian nationalism. It manifested in our political conversations, his presence at Hawaiian gatherings, and his love of the oeean," said OHA Ka Pouhana and CEO Kamana'opono Crabbe. Cruz, 56, was found unresponsive in waters off Sandy Beach on Sept. 20 and died in the hospital that afternoon. Growing up in Pālolo, Cruz saw the Hawaiian Renaissance take shape around him and the social consciousness that drove that movement was evident in Cruz's music, as well as his conununity service. In addition to working as a stevedore by day, Cruz served as secretary of the nonprofit Kua'Āina Ulu 'Āuamo (KUA). "KUA serves as a backbone for statewide rural and Hawaiian conununity mālama 'āina networks to gather and learn from and empower eaeh other," said KUA Executive Director Kevin Chang, who asked Cruz to be one of the organization's first board members. "Emie would simply say he loved Hawai'i and that this was what the people we work with were all about. Caring for Hawai'i. Ernie believed eonunon

people could make a difference. It is eonunon loeal people he cherished playing music for." Music was part of Cruz's upbringing. His father and namesake was known as the "Waimea

Cowboy" for his signature song. His brother John is a fixture in the loeal music scene. His brother Guy, who passed Sept. 23 in hospice care, was also a performer. Cruz found his own fame in the 1990s alongside his childhood friend Troy Fernandez - the other half of the Ka'au Crater Boys. Their albums "Valley Style" and "On Fire!" both won Nā Hōkū awards for Contemporary Alhum of the Year.

As a solo artist, Cruz picked up another Nā Hōkū award for his 2002 alhum "Portraits," and was also honored as Male Vocalist of the Year. Chang said Cmz was starting to find his voice outside of music, testifying at hearings, working with community members and lending his mana'o at events. And as Crabbe recalled, Cruz put people first. "When others had difficulty in balancing politics and friends who may have different views, Ernie always let us know that pilina, relationships, were important to him. He never belittled, insulted or demonized," Crabbe recalled. "He always approached me with his classic smile, the tough questions and a gallon of 'awa." Cruz had recently expanded his 'ohana, marrying his wife Kahelelani and becoming a father to son Kailoa. Sharing a conunent from one of Cruz's close friends, Chang said, "Ernie was expanding his experienee as a human being and extending his aloha. We were lucky to know him at this time." Crabbe added, "His legacy of music, his genuine aloha, and his love of country will inAuenee many generations to eome. Ho'i ke aloha i Pālolo, i ka ua Līlīlehua e kilihune nei." ■