it was worth, I just knew it was a beautiful guitar! Ben talked with me a little and told me to enjoy the guitar. Still in disbelief, I thanked him and Ben left. The year was 1984 and I never saw Ben again until 1994, when I caught a glimpse of him performing at Windward Mall with his group at that time, 5:05. Since that time, I have finally caught up with Ben and a lot of great things have been happening with him. His new album, "Walking in the Light" has already garnered a #1 hit, "Maile Lei" here in the islands. In Japan,the pop tune "Whenever I" from the same album is in heavy rotation on many radio stations. I took some time to catch up with Ben and find out where he came from and what he has been up to since I last saw him thirteen years ago.

Scott: Where did you grow up? Ben: I was born in Palama and grew up in Palolo. I went to Palolo Elementary, Jarrett Intermediate, Kaimuki High school, and then to the school of hard knocks which is life. (laugh) As soon as I graduated from high school I moved to Dallas, Texas for three years, then to California for 6 1/2 years. I did a lot of traveling in the United States for about 9 1/2 years. I went traveling with various bands, artist and musicians. Roughly that's my background for my 25 years of playing music. Scott: When did you first get interested in music? Ben: I never really wanted to get into music, I would just play a little ukulele, and not really a lot of guitar, in fact I couldn?t even tune the guitar when I first was learning how to play. But, I was into sports and I got hurt during my sophomore year, so I started playing music in my sophomore year. Actually I am a lot better in sports than I am at music. (laugh) Baseball especially. But I figured, "well since I can't run the way I used to, I might as well play music...." So I started playing from that point.

	Scott: Did you always sing as well as you do? Ben: No! In fact my mom used to send me down the river. (laugh) I remember once, when I was thirteen, it was Christmas and my sisters and I were singing Christmas Carols, my mother told me after we were done "Don't sing!". (laughs) So my mother used to always send me down the river because I just sounded so terrible. The only one who ever appreciated my singing was my dog. He used to howl with me! (laugh) That was the only one who ever appreciated my singing. I really got into singing at about age 21. But before that.... I really couldn't sing. Scott: Did you take lessons to improve? Ben: No. I was all self taught. Even playing music, I had no lessons. Which is kind of good in a way for me, I guess, that's why I have the appreciation for music like I do. I appreciate the ear for music that I have been given from the Lord. I can hear it and respond right away. The response for me is immediate. I am very thankful for that. I can kinda read chord charts, but not enough to even write home about.