I'm going to try this again, as a glitch wiped out my first attempt.
I don't post very often, but enjoy reading the comments of those who do. Therefore I'll try to say everthing  concerning  my take on Joliet '08 in the next few paragraphs.
 
First of all, Many thanks to Duane, Craig, Paul and others for the kind words concerning "Coconut Candy". Making it was a labor of love, and I received considerable encouragement to do so even before I started. As most of you know, 100% of the proceeds go to the HSGA general fund. So far that has been $230. Thanks to all from the HSGA and myself.
 
Secondly: Paul------Paul, you dont need to learn anything more or change anything that you're  doing! Lush chords, schmords---- forget it. You're doing everything right. In my humble opinion, you're one of the most talented guys out there. I repeat----don't change a thing. Also, your easy going mannerism rates you as "MR Cool" in my book.
 
 
Lastly, I would be hard presseed to name the highlights of the convention.There were way too many for me. Steve Cheney was a very talented performer. Paul Kim ranked right up there on the top of the leader board. I don't want to go any farther for fear of  leaving someone out. Many of the highlights for me were backing  the performers during their sets. Steve Cheney----  Donna Miller's singing, and what about the surprise vocal by Jeff Strouse!
I really enjoyed the on-stage jam (post Luau) with Paul when we  backed Gerald and Ian playing some up tempo stuff. They did a great job on "September in the Rain", etc. (Gerald must have snuk off with the Hula dancers---or was that all just a dream?)
 
And, before I forget it, where the (expletive) were you Harry? I wanted to hear the other half of Malaguena.
 

Joliet was a blast.  Making it there was not a certainty for me until the very last minute, so I count myself lucky to be there and it was lovely to see and hear old friends and make new ones.  
 
Kay

Mahalo, Terry, for all the kudos. I wasn't looking to change my style, just expanding and learning music more in depth like a lot of you guys are. It's very admirable and inspiring to know about chords and how they're put together. Sure, traditional Hawaiian is quite basic and pattern based. Music outside of that is a little more complex and that's the kind of stuff I'd like to learn. That's where arrangements and personal touches are added into a song. I'm sure you can agree with that.
 
But the bottom line is it's always a pleasure just to share music and styles with everyone else. Sure, others may be more advanced than some but that's not what the convention is all about. It's about sharing how one feels about music and how it moves them. That's the beauty of it and that's why I enjoy sharing it and making others laugh no matter what stage of playing they're in. A beginner can play from the heart even better than the fastest or most advanced player. It's all about the the feeling of the song and not how complex it's played. Everyone there was great in their own right and I hope it's that idea that keeps them getting back on stage to "share" more than to "perform" for others. Maybe it's that perspective that I take that makes me seem "cool" to you, Terry. I think it's more of an expression of what I feel more than a recital. Anyway, I think I'm rambling too much. Keep up the great work, all you musicians, and hope to jam with you all soon.
Aloha,
Paul

I'm sure if you contact Paul Weaver, you can get a copy of his DVD. It may take a while but he recorded all 3 days.
Paul