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"I want to share an account about Gordon "Manuel" Freitas, who on May 12, 2003 was a first-time presenter in our E Kanikapila Kakou 2003 program. He is sure to be invited back many more times, as he gained many new fans by the end of the evening. Honolulu's Local Folk Troubador, new to E Kanikapila Kakou participants,is now an unabashed champion of EKK and one of the "Please come back again!" presenters for the Monday night Hawaiian music program sponsored by Garden Island Arts Council. He shared his Pearl Harbor songs (Peaceful Arizona & BB-39) from the Hawai'i Music Award winning PATRIOTIC ALBUM of the YEAR. It brought tears to our eyes as the songs were written by one who lived and knew the experiences of men and women in uniform ... patriots who so proudly dedicate their lives to serving our country.   He also shared his deep love for the local lifestyle and the AINA as he taught us the same songs that he taught whole schools of children. His pride in his heritage is echoed in many of the songs that he has composed (Blazin' Paddles, Sing Hawaiian Sing, and Aina). He is also proud to share paniola cowboy stories.  When Gordon said he would teach us to yodel, he meant it.  After a couple of rounds of Paniola Yodel we all felt like we were yodeling in unison. He kept praising us on how quickly we caught on. Then he started to "gas 'um" and picked up the pace and then we knew we were left in the dust. We saw his horse ride off into the sunset. Auwe! Mahalo to Keith Haugen for sending this talented composer/performer our way."

  --Carol K. Yotsuda,
    Garden Island Arts Council PO Box 827 Lihue, HI 96766

"LOCAL FOLK at Cheeseburger in Paradise absolutely rocks. Todd is just amazing with all those sounds dude. Thanks for playing those requests for our demanding gang. American Pie still rocks. Your African Blues was really happening too. We'll definitely pass your website around..."

  --College Dudes

"We saw you Patriots on the internet broadcast getting a Hawai'i Music Award for PATRIOTIC ALBUM OF THE YEAR, 2003. Read it a few times in the newspaper and saw some good reviews... definitely a first, especially with Senator Dan Inouye, Bob Nelson and that simple but moving CD cover. As a retired soldier I did grasp your concept for showing the red on the folded flag. On behalf of many others like myself, I thank you, Keith Haugen & Don Humphrey for remembering our country's veterans."

  --USA (retired)

"Your song CHILDREN ARE WAITING, (written to benefit Hawaii Foster Kids) is my favorite. I think the only new original stuff on that 'Hawai'i Sings For The Children' cd came from Peter Apo, Melveen Leed and maybe 4 others. You have donated such a wonderful gift. Anyway, I appreciate how you get into community action like this. God bless you!"

  --Foster Parent

"Congratulations on winning those 1998 Hawaii Music Awards for your music. I also saw ya in the paper and Hawaii Business magazine. Imua!"

  --Da office gang at Barber's Point

"Picked up your CD, Local Folk, and we LOVED it! Keep up the great work.... I love the stories you told and the way you weave them into your music. Can't wait for your next CD! We've already sent several CDs to our friends across the mainland. Do you need a fan club president?"

  -- One Middle-aged Domestic Diva

"'Local Folk' showcases the songwriting and guitar playing abilities of Gordon Freitas. A real departure from the local music being released... all Freitas originals... topical songs about local folks day to day life in Hawai'i... A very original album that has something to say!... (His new album arrives just six months later)...'Dreaming Beyond Aboriginal Art...' ...more thought provoking songs with instrumentation that never overwhelms the lyrics. On this album he extends his vision from Hawai'i to the outside world - and to the inner world of our hopes and dreams. Excuse us while we get on our soap box and holler: "HE'S A GREAT SONGWRITER! PAY ATTENTION!"

  -- One Tropical Disc Maui Music Store

"We got your CD LOCAL FOLK and we were amazed at the powerful lyrics and how they reached right out and touched us... our friends too."

  -- One Tourist

"From the mandolin lines on Pineapple Road to the steel guitar and ukulele duels on Paniola Yodel and Big Island... oh boy, is this some outstanding pickin'. The whole CD is an acoustic pickers delight! Me and my friends are already strummin' and singin' Wild Pig Hunter and Blue Tarpo'lin affordable home..."

  -- One Soldier

"Right on! Heard you on the radio and we think your music is really special and meaningful... we're proud to be represented by your lyrics and I think I've heard all 16 songs from your CD on the Big Island. We really get into Holualoa and Cheyenne Waiomina. Those songs can really take you back. Local Folk no ka oi !"

  -- One Aunty

"Heard you and Ric play Local Folk at the Ewa Plantation Fair... ho, just two of you was awesome! That song is a hit!...You go brother!"

  -- One Musician

"I'm glad I caught you at Montereys... I used to hear you on the radio everyday KINE... but where are you now? Where do we turn that dial? ...At least you had a good memory for remember me back in Jubilee's days. I thought I had all the CDs you played on since Bruddah Waltah and , then somebody showed me your credits on a Bula'ia album. You was everywhere.... We are all happy to see you finally got your own CD out! And it's all yours... straight from da heart... jus press... you do that for sure. Your songs are in a class of their own. Imua!"

  -- One Hawaiian

"I went to Borders and listened to your cd. I loved it so much I bought a copy. "Swept Away," "Wild Pig Hunter," and "Holualoa" are my favorites."

  -- A Hilo Resident

"Dude, I saw ya shredding some mean cowboy 'gittar' at the Pecos River Cafe with the Gator Creek Band. Wild Pig Hunter was slammin'! We also loved that waltz you sang about Cheyenne Waiomina (Wyoming). You make me proud to know about true Hawaiian cowboys... see, I'm from Wyoming and I wear a stetson and pointy boots... and now I know the story and I see Hawaii in a more positive way ."

  -- One Native Waiomina Cowboy

"Heard you jammin' Surfin' and Local Folk at Monterey Bay and Ala Moana. It sounded as 'right on' as any VH-1 alternative hit! What a groove. Be lookin' for you to break out beyond the local scene... You got what it takes... even with just you and your guitar. My friends and I were impressed by the real thing! Great CD !"

  -- One College Student

"I've traveled around the world with tunnel vision, never checking out the rich culture of the many places I've been... until I heard your songs. I've noticed a change in my outlook now... and yesterday I ate a 'lau lau' and 'sashimi'. As ya'll say, 'ono'! Just like your music! Now. I am very proud to be in Hawaii and I'm sharing this wonderful music of yours with the folks back home. Your stuff is kickin' in Cheyenne! And you don't fool me, I know a paniolo cowboy when I hear one. You're the real thing man. Thanks."

  -- One Wyoming cowboy in a sailor hat...
     or was it a sailor in a cowboy hat ?

"Every song on your CD is a beautiful work of art. It's fascinating to see a songwriter craft original music that portrays a particular part of the world... You're carving your own regional identity like Gordon Lightfoot and John Denver. The stories of Hawaii's people never sounded so good. Even my sister in New York understands them. Your CD is a classic in my collection and a standard gift item to all my friends."

  -- One Intellectual Lady from Florida

"We cruise to Pineapple Road and Local Folk all day., cuz ! Saw you playing the full on band and you guys was 'no ka oi' ! Like alternative and funky western... So dat's da cool folk sound ! Wild Pig Hunter and Surfin was slammin'!"

  -- One cool cruizer and the class of '97

"We were so happy to meet you at the Navy Exchange. Thanks for signing the CDs we bought to send home for Christmas. I tell all my friends about your music and how it is the ultimate gift of aloha. It's like getting a book about local Hawaii folk, but it's set to music. Swept Away, about the 1946 Hilo tidal wave was a powerful tribute."

  -- One Navy Officer's Better Half

"Not only did your 'Local Folk' appeal to my love for the arts and literature, but your music and the lyrics got me singing along right off the bat! I admire your ability to take a historical event in these islands and place it into a catchy song. 'Aina is my favorite to sing along... Swept Away, Cheyenne Waiomina, Big Island and Local Folk are truly works of art. Mahalo for passing on the stories... we love them all!"

  -- One Edumacator on the West Coast

"Every one of your songs is a beautiful representation of Hawaii. We recommend it highly to all our visiting friends and have already sent over a dozen of your CDs to the mainland. Local Folk has become a sort of postcard and a treasured souvenier."

  -- One Travel Agent in Hawaii

"Governors School of North Carolina? ME too!"..... " E.E. Smith Senior High School in Fayetteville, North Carolina? Me too! Wow! What a small world..."

  -- Two whale watchers I met on the Star of Honolulu

"Mahalo for enlightening us to the grass roots culture of your islands through 'Local Folk'. We just love your music. This is one definite "must have" keepsake... We grabbed a bunch for gifts and everyone loves it! "

  -- One Happy Couple from Tejas

"Mahalo for portraying our local people in such a dignified manner. Your songs tell people all around the world about us and we are proud of the way you tell our story and weave it into a sound that creates a bridge between us and the mainland. Jus' press that ukulele and Hawaiian steel guitar... The kids love it and tutu man loves it too!"

  -- One Big Island Family

"Gordo, after all these years I've known you I didn't know you were that good... I didn't realize it til I heard DREAMING BEYOND ABORIGINAL ART... You're GREAT!!!" (Gordon laughing out loud in the background)

  -- One TV Host

"I always thought you were a good guy and a good guitar player, but until I heard your two albums, I never knew you were that great a songwriter... and I mean really good, wow!"

  -- One Guitar Fixer

"Ya'll were solid at the Paniolo Festival... hour and a half of solid cowboy music and stories about the cowboys who were being inducted into the Paniolo Hall of Fame"

  -- Kualoa Ranch cowboy

"You and Todd sound great together at Cheeseburger in Paradise. We love all those classic seventies acoustic rock songs and your interpretations. You should be on the road, please come to Canada too!!"

  -- A Big Group of Maple Leaf fans

"Mahalo for giving us your usual performance--simply the BEST!!"

  -- Carolina Webmaster at the Kapiolani Bandstand Jam,
     Ho'olaulea nite