As it turns out, Ikaia-Purdy's family is a most musical one. In addition to the above mentioned Palani Vaughn - "beautiful baritone, could have sung opera, easy!"- on his mother's side are his cousins Michael and Billy Lowe, the first a slack key guitarist, the second active in rock. All of his aunts and uncles sing and play ukulele, including his oldest living Auntie Bertha, who still sings, chants and dances, for her daughter's Hula school in the San Francisco Bay Area. Hawaiian slack key legend Sonny Chillingsworth is from his father's Purdy Ohana. In fact, the tenor's late father was a capable guitarist. And his niece Darcey is a Cazimero, from the Brothers CAZ Ohana - probably Hawaii's most famous entertainers.

The ancient Hawaiian handicrafts are also alive in his family, where, together with Auntie Bertha, his Auntie Foony is recognized as one of the State's masters in the crafting of leis, Hawaii's famous hand-woven flower and leaf necklaces. "When I was asked to fly back to Hawaii a few years ago to co-host the German television magazine ‘Nix wie Raus' the crew was so impressed with my Aunty Foony's lei making and knowledge of our Island culture that I am pretty sure she ended up being in the show more than I was! They keep re-broadcasting that episode - so I have friends all over Europe that feel like they know her."   

Certainly one of the tenor's proudest moments occurred when he was invited by the Hawaiian legislature to sing at the State's capital. On that occasion a bill was passed recognizing his contribution to Hawaii and its rich cultural heritage.  A copy of the Resolution signed by all of the State's Assemble members, including its author, opera lover and singer Alex Santiago, hangs proudly on his bedroom wall. 
 

Opera with the Aloha Spirit: The practical realities

So what does this all, as a practical matter mean? First, it certainly goes a long way to explaining Ikaia-Purdy's utter lack of arrogance and egotism, and his extreme discomfort in situations where western culture demands "self assertiveness." In Hawaiian culture snobbishness is flatly taboo. This orientation may well be somewhat disadvantageous in the modern operatic world, particularly in a Western society which teaches its children "nice guys finish last" and "the squeaky wheel gets the grease." Efforts of the tenor's managers and agents to get him to "show some teeth every once in awhile," fall on deaf ears. He is committed to the belief that if he "does the work well - always improving," honors his commitments, and "creates no tension," he will be rewarded with a successful career.