INTRODUCTION: This is the unabridged version of a small piece of the December 2000 installment of Ki`ihele, my column for ISLAND SERVER, Hawai`i's premiere entertainment magazine. If you'd like to read the finished column, please click here.

When Keali`i Reichel began looking for a Web designer, he didn't have to go far. He already had a relationship with one of the hottest design agencies on Maui.

"We've been using Tradewind Graphics since the beginning, mostly for album designs. Then they said, 'Oh, by the way, we're getting into Web design!'" recalls Reichel. "We've since had offers from two or three designers on the Mainland. But the cost was astronomical! And because Tradewind is here on Maui, we've been able to maintain control over the site."

But it's a very mellow sort of control. "Keali`i has always been supportive of our creativity and abilities, and has allowed us great freedom in choosing how to design his site," says Susan Rodehorst, the lead designer of Reichel's Web presence. "Since we've worked with him since his first CD, we have become familiar with his style and Hawai`ian themes, and have created a type of identity for him. Carrying this over to his site was a fairly easy transition. However, the Web offers much more dynamic capabilities, supplying us with a larger platform for creativity."

With just three designers, Tradewind Graphics has amassed an impressive portfolio. Its projects have included several magazine publications, rack cards, brochures, T-shirts, music CD designs, and Web development for Lahaina Cannery Mall, Maui Economic Development Board and Hawai`ian Riders, to name a few.

Designer's Toolkit

Since the birth of Reichel's Web presence seven months ago, the site has grown to over 15 pages; new photos and information are constantly being added and updated. Content is provided by Fred Krauss, Reichel's manager, and Rodehorst weaves it into the visual themes of the handsome site, which she built entirely with hand-coded HTML.

Rodehorst enjoys working with Flash technology, and has found creative ways to use it on Reichel's site. "The addition of animation has been an exciting part of creating the site. I wanted to portray Keali`i on the cutting edge of technology and creativity, yet provide a hub of information for his fans. Flash allows me to incorporate animation without compromising download time."

Speed is an important issue for Reichel. A Mac user who does a lot of work with graphics and video, the artist laughingly describes himself as a "dual processor, G4 wannabe". "It's always been a balance between aesthetic beauty and convenience for the server," he observes. "Not everybody has DSL or cable."

The Apple of the Public Eye

As Reichel travels the world, his Web presence is kept fresh and dynamic with additions and revisions. "The second page after the Intro is always posted with new information and updates," comments Rodehorst. "The site's photo gallery is consistently updated with candid photos. In addition, an up-to-date concert calendar is posted for fans to see where Keali`i will be next."

Has the online schedule really made a difference for the Maui artist? "The publicity has helped immeasurably on the mainland," reports Reichel, whose band has a lot of scheduling challenges and must limit its off-island gigs. "Everybody has day jobs, kids, that sort of thing. So when we do gigs outside Hawai`i, we are picky and choosy." His site is instrumental in helping to attract Mainland audiences who can stay abreast of tour dates there.

"We did a Portland show in April, and the majority of the publicity was done on the 'Net," adds Krauss. "There were 3,000 seats – and we sold out a week before the concert!"

New Features, Classic Concepts

A number of sites dedicated to Hawai`ian music include a link to Reichel's site. The most noteworthy of these is probably NahenaheNet, a dense and comprehensive collection of links to pages focusing on Hawai`ian music, culture, language, and opinion.

These areas are, of course, near and dear to Reichel's heart. He wants his site to become a useful tool for performing artists living outside Hawai`i, trying to learn more about Hawai`ian language and hula. "When time allows, I want to take my lyrics and have them linked to pages with words and sound and maps of the places the songs are about," he says. "I want to include the historical/mythological/traditional aspects of that particular place, to give a full picture of its poetry. I really believe you need to have that imagery to be able to sing well about a place."

Reichel's designer embraces his vision, as it provides her with the opportunity to implement some of the skills she continues to acquire. "Being fairly new to Web design, it is encouraging to challenge myself with new ideas of how to expand the site creatively and keep it fresh," says Rodehorst. "We are currently working on adding sound and more MP3 files."

Stronger Connections

Getting close to fans without compromising personal safety or privacy can be a huge challenge for popular artists. The process of developing and maintaining closer relationships with fans has been greatly facilitated by the Internet, at least for Reichel. For the release of his third album, he participated in a special chat room. "There were over 100 people, all asking questions at once. It got overloaded and shut down!" he laughs ruefully.

Fluent in the language of his `aina, and conversant in Internet culture, the musician has participated in Hawai`ian language chat rooms. He occasionally reads posts on three major Hawai`ian newsgroups, particularly soc.culture.hawaii. "Once in a blue moon, I'll even post something myself," he confesses. After a moment, he adds, laughing, "But never under my own name!"

Keali`i Reichel is one of the world's best-known, biggest-selling Hawai`ian artists. Visit his site at www.kealiireichel.com.

Susan Rodehorst of Tradewind Graphics in Kihei, Maui is a full-time Web designer and graphic artist. See more of her work at www.tradewindgraphics.com.