Memorable mele: Your favorite Hawaiian music, part 1

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Asking readers to share their favorite Hawaiian songs and performances in last Sunday's Hawai'i Insider unleashed a lot of audio and anecdotes -- so much so that I'm dividing their intriguing responses over two days, starting today.

I've included some Youtube videos with full-length performances (not necessarily authorized by the musicians), but you can also click on song titles for links to MP3 samples, or audio-video files where MP3 samples were not available; I've also mentioned upcoming live shows where possible. If you're moved to send in one of your favorites that's not listed here today or tomorrow, feel free to e-mail me at hawaii.insider@gmail.com, and I'll run another roundup later. Mahalo everyone for the musical tips!

In completely random order, here are the first five faves:

1. "He Aloha No O Honolulu," performed by Teresa Bright, composed by Lot Kauwe.

"She has a voice like velvet," writes reader Michael Cordova of San Francisco. "If you don't like this song from the moment you hear it, me thinks you have no soul." Thoughtfully including a video set to the song, Michael also noted, "It's quite a sexual song when translated to English," but you'll never guess that from the images of Honolulu in the video (posted below). Better read the notes with the lyrics on the authoritative Huapala.org Web site.

Hear it live: Bright next performs Dec. 22 at Chai's Island Bistro, Honolulu.




2. "Kaulana Kawaihae," performed by IZ (Israel Kamakawiwo'ole), written by Kailihune Alama Naai (lyrics here.)

This song carries a lot of meaning for reader Angela Hedges of Sunnyvale, who writes:

Staying far from town in a house on the Big Island, my husband and I enjoyed the quiet beauty of a land so ancient in tradition and yet so new in formation. We drove to the island's remote corners with Hawaiian music as our soundtrack and this song's soft melody quickly became my favorite.

Heading to the house one evening we passed Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park and on the spot decided to hike out to the flowing lava. We stood for hours in the darkness watching new land formed before our eyes. When I hear this song, the memory of that night comes rushing back and with it a sense of wonder at our tiny place on this vast and ever-changing planet.

Angela also shared her favorite picture from that night, posted below.

IZ's

Angela Hedges

IZ's "Kaulana Kawaihae" reminds Angela Hedges of this magical night on Hawai'i.


Hear it live: Sadly, IZ has been gone for 13 years now, but his former bandmates still perform as the Mākaha Sons. The band's "Mākaha Kalikimaka" show Dec. 22 at the Pagoda Hotel in Honolulu includes a prime rib buffet and hula; tickets are $60 (see the Web site for details.) The group also makes Northern California appearance at the Montalvo Arts Center Carriage House in Saratoga Jan. 16 (tickets $30 and $35) and at Harlow's in Sacramento Jan. 18 ($25 in advance, $30 at the door.)


3. "Ku'u Home O Kahalu'u," by Olomana, composed by Jerry Santos.

O'ahu native Patty Dumphy Benson, now living in St. Louis comments:

Every time I hear that song I think of home on the Windward Side and to this day that song give me the chills (chicken skin) and I always shed some tears. I think of the many times I have seen that song performed and every trip home, I always make sure I go to see Jerry perform. Hearing him do the song live is so special.

Benson couldn't resist also recommending Olomana's "Home," written by Robert Beaumont and Clifford Hopps. "So makes me want to go back home to Hawai'i, "she notes. "Although I live in the Midwest, I still listen to KINE FM via computer and just love listening to all those old Hawaiian songs."

I hear you, Patty. To paraphrase Michael Cordova, if you don't feel nostalgic listening to "Ku'u Home O Kahulu'u," methinks you have no soul.

Hear it live: Santos performs in Honolulu most Friday and Saturday nights with Olomana at the Tapa Bar in Hilton Hawaiian Village and solo Monday nights at Chai's Island Bistro.




4. "Kaleohano," performed by Maunalua and composed by Moon Kauakahi (of the Mākaha Sons.)

Noting that the song was originally performed by IZ and the Mākaha Sons many years ago, Mary Gellish of San Francisco writes, "Maunalua's contemporary version has absolutely beautiful guitar solos." The song "tells of the beauty of Keaukaha" in the Hilo district, she adds, and is found on the group's "Ho'okanaka" CD.

Hear it live: Maunalua can frequently be found at Duke's Canoe Club in Waikiki from 4 to 6 p.m. Fridays.


5. "Guava Jelly," performed by the Ka'au Crater Boys and written by Bob Marley (yes, that Bob Marley.)

"This is my favorite Hawaiian song, because although I was bornon O'ahu, my husband grew up in Jamaica. So this song merges our two backgrounds," explains Carol Tang of El Cerrito. "Plus, it is just a fun song and I have a hard time getting the Ka'au Crater Boys' version out of my head after hearing it!

These days that's considered a Jawaiian song, but given the popularity of the song (and actual guava jelly) popularity in Hawai'i, we'll let it count as Hawaiian music. (Trivia note: Bob's son Stephen Marley produced the 2008 version by Maui's "American Idol" finalist Camile Velasco.)

Hear it live:Ka'au Crater Boys Ernie Cruz Jr. and Troy Fernandez have gone their separate ways. But Fernandez, who recently released the all-instrumental "Hawaiian Style Ukulele 2," teaches 'ukulele and can occasionally be spotted busking on Kalākaua Avenue. Cruz, part of a renowned musical family, often accompanies his cousin, multiple Grammy-nominee Amy Hānaiali'i.


Posted By: Jeanne Cooper (Email, Twitter) | December 15 2010 at 04:42 PM

Listed Under: Entertainment