Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 15, Number 11, 1 November 1998 — Hea mai nā leo ʻōieve: native voices fill the airwaves [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Hea mai nā leo ʻōieve: native voices fill the airwaves

Īhis year, kanaka maoli have released dozens of island recordings ranging from traditional Hawaiian to Hip Hop, from reggae to rock. This month, we feature four groups, eaeh comprised of kāne (men) who love what they do.

By Manu Boyd 3D — "In Living Color" The multi-talented Del Beazley appears in yet

another grouping, this time, with Dwight Kana'e and David "Kawika" Kahiapo in a smooth, well-done production, "In Living Color." Collectively the "3 Ds," Dwight, David and Del are proven solo artists who, together, create a kind of musical magic that seasoned artists ean muster. Beazley,

the Hōkū Award-winning composer, offers "Aloha No More," a tune about a Hawaiian boy and girl who struggle to hold on to their Hawaiian world in a time when aloha is often obscured by others not rooted here. His musical prowess is found in the

meiouy i\aniapo," penned by Māhoelehua. The windward O'ahu boys, alone or together, continue to add to the repertoire of island music that is palatable to many tastes. From "Huaka'i Hele " by Kahiapo and his cousin Keao

NeSmith to Jim Croce's "Time in a i Bottle" 3D excels in traditional Hawaiian to musical genres from far I across the sea. Ho'aloha "After the Rain" Ho'aloha, the quartet of Guy Matthew Ho'alohalani Paredes, Jonathon Hermosura, Christopher Isaac Mercado and Frank Su'a, presents "After the Rain," a Fat Katz Pro- I ductions debut of fresh material reflecting a contemporary spirit. The 1 title cut, "After the Rain," by Su'a is clearly a hit with great lyrics and a solid performance. Fellow musicians Fiji, Baba B., Greg Sardinha, Sean Na'auao, Byron Yasui and Sam Keli'iho'omalu add support to the recording effort. Liner notes by recording veteran Fiji (George Veikoso) aptly

describe his zest for music and the recording arts saying, "The joy of doing something you love is irreplaceable and like Ho'aloha, I wouldn't trade it for the world." continued on page 16

"Hea Mai Na Leo 'Oiwi" Continued from page 15 I Kona "Hawai'i I Ka Pu'uwai" I Kona, the original trio of Ledward Ka'āpana, Alika Odom and Bernard Kalua, is back! Not having recorded together since 198 1, Led, Alika and Bernard have nonetheless been prolific in the Hawaiian music industry. In particular, the slack-key mastery of Ka'apana has taken him far, promoting the kī hō'alu (slack key) art form he learned well

from his unele, Fred Punahoa. "Hawai'i I Ka Pu 'uwai" (Hawaiian Heart) is like stepping back in time to Chuck's Cellar on Lewers Street, the long-time Waikīkī gig of the trio. Classics like "Lei 'Ohu," "Lū'au Hula " and "Ka 'Iwa " are perfect fare for the hula-minded. "Come on Over" brings to mind the Hui 'Ohana to whieh Ka'āpana formerly belonged along with his brother Ned and cousin, falsetto leg-

end Dennis Pavao. Like the members of I Kona, this project is easy going and easy listening, touching the heart of what makes Hawaiian music so enjoyable to so many. Kūlia "Kūlia" The recent grouping of Royal Keli'i Cavaco, Pat Kalani Angua, Herbert "Gerb" Kealoha Jr., Danny Boy Kaheaku. Arthur "Ata" Maeal-

lanes and Quintin Kaleo Keli'ikoa, truly lives up to their name. "Kūlia," to strive, as for excellence, is the self-titled CD produced by Fat Katz Productions that displays a good mix of Hawaiian contemporary with "Aunty Wacky Kanacky," "Ka Ua Loku," "I'm in Love" and "Pua Bonita." Reacting to Kūlia's performance was Governor Ben Cayetano who is quoted in the CD booklet. "We enjoyed Kūlia's music so mueh, we invited them to Washington Plaee for an encore performance," he said. ■