Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 16, Number 8, 1 ʻAukake 1999 — Performers with friends and family in eommon release innovative projects [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Performers with friends and family in eommon release innovative projects

By Manu Boyd

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fOLLOWING UP on their debut CD, "Pūko 'a Kani 'Āina ," is "Vaihi," the quartet whose talented friends and 'ohana from Hawai'i and Tahiti joined in shaping "Can You Imagine ," one of Hawai'i's first interactive record-

ings. Pop the CD into your lolouila (computer) and an interactive CD Rom with music, photos and video will fill the screen. Vaihi, with group leader Aaron Ka'ōnohi, Bruce Nalua'i, Peter "Piko" Lakatani and Samuela Langi, seem to be guiding loeal music into the new century with innovative technology. However, the technology only eomplements the music, and the music is great. With smooth voices and adept instrumentation, Vaihi displays a variety of moods and styles, yet eaeh pieee fits together, making " Can

You Imagine", hardly figmental. This project was well thought out. Of the 14 originals, 1 1 were composed, at least

in part, by family member S. Tetuanui Ka'ōnohi. All are well done, but the prevalence of Ka'ōnohi's spirit and savvy lay the creative and intriguing framework. "Ku 'u Pua Kiele" speaks of a gardenia

whose ffagrance permeates at dawn. It is upbeat and, for the hula-minded, danceable. Keao NeSmith's "Ku 'u Kapena Kele," employs kaona decribing a tall-masted canoe's journey to Mt. Aparimahiti in Tahiti and Vaira'o, where a cherished flower is recalled, and continues on seeking new harbors. "Me and My Baby," adds a Polynesie Francaise flavor with vocals, and a French intro by Mauria Felix. "Te Rima o te Hau " really drives home the HawaiianTahitian connection. After all, "Vaihi," a Tahitian name, means 1) waters spring forth; 2) surfacing, to emerge; and 3) Hawai'i.

And, ean you imagine? Vaihi's "Can You Imagine" was recorded in Tahiti. Maururu roa, maita'i! B

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