Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 16, Number 10, 1 ʻOkakopa 1999 — Hui Hanai publishes long-awaited songbook [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Hui Hanai publishes long-awaited songbook

By Manu Boyd / OLLECTIONS OF Hawaiian songs and poetry f g Jhave been published for decades, reveahng the I Ē H inner-most thoughts and feelings of composers ĒJp J whose works reflect their diverse hfe experi1 1/ ences. Prolific Hawahans such as Charles Ē. King, Hc!&q Desha Beamer and Johnny Almeida have provided a weahh of material suitable for performances ranging from solos and duets to full choral orchestrations. But eompositions by the ah'i, including "Nā Lani 'Ehā" (the four royal composers of the Kalākaua family) and many before them, have intrigue indicative of those born into the noble class of rulers and leaders. In honor of thel61st birthday anniversary of Queen Lili'uokalani, Hui Hānai, an auxiliary of Lili'uokalani Trust, has assembled "The Queen 's Songbook," more than a quarter of a century in the making. Featured are 55 of the Queen's own compositions, and 5 that are associated with her, including, " Nani Haili Pō i ka Lehua ," credited to Lili'uokalani's hānai mother, Laura Kanaholo Konia, mother of Princess Pauahi. The Queen's best-known mele, " Aloha 'Oe," " Ku 'u Pua i Paoakalani" and "Sanoe," are among the dozens of selections.

"It's very satisfying to have such a beautiful product," Hui Hānai President Agnes Conrad said of the songbook, designed by Barbara Pope. "Original songbook committee members, Emerson Smith and Kekuni Blaisdell, were instrumental in getting the project off the ground 25 years ago, but it wās aftēr Dorothy Gillette retired from the university that she took the project on a full-tfrne, volunteer basis. Gillette, along with her mother, Dorothy Kahananui, selected the songs for inclusion. What we present here is not the queen's entire collection, estimated at around 150 songs, but, rather, are what they considered 'the cream of the crop,' musically and poetically." Smith's main contribution to the project was researching the stories surrounding the songs, and establishing the chronology of events. To better appreciate the value of the poetry, one must delve into the events of the day that may have influenced the work. Of the queen's song, " 'Onipa 'a," Smith writes, "The motto 'Onipa'a (Stand Firm) was first used by King Kamehameha V, and Lili'uokalani later adopted it as her own. This simple sōng probably was written soon after Aug. 20, 1864, when Kamehameha V proclaimed a new constitution that restricted the vote, strengthened the power of the crown, and roused the ire of prominent haole citizens who feared that the king's eoneem for the rights and culture See SONGBOOK on page 14

Mo'ī Wahine Lili'uokalani, 1838 - 1917

SONGBOOK From page 11

of Hawaiians would mean that their own would receive short shrift." BORN LYDIA Lili'u Loloku Walania Kamaka'eha in 1838, the queen's names all reflect intense pain suffered by her aunt, High Chiefess Kīna'u. The formal name "Lili'uokalani" was bestowed upon her mueh later by her brother, King

Kalakaua, who considered it mueh

more appropriate to a regent serving while he was away touring the world in 1881. Events

throughout her life, 1 though, would prove her birth names ominous, as she faced many challenges and setbacks in her 89 years. Yet the queen found comfort in music whieh, along with her reli£iious trainine and

innate sense of connectedness to her ancient heritage.

Books and exclusive distributor of the "The Queen's Songbook ," says the project has shed new light on her own historical and political ideologies. "In mueh the same way the discovery of the 1897 anti-annexation petitions impacted our people, I really feel that chapter is

closed, and it's time to move on. The queen rose above her unbearable turmoil with dig-

nity and grace. Mie put her pain in a plaee that was productive. This publication is filled with information, k is totally apoliheal, and

ean guide us into the next phase, following her example." " The Queen's Songl book" includes an i index of first lines, ■ extensive references, §1 mo'olelo on the

songs. translations and extensive, pre- » viously unpub-

lished photonranhs of the aueen

and the people and occasions that were a part of her life. Distributed

exclusively by Native Books, 1244 North School Street, Honolulu, HI 96817, the publication may be ordered by calling toll-free, 1 (800) 887-7751. Email: nataivebk@lava.net website: www.nativebookshawaii.com ■

Princesses Ka'iulani, Lili'uokalani and Po'omaikelani enjoy a day with family and friends at the Waimānalo ranch of John Cummins. Outings like these around the islands inspired many of Lili'u's compositions.

: -o X m : O ' m m : e; | m ■ e n I O Z W o o : x

helped her maintain a sense of inner peaee until her passing in 1917. In her autobiography, Queen Lili'uokalani wrote, "to compose was as natural to me as to breathe." Maile Meyer, president of Native