Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 21, Number 1, 1 January 2004 — Kamehameha release empowers Hawaiians through music [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Kamehameha release empowers Hawaiians through music

By Ikaika Rawlins I mua e nā pōki'i a inu i ka wai 'awa'awa. 'A'ohe hope e ho'i mai ai! Go forward, brothers, and drink of the bitter waters. There is no retreat! This phrase, memorialized by Kamehameha the Great in addressing his soldiers before entering into battle, is both the inspiration and the theme for a new CD produced by the Kamehameha Schools that boldly steps out of the sheltered confines of Kapālama, both musically and politically, making a very bold statement about our land, our culture and our future as kānaka. "The basic message of this CD is one of empowerment for Kānaka Maoli and a reaffirmation of our native Hawaiian identity," said Randie Fong, project co-producer and the head of Kamehameha Schools' Performing Arts Department. "Through 7 mua e nā

Pōki'i' we are striving to project powerful messages and images and are promoting our native truths and worldview. In an artistic way, this is very mueh a eall to action." The songs and chants on the CD, whieh includes compositions

and arrangements by

Fong and other contemporary

compsers as well 1 as traditional ' chants and songs, were all previously performed during the Hō'ike performance of the Kamehameha Schools'

annual Song Contest, whieh occurs while the judges are tallying the scores for eaeh class. However, onee Hō'ike was over, many of these songs and chants were never performed again, and, until now, never recorded. Interestingly, this CD does not have the typical "Kamehameha" sound, typified by choral music and traditional chants. "In order to

'catch' the largest number of Hawaiians and supporters of Hawaiian culture both here and globally, it was important to cast a significantly bigger net," said Fong. "However, the motivation to broaden the musical

styles on the CD was a natural occurrence; it just turned out

that way. The entire project just unfolded on its own with divine and ancestral

guidance." Highlights of the CD include "Mele o ke Ke'ena Kalaunu ," or "Song of the Crown Room," whieh captures a day in the life of Lili'uokalani during the time of the overthrow in vivid detail. When asked about the inspiration behind the song, Fong mentioned long conversations he had with John Dominis Holt at his home in

Pacific Heights. "These conversations would spark an endless litany of stories, anecdotes and historical secrets to whieh Mr. Holt was privy and whieh he was only too happy to impart." Two other standout tracks are also Fong compositions: "Aloha Tahiti " and "Nā 'Iehova nō i Hana ," featuring two prominent members of the Hawai'i R&B scene, Tanner Henderson of Chant and Kale Chang of Reign (who both happen to be Kamehameha alumni). From traditional Hawaiian chant to R&B and rock, "I mua e nā Pōki'i " is an eelee lie blend of the old and new, with a musical offering and a message of pride and empowerment for every ear. Find out more about the CD and the Kamehameha Hawaiian Cultural Center project at www.kaiwakiloumoku.ksbe.edu. Ikaika Rawlins is a trustee aiāe at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. ■

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