Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 23, Number 2, 1 Pepeluali 2006 — HOLUNAPE SERVES UP PLEASANTLY SEASONED UAWAIIAN FARE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HOLUNAPE SERVES UP PLEASANTLY

SEASONED UAWAIIAN FARE

By Manu Būyd Public lnfūrmatiūn Birectur Although Holunape just recently emerged into the world of loeal recording artists, they are among the few groups these days who established themselves first by gigging regularly for

years. These young men - Kama Hopkins, Kanai'a Nakamura and Kekoa Kaluhiwa - have shared their brand of Hawaiian music at loeal eateries, clubs, fundraisers and hula competitions, establishing a name and great reputation. Previously known as

"Kilinahe" (whieh also included Keola Chan), the quartet-turned-trio has a new name - Holunape - describing the gentle bending and swaying of fronds in the breeze. Flexibility is definitely key in the longevity and consistency of any performing

ensemble, and these guys have the potential staying power. Holunape's focus is Hawaiian all the way. 'Ōlelo Hawai'i is easily handled by the trio, who individually and eolleetively have a deep appreciation [ for Hawaiian language. Kama Hopkins - who composed two of the CD's originals - has taught at Pūnana Leo o Ko'olauloa, where pre-schoolers learn entirely in Hawaiian. Hopkins is a product of strong musical genes through his tūtū, entertainer Momi Bee Kahawai'ōla'a, and the legendary Aunty Genoa Keawe is his great-grand-aunt. Hopkins' two mele show diversity: Ka Pua o Ku'u 'l'ini is a lovely tribute to the 'a'ali'i blossom, and the second, more kolohe, number, Holo Lio, purports to speak of a horseback ride - 'o ia paha, 'a'ole paha. Also with two original tunes is award-winning haku mele (composer) lulian Keikilani Ako, including the title cut, He 'Olu, composed for the home

of Miehael and Bina Chun in Waimea, Hawai'i - eool and elean in the ealm shelter of Mauna Kea. In the CD liner notes, Ako describes "he 'olu" as the state of being "when we feel eompletely comfortable, satisfied and at ease." That theme carries throughout the CD in other selections by noted composers, including Lena Machado's tribute to hula master Sally Wood Naluai in her mele inoa (name song) Moanike'aīaonāpuamakahikina. Nene'u by Abigail Pililā'au, describes the rustling sea and gentle Kaiāulu breeze near her home at Wai'anae, O'ahu. Among the old-school hula classics is a rousing, doublestrum rendition of Iā 'Oe e ka Lā e 'Alohi. nei, reminding us of King Kalākaua's 1881 world tour and his fancy for music and hula as a renaissance man. Like the "Merrie Monarch," Holunape's pleasantly seasoned fare of "mele Hawai'i" (Hawaiian music) will like ly take them far. S

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