Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 28, Number 7, 1 July 2010 — Taking inspiration from Nihoa [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Taking inspiration from Nihoa

By Francine Murray KaWai Ola t's been seven years sinee her debut album, Na'u 'Oe, was released. It was so good she won four Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards for it. Kainani Kahaunaele, the talented Hawaiian musie eomposer has had renowned artists sueh as Weldon Kekauoha, Aaron Salā and Nā Leo reeord her songs. Her voiee is warm yet smooth as silk, eoupled with her poetie mele making her new CD is a true delight. The musie of Kahaunaele transeends beauty, and with her nine originals on the new CD, 'Ōhai 'Ula, the variety is amazing. The title song, though new, feels and sounds like a treasured memory. " 'Ōhai 'Ula" was inspired by Nihoa with love for the aneestors. Also on the CD are: "Eia

Ke Aloha," whieh has the rhythm of a tropieal stroll kissed by moonlight, speaks about a special impromptu evening, and "Ka 'Ōahi Nowelo," is full of kaona and romance, but speaks of the famed practice of hurling firebrands off Mt. Makana. The strumming will move you as Kahaunaele recalls a full moon over Hilo in "Mahinakauahiahi." "Nani Wale Ka'uiki" is a mele wahi pana, song for a special plaee, Hāna, Maui. "Pua'ala" is a mele inoa for Aunty Aileen Pua'ala Enos. "Ke 'Ala 'lliahi" is a tribute to the people of our generation. "Wahineko'olau" is for and about the hard-working women of Ko'olaupoko, who as Kahaunaele says, "are committed to caring for their 'āina, 'ohana and community through cultural practice, education and sustainability." A charming song of the riches of the land,

"Waikū'auhoe" means water of the paddle handle, a plaee on Kaua'i where fishermen used to visit the waterfall and extend their paddles up into the fall, drinking the fresh water that llowed down the paddle. Kahaunaele's CD also features three classic songs: "Ho'omāke'aka" written by James K. Kaholokula is good-fun listening with the sound of youth giggling in the background. Yes, these Hawaiian riddles are ingenious in their play on words. "Lei Pukana" by the beloved Haunani Bernardino won first plaee in 1976 for its Hawaiian lyrics at the KCCN Search for Songs Contest. This was pre-Hōkū awards. Kaimana, whose members included Haunani Bernardino, Haunani Apoliona, Aaron Mahi and Aldon Akamine, first recorded the song. This album wraps up real tight with a remake of "Standing In the Rain" by Francois Kahale. 'Ōhai 'Ula is available at Borders or online at the world's largest Hawaiian music store, www.HawaiianMusicStore.com. ■

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'Ōhai 'Ula Kainani Kahaunaele Mōhuahua Music