Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 29, Number 11, 1 Nowemapa 2012 — Home holidays for the [?] [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Home holidays for the

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By Francine Murray

The 2012 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Male Vocalist of the Year, Kuana Torres Kahele sings holiday tunes with raging hot vocals in his eool new alhum, HiIofor the Hoīidays. Weleome as an old friend, the 10 tracks are a perfect halanee of classics and originals with both festive and charming lyrics as in the title song written by Kahele, "Hilo for the Holidays." "It's to Hilo that I go, back to the poi and hō'i'o," he sings. "Where the 'ohana hīmeni o kalikimaka ē. There's no other plaee for me, not Kahului or Waikīkī. Oh it's Hilo for the holidays for me." The fun continues with "Here comes Santa

in a Red Canoe" composed by Johnny Kamano, and "Iesu E Komo Mai" a composition from Ni'ihau's Mama Ane Kanahele, whieh makes you want to elap your hands and shake your hips. "Christmas Don't be Late" by Ross Bagdasarian is also featured in Hawaiian by Torres. "I Guess

it's Christmas," a Torres original, is sure to one day be a classic.

In " 'Ekolu Mea Nui/Halelū," the first song was composed by Robert Nawāhine in 1925 based on a passage from Corinthians. To eollaborate with the church song, Kahele wrote "Halelū" based on a passage from Psalms. Together the two songs have formed an exquisite holiday medley. There's a familiar feeling of Christmas with traditional pieces like "Silver Bells" and "The First Noel," but "Home for the Holidays" with a twist of Kahele in the lyrics is terrific. A wonderful stocking stuffer, Hiīo for the Holidays is available at music stores across the state and online at mountainapplecompany. eom or napalapalaimusic.com. P.S. we smile every time we see the picture of Kahele's dog on the compact disc. Enjoy ! ■

CD REVIEW

Hilo for the Holidays Kuana Toppes Kahele Mountain Apple Co.

Na Hōkū Hanohano Male Vocalist of the Year, Kuana Torres - Photo: Niek Masagatani