Hawaiian Favorites

Honolulu, Hawai`i, December 2001... Hawai`i, renowned "Pearl of the Pacific," is captivating... a magnificent island paradise rich with superlatives.  From the wettest spot in the world at Kauai's Mt. Waialeale, to our planet's youngest site at the volcanic wonderland of the Big Island, Hawai`i abounds with unsurpassed scenery.  The lush beauty combined with the warmth of the People, their loving spirit of aloha and "hang loose" attitude, make Hawai`i an outstanding locale for fun, relaxation and romance.

Hawai`i's Favorite Songs takes you on a musical journey around this island paradise, featuring song favorites you hear while enjoying Hawai`i's people and places.

We also hope this selection of Hawai`i's most requested songs will bring back wonderful memories of your visit to the islands - to enjoy wherever you are - until you return again.  Think of glorious sunsets, pour a mai tai, light the tiki torches, relax and enjoy this musical souvenir of Hawai`i.  Lyric translations and photos included!
 

Maui no ka oi (Maui is the best) is a phrase frequently heard in the islands.  From the white sand beaches and sunny shores of Ka`anapali, to breathtaking sunrises at Haleakala and the lush, green splendor of Hana, the Valley Isle's beauty is unsurpassed!

Maui's Favorite Songs takes you on a musical journey around this island paradise, featuring the songs you'll hear while enjoying Maui's beautiful people and places.  We hope this selection of Maui's most-requested songs will bring back wonderful memories of time spent on the Valley Isle - to enjoy wherever you are - until you return again.  Recall a glorious sunset, pour a mai tai and light the tiki torches... Relax and enjoy this musical souvenir of Maui.  Lyrics, translations and color scenic photos included!
 

Hula Records announces the release of it's third budget-priced CD, Kauai's Favorite Songs.  From the pristine sands of Lumaha`i Beach and the panoramic views from Kilauea Lighthouse, to the lush vegetation of Wailua River's Fern Grotto and the Hanalei river Valley - the beauty of Kauai is unsurpassed!

Kauai's Favorite Songs takes you on a musical journey around the "Garden Isle" featuring songs you'd likely hear while visiting Kauai.  As with previous CD's in this series, Bruddah Aweau and his Hukilau Hawaiians bring new life to these old standards with their contemporary interpretations.  An, as always, lyrics, translations and color scenic photos complete the package.
 

• "The music and the performances are exquisite."  - John Berger, Honolulu Star-Bulletin
• "Hawaiian artistry in the old-style tradition." - Wayne Harada, Honolulu Advertiser
• "His voice is robust, and his Hawaiian, flawless." - Manu Boyd, Ka Wai Ola o OHA
• "To the hula-minded, Kawai's music is as danceable as it gets." - Manu Boyd, Ka Wai Ola o OHA

"Lovers, collectors and students of Hawaii's music will welcome this release by Hula Records as an opportunity to savor anew, these musical treasures from the past half-century.  This retrospective, from producer Don McDiarmid, Jr., affords us a rare collection of some of Hawaii's most popular and influential recordings by some of its most honored singers and musicians.  Don McDiarmid, Jr. represents three generations of a family dedicated to the composing, recording, and promotion of the best of Hawaii's music.  we are fortunate to have this latest album and his lifetime's reflection."
 

Honolulu, Hawai`i, December, 2002... KAWAI COCKETT, Hawai`i's Male Vocalist of the Year is STILL STRUMMING!  From his first Hula Records release in 1969 to present, Kawai has carried on the hula tradition.  Known for his unique `ukulele strumming and his powerful vocals, he provides the music the public an hula dancers of the world search for.  And although Kawai continues to say that he's "no spring chicken," the amount of energy he puts into every one of his songs belies that fact.

STILL STRUMMING! features traditional favorites; newer, sure to become classic, hula numbers; and first-time recordings like "Ku`u Sweet Pikake," composed by Kawai for his wife.  This latest release is traditional Hawaiian hula music at its best... featuring one of Hawai`i's living musical treasures.  Kawai, whatever you do, KEEP STRUMMING!
 

- "When I think of Hawai`i, this is the music I hear!"
- "You've captured the magic of Hawai`i in your music!"

These are typical responses from passengers disembarking cruise ships at Honolulu Harbor.  Moana Chang has been called "a true Ambassador of Aloha."  She has been spreading love and appreciation for Hawaiian culture in dance, song and spirit for over three decades, here and abroad.  Since 1999, she has been the musical director of Aloha Boat Days and, along with her Aloha Tower Entertainers, has provided the world's most gracious welcome and farewell at Honolulu's most famous harbor.  This CD is a compilation of favorites from Moana's Boat days repertoire.  Created as a fundraiser for the Aloha Boat Days Foundation, Boat Days in Hawai`i with Moana Chang is brought to you by Hula Records, in conjunction with the Aloha Boat Days Committee.
 

Hula Records is proud to present THE KAHAUANU LAKE SINGERS - Na Mele `Auhau (Songs of Tribute).  The full-length CD features seven compositions by their namesake, the incomparable Kahauanu Lake, recipient of The Hawaii Academy of recording Arts' Lifetime Achievement Award.  Three other mele were written in collaboration with Mary Kawena Pukui, the noted conservator of Hawaiian culture.  Because Kahauanu is a direct descendant of King Kamehameha I, many of the songs are tributes to members of the royal family.  Two songs on the album were composed and popularized by the late songbird, Lena Machado. The Kahauanu Lake Singers' crisp delivery, tight harmonies and `ukulele artistry bring to mind the Hoku Award-winning K. Lake Trio who "epitomized perfection in unamplified tradition traditional Hawaiian music in Waikiki from 1955 until well into the '80's."  (John B. White)  The Kahauanu Lake Singers - Vernamae Perkins, Luana & Walter Kawai`ae`a, and "Atai" Akina - under the direction of Kahauanu Lake, are accompanied by "Uncle K" on lead baritone `ukulele, his brother Tommy Lake on acoustic bass, Walter Kawai`ae`a, a 15 year `ukulele student of Uncle K's, and guitarist "Atai" Akina.  Like their mentor, The Kahauanu Lake Singers strive to perpetuate Hawaiian music and culture.

Darlene Ahuna demonstrates her versatility in the title track, a swing version of the 1930's hapa-haole favorite, and in her delivery of traditional standards like Henry Waiau's "Kaua`i Beauty."  Lena Machado's "Mai Lohilohi Mai `Oe" and Mary Kawena Pukui and Irmgard Aluli's "Ka Lei O Punahou."  Equally at ease with the music of contemporary Hawaiian Composers, she gives us a fresh interpretation of Tony Conjugation's "Ka Pili Oha" and debuts "Lei Hiwahiwa I Ke Anu" by Big Island hula authority Johnny Lum Ho.  In his "Island Mele" column, John Berger of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin said "... the beauty of Ahuna's voice makes this one of the great Hawaiian albums of the past year."

That's the Hawaiian In Me - Ka Pili Oha - Mai Lohilohi Mai `Oe - Mino`aka - Ku`u Sweetie - Holoholo Ka`a - Kaua`i Beauty - Ka Lei O Punahou - Meleana E - Lei Hiwahiwa I Ke Anu - He ALoha No `O Honolulu - Could I Have This Dance

This album is a collection of hula standards sung by the Hilo songbird, a 20 year veteran singer-musician - much of that time having been spent accompanying hula halau in Hawaii and Japan.  Darlene and her trio (husband J.J. Ahuna on bass and Kyle Kaa`a on slack-key guitar) are joined by three of Hawaii's most talented steel guitarists: Alan Akaka of Honolulu, Ken Emerson from Kauai, and Kalei Bridges from the Big Island of Hawaii.

Hear the songs that lured visitors to our shores... These same songs that got Tutu out of her seat for an impromptu hula at family pa`ina will have you swaying to the music! HO`OMAUKAUKAU... get ready to hula... with Darlene Ahuna!

The best of Hawai`i's legendary entertainer.

Tiny Bubbles & Pearly Shells Medley - Moonlight Lady - Lovely Hula Hands - The Hukilau Song - Kuu Home O Kahalua - Forevermore - Waikiki - Kanaka Wai Wai - I'll Remember You - Waimanalo Blues - Hanalei Moon - Sweet Someone - Morning Dew - Sweet Leilani & BLue Hawai`i Medley

Respected kumu hula and the only living master of ancient Moloka`i hula, timed the release of this album to celebrate the first 20 years of his dance academy, Halau Hula O Kukunaokala.  Fifteen original compositions by Kaimikaua run the gamut from hula to jazz.  Included in the CD is a 24-page booklet that documents for the first time many elements of ancient Moloka`i history.  Nominated for Hawaiian Album of the Year and best liner notes.

He Kama A Hina - Kaulana Wale No `O Moloka`i - Dreary Afternoon - Hilo I - Hilo II - Rain - Ka Beauty Poepoe Lani - Sugar Mila - Fly Away - Hale Likikini - Hope For Morning Soon - `Alohilohi `O Ka La - Kahuna `Ana`ana - Wil's Song - Ka`ana
 

The landmark album which began the renaissance in Hawaiian music features Peter Moon and the Cazimero Brothers.

Kawika - Only For You - Heha Waipi`o - Kaulana `O Waimanola - Ka`ililauokekoa - Mehameha - He Hawai`i Au - Maika`i Ka Makani O Kohala - Ka La`i Opua - Poli Pumehana - Guava Jam

Featuring Peter Moon, Cazimero Brothers, Bla & Cyril Pahinui and "Baby" Kalima.  A Na Hoku Hanohano Award winner!

Kawika - Uwe Ka Wao - Ohi`a Hua Palaku - Only You - Sunday Manoa - Maika`i Ka Makani O Kohala - Pua Tuberose - Kalakaua - Kaulana Kawaihae - Heha Waipi`o

Featuring Peter Moon, Cazimero Brothers, Palani Vaughan, Cyril & Bla Pahinui, "Baby" Kalima.

He Hawai`i Au - Kapalaoa - Kaulana `O Waimanalo - Wai O Minehaha - Ka Lai Opua - Ka Moa`e - Lei Onaona - Maikai Waimea - Poli Pumehana - Akaka Falls

Palani Vaughan, Peter Moon, Cyril Pahinui and Albert "Baby" Kalima, Jr. are legends of Hawaiian music each taking their own paths.  Listening to this album reminds us of how Hawaiian music emerged from a traditional to a more contemporary sound.

Kaulana Kawaihae - Lei Onaona - Sweet lei Lehua - Kawohikukapalani - `Ohi`a Hua Palaku - Lei Loke O Kawika - Sons of Hawai`i / Kamehameha, Home Sweet Home - Hanohano Wale No Na Cowboy - Maika`i Waimea - Maika`i Waipi`o - Kalakaua - Ka Makani Ka'ili Aloha
 

Music that's featured on Maui's radio station, KPOA during their Sunset Hour.

Makawao (Agnes Weisberth) - Mi Nei (Kahauanu Lake Trio) - Alika (Genoa Keawe) - Ainamalu (Charles K. L. Davis) - Maui Moon (Myra English) - Hawaiian War Chant (Hawaii Calls) - Hawaiian Wedding Song (Hawaii Calls) - Ku`u Home O Maui (Ho`opio Trio) - Lahainaluna (Hawaii Calls) - Kawohikukapulani (Mahi Beaner) - Kananaka (Maile Serenaders) - Pua Ahihi (Kahauanu Lake Trio) - Hasegawa General Store (George Paoa Trio) - Blue Hawaii (Alfred Apaka)

In response to popular demand and our deep desire to preserve the very best in Hawaiian music, we are proud to present this anthology.  Myra's music is sung in the authentic "old time style."

Drinking Champagne - Ku`u Sweetie - Waiomina - Firemen's Hula - Maui Moon - Kahukia`ialo - KHBC - Many Happy Hangovers To You - Pu`u Anahulu - Huli Ho`i - Aloha Ka Manini - Nohili E - Kauhale O Kamapua`a - Oh How I Miss You Tonight
 

Chanter, kumu hula (hula instructor), song writer.  Winner of Aloha Festivals' Annual Kindy Sproat Falsetto Singing Contest.  The story behind this album is extraordinary - a promise to his grandmother "Mama" in his youth that someday he'll record an album of their music.

Waipi`o - Kaulana Uapo O Hilo - Pua Loke - A here To Aia Tumu - Aloha, My Love - Malihini O Waimea - Hawaiian Rhumba - Wai`anapanapa -  Mokuoeo - Kilakila 'O Maui - Kumu `Ohi`a - Dreams/Hurt

Voted Hawaii's Female Vocalist of the Year "Ulana Ke Aloha" (To Weave Our Affection) is Darlene's first solo venture, features classic Hawaiian standards, as well as new compositions.  Includes lyrics for the only Hawaiian/English anniversary song.

I Ali`i No Oe - `Akaka Falls - Ka Nani O Kulapae - You Are The One - Kauoha Mai - Kaulana `O Hilo Hanakahi - Waikoloa - Punalu`u - Aloha Ka Manini - Kipahulu - Kaulana Keaukaha - Hawaiian Anniversary

"Hawai`i's Female Vocalist of the Year" Darlene's second solo album is another masterpiece for this Big Island vocalist.  Included is a beautiful assortment of Hawaiian classics, as well as songs written by the Ahuna family.

Moku Ola - Lei Liko Ka Lehua - Lei Nani - You Don't Know Me, Blue Darling - Lei Ohu - My Ku`u Ipo - `Alekoki - My Sweet Gardenia Lei - Pa`ani Kamali`i - Ka Pua O Ka Makahala - Lei Hinahina - Ke Aloha Pau `Ole Oe Na`u

In response to numerous request for traditional and contemporary Polynesian drum music, Hula Records International is proud to present volume two of Drumbeats of the Pacific.

Our goal in putting together this project was twofold:  to provide visitors to the Islands with musical memories of their stay, and to offer students of music and dance these dance beats representative of the cultures of  Rarotonga, Aitutaki Atoll, Pukapuka, Atiu, Manihiki, Mangaia - the Cook Islands, Tahiti, Samoa, Tokelau, and the islands of Wallis and Futuna.

We hope you enjoy Drumbeats of the Pacific, Vol. 2, - Songs and Dances of the Islands.

Rutu Taki:  Samba - Drummer's Symphony - Rutu Taki:  Ei Roto - Takoto - Puara-Ta - ani - Atiu Enua - Paea - Borabora - Pahe - Borabora  (Take 2) - Mati

Nathan Aweau's nine original compositions are featured plus two he co-wrote.  His music stems the full diversity of reggae, hip-hop, romantic ballad, rock, inspirational, Hawaiian and jazz - it's all here.  A very innovative jazz rendition of the vintage classic "Latitu", in this song this musician plays and sings every note.

Latitu - All This Time - My Heart - What I've Been Goin' Through - Take My Hand - Don Ho Shuffle - Maui Smiles - Hawaii Aloha/Rising Sun - Is It Love - Cisco Kid - Open Your Eyes - Goin' Home - Talk With Me Waikiki
 

Second solo album of this multi-talented, bass player from Don Ho's band.  demonstrating his versatility as an artist with eight new compositions included on this album.

Hemolele A`o - If You Say My Eyes Are Beautiful - Keahi's Dream - Come - Road to Hana - Morning Light - I Sing - `Akaka Falls - Now And Forever - I'm Not Supposed To Love You Anymore - Ni`ihau - One More Road
 

Na Hoku Hanohano Contemporary Album of the Year Male Vocalist of the Year

Hoku song winners Tau Greig & Damien Farden are two seasoned musicians who have performed together for a decade.  Their repertoire includes traditional Hawaiian compositions, hapa-haole (English & Hawaiian words set to Hawaiian music) tunes of the 20's and 30's; and contemporary Hawaiian Songs, among them two new compositions by Damien Farden - `Ukulele Boy and `He Aloha Hawai`i."

`Ukulele Boy - Na Ali`i - Floating Leis - Lei Kupukupu - He U`I `O Pualani - You Are At A Lu`au Now - Hoe Hoe Na Wa'a - Papa Sia - Naupaka - Ballad Of A Cowboy - Let's Go Around The Island - He Aloha Hawai`i