Hula Music

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.

It's Aloha Festivals Falsetto Contest time once again and Hula Records is pleased to introduce you to last year's big winner, Kaua`i's "Le`a" Kukuno-Pacheco who won the Grand Prize at the Frank B. Shaner Aloha Festivals Falsetto Contest. The next day, "Le`a" traveled to the Big Island and tied with Hilo's Lopaka Kanahele to win the Clyde "Kindy" Sproat Falsetto & Storytelling Contest.  Falsetto contest winners of recent years join "Le`a" and Lopaka in bringing their sweet leo ki`eki`e (falsetto) songs to you.  Special guests include Hawaiian KINE's Frank B. Shaner and, from North Kohala, Clyde "Kindy" Sproat, who originated these friendly falsetto competitions. This CD is a perfect introduction to the uniquely Hawaiian style of falsetto singing!

Founded in 1975 by Howard and Olana A`i, Halau Hula Olana, the School of Living Hula, has grown to become one of the largest hula schools in the Islands.  Hundreds of Hawaii's keiki have passed through the halau doors and gone on to charm local audiences and visitors at a multitude of venues on land and aboard cruise ships.  Many of them have taken part in annual hula competitions, performed for four American Presidents or for dignitaries and audiences overseas.  Repeatedly, the halau has been recognized for its excellence.

The voices of kuma hula Olana A`i and her students are heard at the beginning and end of the CD.  In between, you'll hear Olana's talented family: husband Howard, who arranges the songs, sings and plays ukulele; eldest daughter Natalie delivers powerful vocals, sons Tai and Rhett take turns on the bass; and Natalie's husband `Iolani Kamau`u sings and plays guitar.  Together they create the unique A`i family sound as they perform halau favorites.

Hula Records and members of the halau, past and present, are proud to bring you this musical souvenir. Recall enjoyable hula memories of Halau Hula Olana, no matter where you go...

• "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

Learn to do the Hula! Instructions included.  Companion to the Let's Hula Video.

Lovely Hula Hands - The Hukilau Song - Beyond the Reef - Princess Pupule - Keep Your Eyes on the Hands - Holoholo Ka`a - Little Brown Gal - A Song of Old Hawaii - Hawaiian Hospitality - For You A Lei - To You, Sweetheart, Aloha - Anapau La

The Legacy of Kumu Hula Maiki Aiu Lake is captured in this recording of her chants and the music of the Kahauanu Lake Trio.  32-page CD booklet includes lyrics, translations and extensive annotations.

Mele Aloha - Kunihi Ka Mauna I Ka La`i E - Noho Ana `O Laka I Ka Uluwehi - E Pele - Kaulilua I Ke Anu Wai`ale`ale - A Ko`olau Au Ike I Ka Ua -`Au`a `Ia - Ho`opuka I Kai Ka la I Unulau - No Luna I Ka Hale Kai O Kama`alewa - Pu`u Onioni - Ia O E Ka La E `Alohi Nei - E Ho`i Ke Aloha O Ni`ihau - Nani Wale Ku`u Ike - Pua Lililehua - Pua Ahihi - A`oia - Hawaiian Swing Medley of the 1930's: Hapa-Haole Hula Girl/I Wonder Where My Little Hula Girl Has Gone/Hula Lolo - Maile Lei - Ku`u Hoa Hololio - Aloha Kauai

They say that no party in Hawai`i really begins until the music begins... and it really gets going only when someone starts dancing hula.  Here are 12 hula classics performed for you by five of Hawai`i’s best-loved musicians.  They provide the hula tunes. You provide the hula moves and the ono kau kau for an instant party - Hawaiian style!

Noho Paipai - Ahulili - Papalina Lahahi - Ka `Ano`i - Mauna Loa - Na Ka Pueo - Ku`u Lei Hoku - Hula O Makee - `Alika  - Green Rose Hula - Kane`ohe - Ua Nani Moloka`i

Winner of the Aloha Festivals' First Annual "Kindy" Sproat Falsetto Singing Contest earned the skilled singer-musician the opportunity to record this fine collection of songs.  Harry B. Soria, Jr., KCCN Radio DJ & contest judge says "Kalei Bridges revealed an effortless falsetto with impressive range.  He displayed fine control and excellent timing."

Latitu - Ka`ano`i - Keawaiki - Ho`i Mai Ku`uipo - Ku`u Pua Lehua - Golden Maui Moon - Kipu`upu`u - Ka Loke - Kaulana Kawaihae - Moani Ke `Ala - Hawaiian Cowboy - Manu O`o
 

A companion album to the popular PARTY HULAS in the lu`au mood.  Performed by Hawai`i's First Lady of Song.

Hola E Pae - Aloha Ku`u Home - Ipo Hula - Meleana E - Ke Aloha - Lei Nani - I Ka Po Me Ke Ao - Nani - Ho`okipa Paka - I Ali`i No `Oe - Makee Ailana - Hu`i E

Old Hawaiian music played by young Hawaiians from the country.  Slack-key guitars create a warm feeling.  Includes text and translations.

Chant/Kai Malino - Lapa Lapa - Mohala - You Are - Muliwai - Ho`okupu Kama Pua`a - Ke Welina A Ke Aloha - Moonlight Flight - He Pumehana I Ku`u Poli - Uku

Favorite party and lu`au hulas on one great album!  Performed by the recipient of multiple Na Hoku Hanohano awards -- everrybody's "Auntie," Genoa Kiawe.  Includes text and translations.

`Alika- I Ali`i No `Oe - Na Ka Pueo - Kane`ohe - Ipo Hula - Hula O Makee - Hu`i E - Makee Ailana - Lei Nani - Papalina Lahilahi - Noho Paipai - Ku`u Lei Hoku

August, 2001... It's Aloha Festivals Falsetto Contest time once again and Hula Records is happy to introduce you to last year's Frank B. Shaner Falsetto Contest winner, Rayburn "Chan" Abenes.  "Chan" performs Lena Machado's "Ipo Hula" (known as "The Sweetheart Hula") and five of his own compositions.  Six past grand prize winners from the Big Island's Clyde "Kindy" Sproat Falsetto & Storytelling Contest and Oahu's Frank B. Shaner Falsetto Contest add their sweet leo ki`eki`e (falsetto) voices to the album, making it a perfect introduction to the uniquely Hawaiian art form.

August, 2001... Hula Records presents Kamakele, the first solo effort by "Bulla" Kailiwai, 1997 winner of the Aloha Festival's Clyde "Kindy" Sproat Storytelling and Falsetto Singing COntest held each year on the Big Island.  A well known Kona hula dancer, "Bulla"  is fast becoming known as a singer and songwriter.  Kamakele showcases his beautiful falsetto voice as he performs his own compositions along side old favorites and previously unrecorded songs by former Miss Aloha Hula, Kealoha`aina Simeona.  "Bulla" is backed by some of our state's finest: Matt Manewa and Dwight Kanae (guitars), Kehau Tamure (upright bass), "Baba" Alimoot (electric bass), Greg Sardinha (steel guitar), Raymond Kane and Michael (slack-key guitars).