Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 16, Number 7, 1 July 1999 — Maui's music boon [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Maui's music boon

ln the past five years, the "Valley lsle's" loeal mtisi( industry has exploded, bringing us the likes of Hapa, Keali 'i Reichel, Pekelo, the Waiehu Sons, Uluwehi Gurrerro, Hulu Lindsey, Lei'ohu Ryder aud more. īwo recent releases are at the forefront. By Manu Boyd

[?]

Dick and sol Ho'opi'i, the Kahakuloa natives who put their hometown

|% fishing village on I »the music map, are back on the scene with aloha ffom Maui. Named "group of the year" at the 1997 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards, the Ho'opi'is continue their tradition of leo ki 'eki 'e, falsetto singing, that augments the voice to pleasantly high tones. Their trademark style is simple, joyfully carrying lyrics that tell of the natural beauty of Hawai'i. "Alohafrom Maui"

features standards from the valley isle like " 'Ahulili Scott Ha'i's tribute to the Kaupō mountain peak, with kaona, or poetic veiling alluding to "lih" or jealousy. Haleakalā Hula," taught to the duo by composer Aliee Johnson, is a favorite implement hula that hails Maui's majestic mount, the "house of the sun," the 'Ūkiu rains and gentle breezes at Makawao. Hula Master

Kau'i Zuttermeiester's "Nā Pua Ka 'llima," brings to mind the soft, golden 'ihma lei in tribute to 0'ahu's celebrated

ah'i nui, Kākuhihewa. "Sweet Lei Lehua" recalls a | street scene bustling with street cars and bicycles in a modulating arrangement. "Sometimes in falsetto, you go for broke, " said Sol. "See how high you ean get without busting your vocal chords." To experience the Ho'opi'is is to sense a spirit of happiness and contentedness. The brothers are sur- k rounded by inspiration, both physical and spiritual, counting female falsetto leg-

end Genoa Keawe as a hero. Theh performance of "Nū 'Oli," a favorite Hawaiian hymn based on Luke 2: 10 - 11, illustrates their strong faith, nurtured at Kahakuloa Congregational Church. Their wide appeal is testament to their sheer love of singing and their roots in Kahakuloa, one of the most beautiful spot on earth. Pōmaika'i kākou! ■

ti 1EII1I