Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 18, Number 3, 1 March 2001 — 'Island Born' defines commitment to heritage in the 21st century [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

'Island Born' defines commitment to heritage in the 21st century

By Manu Boyd With hauntin'g vocals and masterful kī hō'alu guitar, Keola Beamer's " hlanā Born " CD release satisfies a longstanding hunger for classic Hawaiian with broad appeal. Although predominantly in Hawaiian, the project reflects contemporary influences, as in the title cut, performed in English. "True Hawaiian Way," another in English, was eomposed by Beamer for his mother, hula master and cultural expert "Aunty Nona" Kapuailohia Beamer, and combines light but effective vocals by 01omana's Jerry Santos. "Old Man Pueo," a previously recorded original of Beamer's, is fresh and vibrant. But the Hawaiian selections are the "crowning glory" of this CD. Nothing terribly new, with songs like " Kāne 'ohe" and " Hula o Makee," but the inclusion of seldom-heard lyrics paint a mueh more complete picture. "Aia i ka lihi o ka 'āina, kahi a ke aloha i walea ai. Walea ana 'oe me ke onaona, ku 'u lei hulu mamo pili i ke anu." (There at the boundary of the district is where love delights. You will enjoy the fragrance, my mamo feather lei, held close in the cold). Verses

such as these from Abbie Kong's Windward O'ahu mainstay recalling love and the 'Āpuakea rain give an entirely different feel from the usually sung Iyrics. Vocal support by Princess Keli'i-

ho'omalu, daughter of the late G-girl, is lovely. "Kāhuli aku," a traditional mele about land shells and a water-fetching J plover, was set to music r by Aunty Nona, and per- k formed with Keola's m trademark 'ohe hano ihu fl| (nose flute). ■ "Lē'ahi," the classic ■ about Honolulu Harbor ■ and "Diamond Head" is

loaded with kaona or double entendre about a bobbing buoy at the mouth of Honolulu Harbor that churns the oeean. Seldom heard verses include one that describes an "amazing carriage driver who brings the passenger into full recline: " Kūpaianaha 'uhe'uhene, kahi kalaiwa 'uhe'uhene, ka lawe nō a kīki'i pau 'uhe'uhene." Beamer's respect for tradition and ability to

create within an amazingly broad framework is a trait inherited from generations of music produced by the Beamer elan. His great-grand-mother, composer Helen Desha Beamer, penned scores of classics with sometimes

difficult but always enjoyable ^"7 melodies. Keola honors his lff grandfather, "Pono" (Keli'ino- / hopono) Beamer, by performing p;| his well-known " Ku'u Hoa" _,/ about the soft-eyed, mountainm dwelling sweetheart. / An instrumental, "Wao Lipo," I recalls the sounds of the deep forest and is combined in medley with Kawena Pūku'i's "Ke Ao Nani." Outstanding. Like the pāhoehoe lava flow

depicted on the cover, " lsland Born" represents a smooth, timeless foundation and a benchmark in Hawaiian music for generations henee to strive for. For information on Keola Beamer's statewide "Island Born" concert tour, eall 732-7242, or visit online at www.beamer.com. ■

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Mfi f 'Aii ana \A/tl \V'I