Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 22, Number 9, 1 September 2005 — Hula Records CDs celebrate ʻohana, from keiki to kūpuna [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Hula Records CDs celebrate ʻohana, from keiki to kūpuna

By Manu Boyd Hawaiian Songs for Children: Nā Mele Hawai'i no nā Keiki

This charming eolleetion of ehildren's songs was composed by cousins Mary Kawena Pūku'i and

Aliee Nāmakelua, both legends īn the realm of Hawaiian language and music. Nāmakelua and Pūku'i were both born on Hawai'i island in the 1890s, reared in Hawaiian and spent a lifetime sharing their love of their heritage with keiki. Here, they share their own memories of growing up in a simpler time. Liner notes explain that prior to these works by Nāmakelua and Pūku'i, children's mele for singing and dancing were practically non-existent, as serious matters of chant and hula were reserved only for adults - but times have changed. "These 14 songs, all child-tested and approved, all easily learned and enthusiastically performed, all recorded for the first time, will no doubt be appropriate for grown-ups too," the liner notes say. Among mele on this collection are

Kāma'a Hou (new shoes), No Tūtū (for Grandma), Moa (ehieken), Ku'u Pāpale U'i (my pretty hat), Lele Kowali (swing on a swing) and the familiar mele hula by Nāmakelua, Kīlauea, recalling the fires of Pele. Nāmakelua is also the ho'opa'a on this selection - she chants and drums the ipu. The poetry presented here is simple, particularly palatable for keiki, and the musical performances - most of whieh feature the Rodrigues sisters: Nina, Lani and Lahela - are outstanding. Attention to pronunciation and vocal blend are testament to the trio's mother, Vickie 'Ī'ī Rodrigues, a Hawaiian music authority. The Maile Serenaders also provide musical support, and include Benny Kalama, Sonny Kamahele, Jimmy Ka'ōpūiki and Eddie Pang. The cover image is set at Hānaiakamalama, Queen Emma's Summer Palaee in Nu'uanu. The composers are surrounded by a group of keiki, all 'ohana and close family friends. This CD is not only recommended for keiki, but anyone fascinated with our native 'ōlelo, and the gentle demeanor and seasoned thought process of our kūpuna.

Ni Mele 'Ohana: Featuring Vickie 17 and her family Originally released in 1962, Nā Mele 'Ohana is the product of

Vickie 'I'ī Rodrigues and her children: Nina, Lani, Lahela, Ioane and Boyce. In many ways, this alhum is

the definitive Hawaiian recording, with family mele and other wellwritten pieces favored by this 'ohana presented with excellent music, perfect Hawaiian and a good deal of insight shared in the liner notes by Jean "Kini" Sullivan. Reviewing this re-release, the reader becomes intimately familiar with the genealogy of this 'ohana, whieh is dotted with talented performers and eomposers. Pua o Kamākāhala was written by Katie Stevens 'Ī'ī and showcases the lead vocals of the eomposer's mo'opuna (granddaughter), Vickie. Thomas Kalama, Vickie's grandfather, wrote Ku'u Pua Mikinolia, a beautiful duet performed by Nina and Lani. The mention of Pāpiohuli and the waters of

Kū'auhoe suggest that Kaua'i is the setting for the song named for the magnolia blossom. Nina, also known professionally by her Hawaiian name, Keali'iwahamana, performs the Moloka'i classic Kalama'ula, reportedly taught to Vickie by her mother over the phone. More than 40 years later, Kalama 'ula remains a standard in the repertoire of singers who ean handle the difficult melody, including the likes of Raiatea Helm, who counts "Aunty Nina" as one of her musical influences. Hawaiian lyrics are presented with orthography as Vickie 'Ī'ī annotated them and were included in the packaging with the condition that English translations not be given. Hāli'ilua, an old mele for Hannah Parrish of Kona that remains popular to this day, leaves "instructions" that it is not to be sung by children. The song hails the name Ka'ōnohiokalā, recalls such places as 'Ola'a, Ka'awaloa and the eool oeean breeze at Ma'ihi, and was taught to Vickie by her grandmother, Katie. Na wai e 'ole i ka 'ike o nā kūpuna? Who ean deny the wisdom of our elders? Who, indeed ...

Mfi f 'Aii ana

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