Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 25, Number 5, 1 April 2008 — A musical tribute to Hawaiʻiʻs royalty [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

A musical tribute to Hawaiʻiʻs royalty

By Blaine Fergerstrūm KWŪ Staff In late 2007, the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame produced its first CD in a project titled, "Nā Lani 'Ehā," featurin2

songs eomposed by ali'i of the Kalākaua dynasty and performed by Ku'uipo Kumukahi and the Hawaiian

Music Hall of Fame Serenaders. The group includes Isaac Akuna, Ioseph Winchester and James "Kimo" Stone. Stone is the current president of the Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame names as its patrons and takes inspiration from Nā Lani 'Ehā (The Royal Four), ali'i who were renowned as eomposers and champions of Hawaiian music in the latter half of the 19th

century. King David Kalākaua, ■rl his sisters Queen Lydia (II Kamaka'ehā Paki Lili'uokalani i',1 and Princess Miriam Likelike, lil and his brother, Prince William U Pitt Leleiohoku were all noted l' composers, penning songs that | are performed and enjoyed to this '

day. "Nā Lani 'Ehā" is captivating and enchanting. Kumukahi has done a remarkable job in rec-

reating the songs as their composers might have envisioned they would sound. The feel of the entire CD immediately evokes the monarchy period. Onee you press "play," it is easy to daydream of sitting in a parlor at 'Iolani Palaee in the company of a visiting sea captain and his wife. There, on guitar, entertaining the company is your Queen, Ke Ali'i Wahine Lili'uokalani playing her brother's composition, Hawai'i Pono'ī.

Nearby hangs a portrait of the composer,

Ka Mō 'I, Kalākaua. Asked about the period sound heard on the CD, Kumukahi says, "No, we didn't try for a particular sound. Their music is their music, it comes through no matter what . . . it's so obvious. We just played their music." The alhum contains not only "historical" music like the nahonal anthem of the Kingdom of Hawai'i, but songs like Tūtū, about daily life

with kupuna wahine (grandmo ther) by Lili'uokalani,

Koni Au, Kalākaua's drinking song, and Ku'u Ipo I Ka He'e Pu'e One. The latter, a beautiful ballad penned by Likelike, is still regularly perfonned by many artists more than a century after its composition. Kumukahi says, "Think about this for a moment: Nowhere in the world, in that time or today, for that matter, do you find any world leader composing songs for their people and their kingdom." Our royal family "wrote about their love affairs, their people, everyday life. You don't see anyone, anywhere, doing that!" She points out that Lili 'uokalani's "Manu Kapalulu is about the queen's annoyance with someone! 'Kulikuli au iā 'oe, manu kapalulu!' 'You be quiet, you chattering quail!' " One seemingly obvious omission is Lili'uokalani's Aloha 'Oe. It might have been perfect as a bookend to Hawai'i Pono'ī at the album's start. But Kumukahi says,

"We didn't include a lot of the popular songs." "We decided to open with Hawai'i Pono'ī and closed with a prayer at the end. ... I tried to stay away from popular songs, and tried to highlight the ones that were least recorded." The Hall of Fame will present a Lei of Stars Concert April 26 at Hawai'i Theatre as a tribute to its 2007 inductees: Jesse Kalima, John Pi'ilani Watkins, Bill Ka'iwa, Don McDiannid Sr., Eddie Kamae, Peter Moon and Marlene Sai. Kumukahi and the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame Serenaders will perfonn selections from the CD. Others on the hill are the Jesse Kalima 'Ohana, the Peter Moon Band, Nā Palapalai (representing John Watkins), Eddie Kamae, Owana Salazar, Cyril Pahinui and Unele Bill Ka'iwa. For tickets or more information, eall 372-8921, email adniin@ hnihof.org or visit www.hnihof.org. AIso visit www.hawaiiniusicniu seum.org or www.ekuuipo.com. ^

MELE 'AILANA • ISLAND MUSIC SCENE

Kumukahi

Photos: Courtesy ofStocey Leong Design