Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 25, Number 11, 1 November 2008 — Pili o ke Ao Kūpaoa Produced by Soul Tree [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Pili o ke Ao Kūpaoa Produced by Soul Tree

Come hear what all the buzz is about. The amazing young Hawaiian duo, Kūpaoa has just released their debut album, Pili o keAo, whieh translates as the "beginning of a new day." The album's title song also makes its record debut. "Pili o ke Ao" was originally a chant written by Ho 'oulumāhiehie in the century-old Hawaiian language newspaper Ka Na'i Aupuni. The mele was recently put to music by University of Hawai'i Hawaiian language professor M. Puakea Nogelmeier. Kalikolīhau "Līhau" Hannahs is a 2007 graduate of the William S. Richardson School of Law, and Kellen Paik of Kaua'i, is pursuing a mas-

ter's degree in Hawaiian language at UH Law and language? Great combo, and together they make melodic magic. Līhau composes many of their lyrics and Kellen brings them to life with music, as in "Hīhīmanu Hanalei," an original about the lo'i fields of Hanalei, lavish and magnificent in the hā'ao rain; "Koamalu," under the shade of the koa tree, a plaee where the heart finds peaee; and "Halele'a," a song about how Kaua'i is simply perfect, especially the Halele'a district. Kūpaoa means stalwart, lingering fragrance, and like their music, if you've ever had the pleasure of hearing this group live, the beauty lingers. They've been a well-kept secret, charismatic and captivating live entertainers. See them live at the Honolulu Club on Nov. 14 and Dec. 5 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Pili o ke Ao hits store shelves Nov. 4. For infonnation, visit kupaoa.com.

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