Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 29, Number 11, 1 November 2012 — ESCAPE WITH ʻMELE ʻAILANAʻ [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

ESCAPE WITH ʻMELE ʻAILANAʻ

By Francine Murray Every onee in a while we just need to get away. So eome along . . . just elose your eyes and follow as we eseape off the beaten traek. Manu Boyd, the two-time Grammy nominee and multi-Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winner, just released his first solo venture - Meīe 'Ailana - and it's just the ticket, your passport to a celebration of island music. Our journey begins at Mānoa Falls, the water source created by Kāne, and flows to the surrounding area like a lullaby whispering to Kahalaopuna, the rainbow goddess, in the mele "Waiakeakua" with guest vocalist Robert Cazimero. Over the Ko'olau to Windward O'ahu, Boyd composed the mele "Nani He'eia" about the abundant natural resources of the area, in honor of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop and her father, Pākl, for the 1 25 th anniversary of

Kamehameha Schools in 2012. In 1883 Maria Hi'o Adams Boyd of Maunawili, Manu Boyd's great-great-grand-mother, composed a tribute to Queen Kapi'olani called "Aia i Nu'uanu." Its magic flourishes again with new music by Boyd. Off to the perfect spot for

stargazing, high on a hilhop in Kaimukī, the inspiration for the charming hula mele (song) "Pu'u Kaimukl" composed by Boyd and his hula brother Keala Chock for kumu hula Maelia Carter. Music brings people together as in "Kalaekilohana Kīnohinohi," an old-style Hawaiian storytelling song about a party with Robert Cazimero's Hālau Nā Kamalei O Līlīlehua, whieh Boyd graduated from in 1995 as kumu hula. In a rare recording style with 'ili'ili in hand, this mele features Kapalai'ula de Silva (who just had his 'uniki as kumu hula in September) and Lilinoe Sterling, Miss Aloha Hula 2012. Mount Hualālai to the heaeh at Kīholo, North Kona, the wahi pana are music to the senses when celebrated with the intricate piano stylings of Boyd coupled with his vocals in harmony with Moon Kauakahi of Mākaha Sons in "Kona Aloha." For a spicy undertone, the fire goddess Pele's home, Kīlauea, sets the stage where "Lei

Pa'iniu" unfolds in an unforgettable duet by Boyd and Kainani Kahaunaele. The style many of these songs are written in is called "ku'ina" or "ho'oku'i" (to connect) as verse or line endings suggest a similar sounding word to continue on. "It's mind boggling how mueh I've leamed over the past four months about many things," said Boyd. "I thank Teresa Bright for making it happen, and for introducing me to Shawn Moseley and Soul Sound Studio in He'eia for mentoring me in true 'less is more' fashion. This project has been one of the most enjoyable in my 50 years. This milestone year was the impetus for this project that I have been shaping with close friends for many years. "Guest artists are all close friends. I wanted to try and present them in as good an environment as possible." Fromthe rising sun at Kumukahi to its setting at Lehua, Mele Ailana comforts like sunshine after rain, with lyrics that include nearly 60 plaee names, Akua names, kupua, ali'i, winds, rains, plants and people, whieh make this truly a work dedicated to our lāhui and kulāiwi. Its unique new style is sure to please. Escape this hectic holiday season. Let

yourself bs to Meīe celebrai s 1 a n d

transported 'Ailana, a k tion of ■ nuiNie. ■

CD REVIEW

j MELEAILANA ^ > ISLAND MUSIC SCENE /

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Mele 'Ailana Manu Boyd Soul Sound Studio Available starting Nov. 1 at iTunes and manuboyd.com.