Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 30, Number 8, 1 August 2013 — Hula inspires many songs on KUmZ CD [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Hula inspires many songs on KUmZ CD

By Francine Kananionapua Murray Don't judge a book by its cover. I should know by now. At first glance the CD looks as if there's this retro '70s thing going on. But when I listened to it, wow! I was impressed with You Should Know By Now, by the KumZ - Karl Veto Baker and Miehael Lanakila Casupang, nā kumu hula of Hālau I Ka Wēkiu. Without the distraction of their stunning dancers, I was able to focus on their music. It was then that I realized how truly amazing these men are. The CD begins with "Hanamaika'i," a song composed by Casupang to honor a friend. First, a elean, clear solo voice chants in the falling rain, īuahine, the rain of Mānoa. Instruments

start and then a choir of angels chimes in - incredibly done. It isn't until the next few tracks play that I am really wowed by the CD's diversity and execution. The richness of Casupang's voice stands out. In "Kakahiaka Nui," a mele of their sunrise visit to Haleakala, KUmZ takes you along and you ean almost feel the emotional high of reaching the uppermost point. It's good fun hula music. In "He Aloha Moloka'i," they share the joy, laughter and hospitality they feel when visiting the island of Moloka'i. Casupang's fingers tickle the ivories as the low hum of the strings lingers in the background of "Lilt of Rain" composed by the duo's hula brother Keola Kamahele.

Composed for Hālau I Ka Wēkiu's first 'ūniki (graduating) class, "Ku'u Pua Punahele" rightfully holds a touch of reverance in its style and harmonies with a very niee arrangement. Robert 'Aukai Reynolds of that 'ūniki class together with KUmZ composed a reply to the question "What was it like to be in that special class?" The result, "Kawaikini," has the sentiment of aloha piha, or as KUmZ would say, the sentiment of you should know by now. On a pleasant summer night in Waiklkl, KUmZ delighted their fans at the Waikīkī Aquarium's Ke Kani o Ke Kai Summer Concert Series. Casupang's voice seemed richer, more mature than ever and the audience hung on every note. If you ever have the opportunity to watch them live, don't miss it. ■

REVIEW

You Should Know By Now KUmZ Kauakoko Foundation