Island Sounds
Sweet sounds of Kumukahi revive stories of the heart

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor

"E KU'U LEI E KU'UIPO" by Ku'uipo Kumukahi, Uilani Records URCD 1001.

Ku'uipo Kumukahi is a true sweetheart of song, endearing the listener to everything she embraces. Her latest is a joy to listen to, a collection of nostalgic fare that harkens to another time.

From the title tune, equating a floral lei with a beloved sweetheart, to the final track, caressing the "Waters of Kaua'i," she delicately and sincerely creates images of a bygone time, serving as a bridge between yesterday and today. She succeeds as storyteller, weaving in and out of tales that touch the heart.

"Nani Kaua'i" speaks of the beauty of the Garden Island, "Nanakuli" upholds the country charms of that Leeward Coast strip, "None Hula" is a hula oldie revived with a fresh vision.

Her strength, clearly, is the wistful ballad form, exemplified by the likes of "Ei Nei" and "Mi Nei," in both English and Hawaiian. Also irresistible: "Po La'ila'i" and "Makee 'Ailana."

For variety, Kumukahi also experiments with a delightful revival of that hapa-haole favorite, "'Ukulele Lady," rendered with the wicky wacky tack and supplanted with a closing refrain of her own, "The Lady Can Play."

And then there's the playful "Tewetewe," which is so uplifting and contagious, it makes you want to get up and dance out the kolohe lyrics.

Kumukahi has turned to master composers (Maddy K. Lam, Charles E. King, Mary Kawena Pukui, Victoria I'i Rodrigues, Lena K. Machado and more) for her music, resulting in a very stable, assuredly proven roster of tunes. And liner notes provide lyrics and translations, a definite plus.

Hear an audio clip of "Nani Kaua'i" by Ku'uipo Kumukahi. Available in mp3 and RealAudio formats.

"YOU & ME" by Namahana, Hobo House on the Hill Record, HHHRCD 0018.

Namahana is a pop stylist surrounded by a wealth of talent on her debut CD.

B.E.T. is featured on "Baby I," a smart, danceable rockaballad, with even Jawaiian juice to appeal to the young, but with enough sensuality to draw in an older crowd.

Kapono is the composer of the title tune, a bluesy ballad about being together. Keo Woolford, Robert Cazimero and Michael Casupang wrote "Hawai'i Akea," her voyage into Hawaiian turf.

Namahana projects a lingering warmth particularly when she delivers a ballad, such as "I Don't Need You," which starts off small and finishes big. She is a voice and a talent worth watching, even when she covers a tune ("You're Still the One").

Interestingly, there is a bonus track — "I'll Be Home for Christmas" (a new holiday tune by the Hobo House 'ohana) gets a jump on the holiday season.

Hear an audio clip of "Baby I" by Namahana. Available in mp3 and RealAudio formats.