Hawaiian songbook demystifies mele | The Honolulu Advertiser

Comment, blog & share photos

Hawaiian songbook demystifies mele | The Honolulu Advertiser | Hawaii's Newspaper

Posted on: Tuesday, April 13, 2004

THE LEFT LANE
Hawaiian songbook demystifies mele

Advertiser Staff and News Services

While you're stocking up on pupu to munch while watching this week's Merrie Monarch Hula Festival competition, there's one other thing you might want to slip into your shopping bag: a copy of "He Mele Aloha: A Hawaiian Songbook," a best-selling collection of Island favorites published late last year. It's great fun to page through.

The spiral-bound book to kanikapila by includes words, chords, translations and composer notes for 283 popular songs, both in Hawaiian and English. It was compiled by Carol Wilcox, with musical notation by Vicky Hollinger and Kimo Hussey, and language consultation from Puakea Nogelmeier.

We found four of the 11 Miss Aloha Hula 'auana (modern hula) selections in the book and six of the group 'auana mele. If you haul out George S. Kanahele's "Hawaiian Music and Musicians" and Elbert and Mahoe's "Na Mele o Hawai'i Nei," you'll be just about set to better understand the lyrics of the competition songs.

By the way, check for Advertiser staff writer Wanda Adams' first Merrie Monarch report tonight from Hilo — Hula Central — here online.

To New Zealand and back on the cheap

Make way, Frodo, the Americans are coming. Air New Zealand last week announced a $678 round-trip fare from Honolulu to Auckland, in the country where Peter Jackson filmed the "Lord of the Rings" epic. Tickets must be purchased by April 30. The first leg of the trip must take place before May 31, and all travel must be completed by June 30.

Air New Zealand operates flights to New Zealand from Honolulu, departing Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for Auckland.

A minimum stay of six days is required, and the maximum stay permitted is one month. Children's fares are also available. Reservations: (800) 369-6867, www.airnewzealand.com/usa.

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos