• Genre: Contemporary and traditional Hawaiian.

• Distinguishing notes: Natalie Ai Kamauu comes from a hula family; as a teen, she'd sing alongside her father, Howard Ai, for kumu hula mom Olana Ai's Halau Hula Olana. Kamauu also is a former Miss Aloha Hula. Here, she specializes in her first love, singing. It remains a family affair, with husband Iolani Kamauu joining her on such cuts as "Aloha Hawai'i Ku'u One Hanau" and the medley fusing "Kiowao" with "Ua Nani 'O Nu'uanu." Kamauu is blessed with a delicate and expressive voice with the smooth moves and grace of, well, a dancer. Her song selections are well-suited for dance — check out "Pili Aloha," "Blossom Nani Ho'i E" (one of her originals), "Baby Hula," "Ke Aloha" and "Ke Kuko E Ka Manawa." Her phrasing, her lilt, her joy of life shine through; producer Dave Tucciarone capitalizes on her personality, keeping the production sweet and simple. Kamauu even makes the Don McClean "And I Love You So" resonate with hula implications. And her vocal texture — occasionally sweetened with voice-overs — grabs attention. The presence of piano among the accompanying instruments yields an identifying quality.

• The outlook: What a joyous and refreshing find.

• Our take: Kamauu is a songbird ready to take flight.

• Genre: World music.

• Distinguishing notes: For her first-ever recording (a CD single), "American Idol" finisher Jasmine Trias puts her spin onto that "Honolulu City Lights" heart-tug: what it feels like flying home. This ballad, composed by Kit Ebersbach, touches a few universal nerves — the glow, the elation of rekindling happy times in paradise. The promotional tie-in gives Trias both a boost and a blemish: While it helps to get a sales nudge from a fast-food link, the bond may prevent the airing of the song on commercial radio ... because it is, in a sense, a commercial. (The disc, being released today, provides lyrics and an instrumental track to sing along with.)

• The outlook: Nice to finally get a sample of Trias' sunny disposition after a season of TV viewing and voting.

• Our take: A worthy intro to what she's capable of doing; what's to come, of course, will determine her stature in the pop music derby.

"Flying Home" by Jasmine Trias. Audio sample available in mp3 format.

• Genre: Hawaiian Christian music.

• Distinguishing notes: With a soft-rock motif, Hawaiian lyrics, instrumentation embracing 'ukulele as well as piano and simple faith, "A Few More Drops" drips with heartfelt praise and spiritual fervor, making devotion a contagious element. "E Nana Aku I Ka Nani O Iehova" is derived from Psalm 27:4 (To gaze upon the beauty of the Lord) and it typifies the melodic approach to the gospel according to Warrington. "Shine" (Hebrews 1:1-3) is delivered in English, and so goes the tour through biblical turf. You needn't be familiar with the Bible to appreciate the linking of God's love with Warrington's original music; Hawaiian translations are by Nako'olani Warrington.

• The outlook: This is an ambitious and rewarding project with high production values.

• Our take: A praiseworthy effort by a composer who opens up his heart and his songbook to the ways of God.