honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, June 15, 2007

ISLAND SOUNDS
Collections feature Hawaii faves

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser
spacer spacer
Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser
spacer spacer
Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser
spacer spacer

"Mea Makamae (Hawaiian Treasures)" by various artists; Poki Records

  • Genre: Compilation.

  • Distinguishing notes: Timed to the 30th annual Na Hoku Hanohano Awards, which honors recording achievement by the music community of Hawai'i and set for June 20 at the Hawai'i Convention Center, this star-studded, 15-song assembly from some winning albums is a handy keepsake that perhaps best serves visitors who want a quickie listen of Island music.

    Produced by Lea Uehara and Kata Maduli, and largely linked to the Tropical Music repertoire, the collection is properly packaged, with a liner booklet that details the performers and the origins of the selection, circa 1990 to 2004. The treasure box is full of musical memories and all tunes are rendered in Hawaiian: Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's "Kana'i Aupuni," Dennis Pavao's "Holei," The Makaha Sons' "Kaimana Hila," The Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau's "Ka Hanu O Evalina," Teresa Bright's "Kaulana O Hilo Hanakahi," Del Beazley's "Mele Au Ka Lono Lani," Cyril Pahinui's "'Aulili," 'Ale'a's "Pua Tuberose" and "Hula O Makee," with additional tracks by Justin, Rocky Brown, Kahua, Chinky Mahoe, Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewett, and the Hawaiian All-Star Band. The CD cover sells Hawai'i as a memory-laced place, rather than depicting the performers, and in the end, you get an earful of a wonderful paradise through the melody and language of the tunes.

  • Our take: A worthy compilation, even if you have some of the original CDs.

    Sample song: "Kana'i Aupuni" by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole

    "John Hirokawa's Hawaiian Favorites" by various artists; Shaka Records

  • Genre: Compilation.

  • Distinguishing notes: John Hirokawa is Hawai'i's best-known illusionist, starring in a lavish production at the Ohana Waikiki Beachcomber hotel, the only place you can buy this CD. The theory: These are Hirokawa's ultimate faves, tunes he might have on his iPod or, if he had one, in an old-fashioned jukebox.

    Produced by George Chun and Tom Moffatt, the roundup includes tunes that Moffatt earlier recorded with some seminal acts, plus a handful of certified hits of the recent past. Can't argue that these are favorites of Island music fans, too: Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's "Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World," Keali'i Reichel's "E 'O Mai," Loyal Garner's "Kokee," Keola and Kapono Beamer's "Honolulu City Lights" and "Seabreeze," The Krush's "My Hawai'i," Marlene Sai's "I Love You," Danny Couch's "Ah, My Hawai'i," Iva Kinimaka's "He Aloha Mele," Ehukai's "Moloka'i Slide," Cecilio and Kapono's "Sunflower," Kalapana's "Naturally." Other artists aboard: Moke Boy, Hui O Hana, Kapena, Tino & the Rhythm Klub and Anelaikalani. While Hirokawa has a liner comment, it sorely lacks reasons for liking these tunes, and the lack of accountability of the selections — when recorded, culled from which album — leaves a void for the uninformed.

  • Our take: Despite the packaging shortcomings, the CD is a good listen, reinforcing the breadth of Island artistry.

    Sample song: "Ah My Hawai'i" by Danny Couch

    "S.pacifik Musik" by the Mana Poly All-Stars; Poly All-Stars Records

  • Genre: Hip-hop with a Polynesian flava.

  • Distinguishing notes: With a following in Utah and California, the Mana Poly All-Stars also are contenders in this year's Na Hoku Awards (hip-hop). The eight-member ensemble, engaging in harmonic vocals as well as beat-driven dance beats, represents a hybrid: a bit of South Seas syncopation with blues and hip-hop. Members are James Rubi, Kalaniana'ole Hafoka, Luisa Hafoka, Na'a Hafoka, Peter Kinikini, Setema V. Gali, Siosifa "Ese" Taiese and Taniela "Nela" Otuafi. While rhythms prevail and capture quick attention, there are some singular sensations such as the sweet and soulful "Everything Is Alright." In short: a lot of mana'o from the Mana Poly 'ohana.

  • Our take: Get beyond the nondescript CD cover, which does little to sell the musical contents.

    Sample song: "All-Star" by Mana Poly All-Stars

    Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.