In the hit parade: Israel Kamakawiwo'ole ("White Sandy Beach"), Jake Shimabukuro ("While My Guitar Gently Weeps"), Gabby Pahinui ("Blue Hawaiian Moonlight"), Willie K ("You Ku'uipo"), Hapa ("He'eia"), Keali'i Reichel ("Kawaipunahele"), Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom and Willie K ("Hale'iwa Hula"), Palani Vaughan ("Ka Mamakakaua"), Kohala ("Deeper Blue"), Sean Na'auao ("Ka Ipo Lei Manu"), Dennis and David Kamakahi ("Ulili E"), Brother Noland ("Are You Native?"), Sonny Chillingworth ("Liloa's Mele") and Justin ("E Kailua E").

A classy liner booklet provides insightful mini-bios of the performers and lists the album from which the track was derived. Available at Starbucks stores.

Maui visitors and residents probably know Maui Jam for its appearances at a range of Valley Isle resorts. Its style is old-school, with an easy-going, laid-back demeanor, with a repertoire that touches the heart and tugs at the memory: "Ka 'Uluwehi O Ke Kai," "Wahine 'Ilikea," "Hi'ilawe," "Hula O Makee," "Ka Makani Ka'ili Aloha," "Ka Wai Lehua 'A'ala Ka Honua" and "Maori Brown Eyes." Tender and sweetly nostalgic renderings; caring and seductive instrumentation. "Hawai'i Aloha" will inspire you to stand tall and proud, instrumental verses sandwiching a poignant vocal. Available at Mele.com and Borders on Maui.

This album is rich in chant and storytelling, told in Hawaiian with periodic English introductions, to set the story line, which unfolds through wahine and kane performances. Besides the powerful surge of the Hawaiian language, there's the sound of ipu and implements, plus choral chanting, to expand the legend to mythic levels. The experience is at its best when you can indulge and soak in the cadence of the words, hear the emotion, experience the drama.