Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 30, Number 11, 1 November 2013 — REVIEWS By Francine Kananionapua Murray Holiday-inspired niele, and a tribute to legendary places [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

REVIEWS By Francine Kananionapua Murray Holiday-inspired niele, and a tribute to legendary places

LeiKulāia Nāpua Mountain Apple Co. \ā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winning artist Nāpua, releases her first holiday alhum, Lei Kuīāia, unique in that it starts with a traditional Hawaiian oli (ehant), "Welina e Lonoikamakahiki" for Lonoikamakahiki, the Hawaiian god of fertility, agrieulture and musie, a perfeet way to begin the Makahiki season. The oli is followed by festive Christmas and holiday songs like the traditional "Mele Kalikimaka iā Kākou," "He Mele Kalikimaka ko Keaukaha," by Kīhei Nahale-a, "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus," "The Christmas Song," by Mel Torme and Robert Wells and "Christmas Lū'auAVheeha e Kākou," by Leonard Hawk. Her delightful rendition of "Blue Christmas" by Billy Hayes and Jay W. Johnson has a bit of a Southern twang. The CD wraps up with Nāpua's sweet-elear voiee aeeompanied by piano in the Christian song, "Preeious Lord, Take my Hand," eomposed by Thomas Dorsey. Drumroll please, an unusual treat awaits, hidden inside 12 randomCDs is a golden tieket. Inspired by WiIIy Wonka anel the Chocolate Factory, one of Nāpua's favorite childhood movies, the lucky 12 who get a golden ticket will receive gifts made by Hawaiian artists - Maile Andrade, Paulette Kaho'ohanohano or Pohaku Kaho'ohanohano. Congratulations, lucky ticket holders. The CD is available at music stores throughout the state and at www.mountain applecompany.com.

My lsland Christmas Mailani HĀ Enterprises My Island Christ»ias, the new CD from multi-award-winning-musical-artist Mailani makes me feel like a child again just like the holiday season does. It brings back so many wonderful memories of Christmas as a child in Hawai'i yet with a fresh twist, like the upbeat tempo and 'ōlelo Hawai'i in her rendition of "Put a Little Love in Your Heart." And it's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas in the Islands with the festive beat of Mailani's original "We are One." Three other songs she has eomposed are "Alawa Mai," "Baby's First Christmas" and "Christmas Rendezvous." Her angelic voice in "See the World Through Children's Eyes" is captivating. Le'ale'a nui, there's big fun, time for toys and time for cheer in "Christmas Don't be Late." The rythym will have you swaying as Mailani's voice plays - on the highs and lows - with the words in "All I Want for Christmas."As I listen to the sound of children playing, "The Song of Christmas" moves my spirit with the warmth of the holidays. This Christmas CD is a joy from start to end and a weleome accompaniment to any holiday gathering. But what makes it even more magical are all the special guest artists adding their special nuances - Sean Na'auao plays guitar and electric bass, Teresa Bright sings haekup vocals, Dan Del Negro is on the keyboard, Sean Carroll on percussions and Kupu Dalire-Na'auao palys guitar and upright bass. Available at music stores and at www.mountainapple company.com.

Nāpili Waipuna Poki Records The Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winning men of Waipuna are releasing their latest work, Nāpili, on Nov 5. The mele pana CD, rich with music of celebrated and legendary places in Hawai'i is the perfect eompanion on a road trip. The journey begins with "Nā Makani 'Ehā" composed by Rev. Dennis David Kamakahi, a kōlohe mele that tells the tale of an ancestor's adventures in Hālawa Valley, Wailau, Pelekunu and Waikolu, Moloka'i. Next, feel the kanaka pride of 0'ahu's east shore homestead and delight in the area's beauty with "Hanohano no 'o Waimānalo" by Kale Hannahs. "Aloha e Kohala," written by Robert Cazimero about a trip he, his hālau, brothers and sisters took to Kohala where many a tale was told of his mākua (parents) and kūpuna (grandparents). "Lei Kō'ele" by Rev. Kamakahi celebrates Lāna'i. In this version of "Nā 'ale o Ni'ihau," composed by Manu Boyd and Randol Ngum, Boyd switched up a eouple words here and there for Waipuna saying he still finds it difficult to capture the amazing beauty of Ni'ihau adequately. A lover of lyrics and the sound of melodic voices, I feel vocals are like the frosting on a eake - they make it complete. So, mueh to my surprise I can't get enough of "Nāpili Bay," a charming instrumental by David Kamakahi and Herb Ohta Jr., whieh Kamakahi said represents memories of their decade of teaching music together in beautiful Nāpili, Maui. A winner, we love this CD. Available on iTunes and music stores throughout the state.

/ MELEAILANA V ~ ISLAND MUSIC "

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