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| Students of Hālau Lōkahi charter school and others rally in support of a bill that would put a moratorium on genetic modification of kalo. - Photo: Lisa Asato |
A musical tribute to Nā Lani 'Ehā, Hawai'i's royal composers
In late 2007, the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame produced its first CD in a project titled, “Nā Lani 'Ehā,” featuring songs composed by ali'i of the Kalākaua dynasty and performed by Ku'uipo Kumukahi and the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame Serenaders. The group includes Isaac Akuna, Joseph Winchester and James “Kimo” Stone. Stone is the current president of the Hall of Fame.
The Hall of Fame names as its patrons and takes inspiration from Nā Lani 'Ehā (The Royal Four), ali'i who were renowned as composers and champions of Hawaiian music in the latter half of the 19th century. King David Kalākaua, his sisters Queen Lydia Kamaka'ehā Paki Lili'uokalani and Princess Miriam Likelike, and his brother, Prince William Pitt Leleiohoku were all noted composers, penning songs that are performed and enjoyed to this day.
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| Kuʻuipo Kumukahi |
“Nā Lani 'Ehā” is captivating and enchanting. Kumukahi has done a remarkable job in recreating the songs as their composers might have envisioned they would sound. The feel of the entire CD immediately evokes the monarchy period. Once you press “play,” it is easy to daydream of sitting in a parlor at 'Iolani Palace in the company of a visiting sea captain and his wife. There, on guitar, entertaining the company is your Queen, Ke Ali'i Wahine Lili'uokalani playing her brother's composition, Hawai'i Pono'ī. Nearby hangs a portrait of the composer, Ka Mō'ī, Kalākaua.
Asked about the period sound heard on the CD, Kumukahi says, “No, we didn't try for a particular sound. Their music is their music, it comes through no matter what … it's so obvious. We just played their music.”
The album contains not only “historical” music like the national anthem of the Kingdom of Hawai'i, but songs like Tūtū, about daily life with kūpuna wahine (grandmother) by Lili'uokalani, Koni Au, Kalākaua's drinking song, and Ku'u Ipo I Ka He'e Pu'e One. The latter, a beautiful ballad penned by Likelike, is still regularly performed by many artists more than a century after its composition.
Kumukahi says, “Think about this for a moment: Nowhere in the world, in that time or today, for that matter, do you find any world leader composing songs for their people and their kingdom.” Our royal family “wrote about their love affairs, their people, everyday life. You don't see anyone, anywhere, doing that!”
She points out that Lili'uokalani's “Manu Kapalulu is about the queen's annoyance with someone! 'Kulikuli au iā 'oe, manu kapalulu!' 'You be quiet, you chattering quail!' ”
One seemingly obvious omission is Lili'uokalani's Aloha 'Oe. It might have been perfect as a bookend to Hawai'i Pono'ī at the album's start. But Kumukahi says, “We didn't include a lot of the popular songs.”
“We decided to open with Hawai'i Pono'ī and closed with a prayer at the end. … I tried to stay away from popular songs, and tried to highlight the ones that were least recorded.”
The Hall of Fame will present a Lei of Stars Concert April 26 at Hawai'i Theatre as a tribute to its 2007 inductees: Jesse Kalima, John Pi'ilani Watkins, Bill Ka'iwa, Don McDiarmid Sr., Eddie Kamae, Peter Moon and Marlene Sai.
Kumukahi and the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame Serenaders will perform selections from the CD. Others on the bill are the Jesse Kalima 'Ohana, the Peter Moon Band, Nā Palapalai (representing John Watkins), Eddie Kamae, Owana Salazar, Cyril Pahinui and Uncle Bill Ka'iwa.
For tickets or more information, call 372-8921, email admin@hmhof.org or visit www.hmhof.org. Also visit www.hawaiimusicmuseum.org or www.ekuuipo.com.
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