MELE 'AILANA • island music

Kai Palaoa

Various artists
Daniel Ho Creations

By Francine Murray / Ka Wai Ola

Have you ever seen a humpback whale swimming through the ocean? They come home to the Islands every winter, like distant relatives, to bask in the blissfully warm waters offshore. Adult humpback whales can range in size from 40 to 50 feet, but the giants move with unimaginable grace like the hands of a hula dancer.

The new CD Kai Palaoa includes a special bonus music video of whale footage filmed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The whales featured in this music video are captivating with their relaxed elegance and beauty, perfectly paired with the serene and lovely title song "Kai Palaoa," an original by Grammy Award recipient Daniel Ho.

Last year, Sig Zane partnered with NOAA's National Marine Sanctuaries Office and launched a design also called Kai Palaoa, which is featured as part of the CD design. Zane's design contains two elements, his handwriting of the Wā 'Akahi portion of the Kumulipo and the 'ohe kāpala, or bamboo stamp, imagery of waves and islands.

Mālama i ke kai. A portion of the proceeds from this CD will help Kōkua Hawai'i Foundation and the Hawaiian Island Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary's education programs. To increase awareness of the need to care for Hawai'i's marine life and its oceans, an incredible group of fine Hawaiian musicians and vocalists have donated their time and talent to complete Kai Palaoa.

"Welo" by Amy Ku'uleialoha Stillman and Daniel Ho comes to life with the pleasing voice of Grammy-award-winner Tia Carrere. The Makaha Sons share the enjoyable "Kahea O Keale," along with Kawaikapuokalani Hewett's beautiful "E 'Akahai E Nā Hawai'i."

"Ka Uluwehi O Ke Kai" is a classic mele of the līpoa and limu kohu intermingled with the līpalu on the shore, a delight by George Kahumoku Jr. "E Ola Pono," by Kaukahi, sings of caring for earth and sea. "Island Days" is brought to us by Pali, and "Better Together," a light-hearted melody of dreams of me and you is an original by Jack Johnson.

There are three amazing instrumentals besides the title song. "Honu" is clever and magical in its quick plucking by David Kawika Kahiapo, "Alchemy Hour" is a gem by Herb Ohta Jr. and Daniel Ho, and "Alaula" by Steve Sano is quite soothing.

To listen to a demo or to order
Kai Palaoa, visit DanielHo.com.