Island rhythms, island beats,
island aloha Kalikimaka

REVIEW

By Francine Murray / Ka Wai Ola Loa

Christmas Aloha: From our 'Ohana to Yours
Mountain Apple Co.

What is Christmas Aloha? Ua maluhia mana'olana a me 'oli'oli ia – it's peace, hope and the joy of the season, a celebration of our island lifestyle, and it's a new Christmas CD that unites an impressive lineup of big-name award-winning island artists on one special holiday disc.

Jon de Mello, the CEO of the Mountain Apple Company was approached by Wal-Mart to produce a Christmas album featuring Hawaiian artists, exclusively for the Wal-Mart chain of stores. In similar partnerships, Wal-Mart has recently offered exclusive new products to its customers featuring musical greats like the Eagles, Journey and Carrie Underwood.

To produce the Hawaiian CD, the tracks in the collection were handpicked from previously recorded works. Christmas Aloha starts the holiday cheer with the amazing rendition of "We Three Kings," warm and full with gyrating beats and island rhythms from the Brothers Cazimero's Christmas Collection, produced in 1984.

Teresa Bright's "Island Christmas," from her album A Bright Hawaiian Christmas, of 1995, is both charming and delightful. Bright's voice is refreshing, like an iced tea on a hot sunny day. You just can't wait to take it all in. Aloha Kalikimaka, the warm sentiment resounds throughout this CD, and especially in the fifth track, "I Love Christmas" from Christmas Time by Eddie Kamae and The Sons of Hawai'i.

Also featured on the new compilation CD is Ledward Kaapana's "Silent Night" from his album Kī Hō'alu Christmas. On his slack key guitar, this version of "Silent Night" is like a lullaby that drifts into a dream. And speaking of a dream, Amy Hānaiali'i's voice is sheer magic. If you like the song "Hark the Herald Angels Sing," you will fall in love when you hear Hānaiali'i sing it in Hawaiian. "Hāmau E Nā Kānaka," is from her 2007 CD A Hawaiian Christmas.

Christmas Aloha also includes music by Nā Hōkū Hanohano award winners Hapa and Keali'i Reichel. Finally, this star shines brightly in "O Holy Night" from Willie K's remarkable 1999 CD Willie Kalikimaka, still available in stores.

Here we know that Christmas will be green and bright. Have a joyous holiday season with good friends, family and good music. All these incredible Hawaiian Christmas classics are now available in one convenient package that's sure to become an island holiday tradition. Christmas Aloha makes a great gift for friends and family here in paradise and abroad. It's available at Wal-Mart stores throughout the state and online at www.walmart.com.