Posted on: Sunday, October 16, 2005
ISLAND SOUNDS
'Kanikapila O'ahu Style' a 12-attraction, circle-island tour
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
Now you can cruise O'ahu with a soundtrack of songs that takes you to Pauoa as well as Diamond Head — tuneful postcards that recall white sandy beaches as well as country roads.
If your journey takes you to Hana, a re-issue brings back melodies of Hana, Maui, rendered by a prolific singer, composer and entertainer.
And fans of Hawai'i's canary can savor her melodic and magical charms, too.
"KANIKAPILA O'AHU STYLE" BY VARIOUS ARTISTS; MOUNTAIN APPLE RECORDS
Genre: Contemporary Hawaiian music.
Distinguishing notes: Produced by the O'ahu Visitors Bureau, with vital resources and input from The Mountain Apple Co., this splendid 12-song assembly assuredly spotlights O'ahu with performances by an award-winning stable of troupers.
The Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau renders two tracks, "Take a Walk in the Country" and "Mehameha/White Sandy Beach," and Israel Kamakawiwo'ole Hawaiianizes John Denver's "Take Me Home Country Roads." Ho'okena goes holoholo-ing with "Kaimuki Hula," and The Brothers Cazimero journeys to rainbow territory on "Ka Beauty A'o Manoa." Na Leo rollicks through "North Shore Serenade," and Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom revisits "Waikiki."
Raiatea Helm waxes eloquent (and serious) about the Windward side on "Leiana Kiele," while Darren Benitez's falsetto sashays through "Aloha O'ahu." The Hawaiian Style Band brings sizzle to "Kaimana Hila," and Dennis Pavao visits a favored valley on "Pauoa Liko Ka Lehua." Sean Na'auao bids everyone a fond "Aloha 'Oe."
The liner suggests an O'ahu tour, courtesy of visitors bureau, with a handy-dandy recapitulation of the origins of all songs for those who want to extend their excursion beyond this CD.
The outlook: No longer is O'ahu neglected in island-by-island tributes; this compilation fills a void, and you don't need a tour guide.
Our take: Consider this an aural postcard — for visitors, it just might add juice to a back-home slide show.
"SONGS TO REMEMBER: HANA MAUI" BY JOHN PI'ILANI WATKINS AND HIS HEAVENLY HAWAIIANS; HANAOLA RECORDS
Genre: Re-issue of 1950s Hawaiian classics.
Distinguishing notes: This one's an excursion back to 1950s Maui, exploring the melodies and enduring charm of John Pi'ilani Watkins, a noted singer, chanter, kumu hula, choreographer, educator, composer and recording artist of another era. The source of this vintage material is 49th State Records, a label that showcased pre-statehood artists and composers. What's here is heard in the original form — charming renderings from 78 rpm discs of the era. The fare ranges from the atmospheric "Hana Chant" to the bouncy "Noho Paipai (the Rocking Chair Hula)," the rhapsodic "Heavenly Hana" (with a pure and rich falsetto) to the parting refrains of "Farewell, Hana Bids You Aloha." Many songs still are regularly performed.
The outlook: This CD is a tribute to a beloved composer as well as a precious place where time seemingly stands still.
Our take: A real Maui wowie.
"LINDA DELA CRUZ: HAWAII'S CANARY" BY LINDA DELA CRUZ; HANAOIA RECORDS
Genre: Traditional Hawaiian.
Distinguishing notes: This anthology captures a marvelous groundbreaking talent, rightfully nicknamed Hawaii's Canary for her succulent notes. As a soloist and a member of the famed Halekulani Girls, Dela Cruz was one of the prime movers of pre-statehood Island sounds, performing in clubs now long gone. This collection revives some of her fabled versions of some of the favored tunes of her era — "Akaka Falls," "Royal Hawaiian Hotel," "Hupe Kole," "Beautiful Kahana," "Kaulana O Hilo Hanakahi," "None Hula," "Hanohano Olinda." Digitally remastered, the 23-tune assembly serves as a primer of traditional Island fare by one of the bright lights. Harry B. Soria Jr.'s informed and illuminating liner notes, about Dela Cruz and about each song, serve the listener well. Dela Cruz's contributions to the annals of recorded Hawaiiana have been duly appreciated, notably by the 2003 Na Hoku Hanohano Lifetime Achievement Award.
The outlook: The oldies still have magical charm — and never lose their allure.
Our take: This treasure gives future generations of singers, musicians and hula dancers access to a resource of unending joy.
Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.
