Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau / Hui Ohana

The Real Music of Hawai'i

As summer winds down and the temperature begins to drop the moments spent in the backyard with a Mai Tai or a Tonga Punch become fewer and farther between. That's why the right music is so important during this time of year. Don't let the end of summer be ruined by limiting yourself to continued listenings of that same old "Reparata & The Delrons" album you've been listening to repeatedly since 1964.

Allow The Tuna Melt to, once again, whisk you away to a magical place where the sun shines bright, the palm trees sway in a warm breeze and you live in constant fear of being struck in the noggin' by falling coconuts; Hawai'i!

This is the REAL music of Hawai'i. Of course, I realize that Reggae is Huge in Hawai'i these days, and I remain a large fan of good ol' Hapa Haole hits with which we're all so familiar as well as Exotica (perhaps my favorite of all these genres). But Slack-Key Guitar is a truly original Hawai'ian art form. This is really beautiful music.

The first group represented here is "Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau". The group was founded in 1976 and led by Skippy Kamakawiwoʻole. It's best known member, however, was probably Skippy's brother Israel , who later became enormously famous (as well as, due to a genetic disorder, simply enormous) as a ukulele player of great creativity and virtuosity. "No Kristo" is their premier album, from 1976 on Poki Records, and is guaranteed to send your thoughts to ports of pleasure.

Makaha Sons of Ni'iahau: No Kristo

1. Hanakeoki
2. Pua Tubarose
3. Waikiki Hula
4. Morning Dew
5. Manu Kolohe
6. Hele Mai
7. E Nonoi I Ka Haaku / Kanaka Waiwa
8. Po'e Koa
9. Freedom of Makaha
10. Nane
11. Papalina Lahilahi
12. No Kristo

Next are two albums by one of my favorite Slack-key groups of all time: Hui Ohana. Led (no pun intended) by Ledward Kaʻapana and featuring his brother Nedward and cousin Dennis Pavao, Hui Ohana were at the forefront of the Hawai'ian Music Renaissance of the 70s.

Hui Ohana: Young Hawaii Plays Old Hawaii

1. Nani Waimea
2. Salomila
3. E Liliu E
4. E Mama E
5. 'Ulupalakua
6. Sweet Lei Mokihana
7. U'i Lani
8. Kaloaloa
9. Pua Lililehua
10. Nanakuli
11. Pua Maeole
12. Hula O Makee
13. Pui Lilia

Hui Ohana: Ono

1. Hele On to Kauai
2. Magic Island
3. Punahoa Special (Slack Key Instrumental)
4. Kaulana Kawihae
5. Hanalei Moon
6. Ke Kali Nei Au (The Hawaiian Wedding Song)
7. Ka'a Ahi Kahului
8. Pili Aloha
9. Kaulana Na Pua
10. Wai Ulu
11. Granada (Ukulele Solo Instrumental)
12. Blue Darlin'

Onipa'a E Na Lei O Hawai'i