Hawaiian Music
Hawaiian music is deeply rooted in the love for the islands. Reminding Hawaiians
of childhood memories, and
comforting the Hawaiian at heart, Hawaiian music is an ever evolving style.
Listen to a Ukulele Hapa-Haole song
and you feel how it relieves stress and relaxes. You might even feel inspired to
get up and dance to Hawaiian
music. Check out for a Hula Halau in the area where you live, and Hawaiian music
will take on a whole new meaning
for you.
For nearly 200 years, love for the natural beauty of the land has inspired the
poetry of Hawaiian music
composers. Hawaiian music also relates the people's passion for their homeland
and their beliefs. King David
Kalakaua and his sister, Queen Lili'uokalani, encouraged and supported Hawaiian
music and poetry. Royal composers
of Hawaiian lyric and Hawaiian music in the 1800s, they layed the foundation for
a vibrant Hawaiian music
community.
King Kalakaua's legacy includes his hymn to Kamehameha I, set to
Hawaiian music by Henry Berger and known
today as "Hawai`i Pono`i". It was the national anthem of the Hawaiian Monarchy
and is today the Hawaii State
Song. The most famous song of the late Queen Lili'uokalani is "Aloha 'Oe", the
first Hawaiian music "hit" outside
of the islands.
'Na Ali`i' by Samuel Kauhiwi is another famous expression of the Hawaiian music
heritage of the monarchy times.
It is still sung and recorded as Hawaiian music today, and includes Kamehameha III's
statement, Hawaii's motto: "E
mau ke ea o ka `aina I ka pono" (the life of the land is perpetuated in
righteousness).
Another living link to this time is the Royal Hawaiian Music Band. Founded by King Kamehameha III in 1836, the band
performed 152 years later, in 1988, in front of a packed house in New York
City's Carnegie Hall. Today it is an
agency of the City of Honolulu and remains the only full-time municipal band in
the United States, playing
Hawaiian music on Sundays at Kapi'olani Park in Honolulu.
Hawaiian music took a turn after the end of the monarchy, when it was
discouraged to speak the Hawaiian language.
The era of the Hapa-Haole Hawaiian music began around 1910: mostly romantic,
longing Hawaiian music songs written in
English with some Hawaiian words. While not necessarily all authentic, this time
helped both Hawaiian music and
the Hula to survive. And it is just experiencing a come back, with some of the
best tunes of that era of Hawaiian
music to be newly recorded. Soothing tunes of longing for the island paradise
touch all of us. Especially
combined with graceful Hula sways. Remember 'Lovely Hula Hands'?
With the renaissance of the Hawaiian culture in the 1980s, Hawaiian language
returned to Hawaiian music albums.
The traditional Hula Kahiko and Oli Chants resurfaced. Contemporary Hawaiian
musicians record their style,
drawing inspiration from their ancestors ways of life. Ukelele, Steel guitar,
and Slack key guitar are still the
instruments of Hawaiian music.
In the 1990s, beloved brother IZ (Israel Kamakawiwo`ole) brought international
attention to Hawaiian music with
his recordings. Beyond his early death 1997, his unique style Hawaiian music has
been featured in Hollywood movie
productions and remains in the top selling charts. Best-selling author Dean
Koontz honored brother IZ: "As I
wrote "From The Corner of His Eye", the singular and beautiful Hawaiian music of
the late Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
was always playing. I hope that the reader finds pleasure in my story equal to
the joy and consolation that I
found in the voice, the spirit, and the heart of Israel Kamakawiwo'ole."
In the year 2004, Hawaiian music has its own grammy award category. A rich and
diverse community of Hawaiian
musicians including Keali'i Reichel, Keola Beamer, Maunalua, Na Leo, Robi
Kahakalaua, Hapa, Amy Gilliom and Willi
K. and many others will make sure that Hawaiian music will face a bright future.
Click here to go to Hawaii Online Shop to bring
Hawaiian music to your living
room now.
back to Home