Hawaiian Concert Guide

🌺🎧 Hawaiian Concert Guide – Show #698
Illumination, Identity & Island Imagination
This week’s episode is built around a powerful theme: light, place, memory, and musical identity. From spiritually grounded Hawaiian mele to contemporary songwriting, slack key reflections, and a splash of mid-century exotica, Show #698 travels wide — and then brings us beautifully home.
🌿 Opening with Light – Kahiau Lam Ho
We begin with the luminous voice of Kahiau Lam Ho, whose album Hoʻomālamalama (“to illuminate”) frames the emotional tone of this episode.
✨ “Hoʻomālamalama” (feat. Stephen Inglis) A glowing collaboration with master guitarist Stephen Inglis. The arrangement is spacious and reverent, allowing Kahiau’s voice to rise with clarity and purpose. This song sets the spiritual and reflective tone of the show.
✨ “The One They Call Hawai‘i” A thoughtful meditation on identity — not the tourist postcard version, but the deeper Hawaiʻi shaped by culture, ʻāina, and lived experience. It’s contemporary in sound, yet firmly rooted in tradition.
🌺 Island Warmth – Kamalei Kawaa
From introspection we shift into melodic warmth with Kamalei Kawaa.
🌸 “Maui Girl (Special Version)” Light, breezy, and heartfelt — this track captures island romance with sincerity and charm.
🌸 “Hula’s Song” A gentle tribute to the cultural heartbeat of Hawaiʻi. The rhythm sways naturally, evoking the movement and grace of hula and the ʻike passed from kumu to haumāna.
🎸 Reflection & Perspective – Kawika Kahiapo
Next comes the expressive artistry of Kawika Kahiapo, blending singer-songwriter storytelling with slack key sensitivity.
🎶 “The Way It Is” Honest and grounded, this song carries lyrical introspection supported by Kawika’s fluid guitar phrasing.
🎶 “Another Time” A nostalgic reflection that feels both personal and universal. There’s space in this arrangement — room to think, to remember, and to feel.
🗺️ A Mid-Century Escape – Exotica Interlude
Then we take a playful turn into tropical imagination and retro island fantasy.
🌴 The Waitiki 7 – “Adventures in Paradise” Vibraphones shimmer, percussion dances lightly, and the soundscape becomes cinematic. It’s a stylized escape — colorful and transportive.
🌴 Les Waikikings – “Minoi Minoi” Hapa-haole charm with a twist. Lighthearted, rhythmic, and unmistakably vintage — a nod to how Hawaiʻi was imagined in mid-century pop culture.
🌊 Returning Home – Hoʻokena
We close with the rich harmonies of Hoʻokena, grounding the show once again in place and tradition.
🌺 “Aloha Hōnaunau” A heartfelt tribute to the sacred and historic district of Hōnaunau on Hawaiʻi Island. The harmonies are full and reverent, honoring the mana of place.
🌺 “Hilo Nani e” An affectionate celebration of Hilo — lush, rainy, beloved. A joyful and satisfying conclusion to a beautifully balanced episode.
🎧 Why This Show Matters
Show #698 explores:
• Illumination through faith and cultural identity • The warmth of contemporary Hawaiian songwriting • Reflection through slack key artistry • The playful imagination of exotica • And a grounding return to ʻāina and harmony
It’s modern yet rooted. Reflective yet joyful. A musical journey across time and place — all anchored in aloha.
🎧 Listen now and let the music illuminate your week.
Mahalo for supporting Hawaiian music and for keeping these stories alive. 🌺✨🤙

🌺 Hawaiian Concert Guide
Show #697 – Contemporary Voices, Classic Spirit & a Touch of Exotica
In this episode of the Hawaiian Concert Guide, we take a graceful journey through modern Hawaiian songwriting, timeless mele, masterful slack key guitar, and even a playful detour into vintage exotica. Show #697 highlights the deep respect today’s artists have for tradition—while confidently adding their own voices to the ongoing Hawaiian musical story.
🎶 Kamalei Kawaa – Mānaiakalani
We open the show with Kamalei Kawaa’s soulful and reverent work from his album Mānaiakalani. The title track sets the tone with poetic Hawaiian language and a sense of spiritual grounding that immediately draws the listener in.
“Mānaiakalani” A reflective and uplifting mele that speaks to divine sustenance and guidance, carried by Kamalei’s smooth, confident vocals.

“Lei Pakalana” (feat. Kamaehu Kawa‘a) A beautiful collaboration celebrating the fragrant pakalana lei. The song weaves romance, place, and memory together, enhanced by the warm blend of voices and traditional musical sensibility.

🌿 Kahiau Lam Ho – Hoʻomālamalama
From one of Hawaiʻi’s most respected young voices, Kahiau Lam Ho delivers songs rooted in faith, ʻike kupuna (ancestral knowledge), and lyrical elegance.
“Ka Lehua I Milia” A gentle, poetic mele centered on the beloved lehua flower—symbolic of love, resilience, and connection to the land.

“E Mililani O Iehova” A powerful expression of spiritual devotion, blending Hawaiian language hymnody with Kahiau’s signature clarity and emotional depth.

🎸 Kawika Kahiapo – Kuʻu Manaʻo
Slack key guitar artistry takes center stage with Kawika Kahiapo, whose playing is both technically brilliant and emotionally expressive.
“Life in These Islands” A thoughtful instrumental that paints a musical portrait of island life—its rhythms, calm, and complexity—through Kawika’s masterful guitar work.

“Aloha Kaua” Translating to “love of war” or “conflicted love,” this piece balances tension and beauty, reflecting Kawika’s ability to tell layered stories without words.

🗺️ The Waitiki 7 – Adventures in Paradise
We then take a playful and unexpected turn into exotica with The Waitiki 7, a band known for reviving and reimagining mid-century tiki lounge sounds.
“Octopus Menagerie” Whimsical, cinematic, and fun—this track feels like a soundtrack to a surreal underwater adventure.

“Mood Indigo” A lush and moody reinterpretation that blends jazz roots with exotica flair, adding a sophisticated twist to the show’s flow.

🌊 Hoʻokena – Hoʻokena 5
We close the show by returning to the heart of Hawaiian music with Hoʻokena, whose harmonies and musicianship remain timeless.
“Aloha Mai e Pele” A respectful and evocative tribute to Pele, the goddess of volcanoes and creation, delivered with sincerity and cultural reverence.

“Ka Wahine Lewa i ke Kai” A lively and well-loved mele celebrating the grace and strength of a woman moving through the sea—an uplifting way to conclude the episode.

🎧 Final Thoughts
Show #697 is a wonderful snapshot of Hawaiian music today—deeply rooted, spiritually aware, musically adventurous, and joyfully expressive. From heartfelt mele and virtuosic slack key to a splash of exotica fun, this episode honors the past while celebrating the present.
Mahalo for listening, and as always, keep Hawaiian music playing wherever you are 🌈🎶

Hawaiian Concert Guide – Show #696
Show #696 weaves together contemporary Hawaiian mele, masterful slack key guitar, a reverent royal prayer, and a playful detour into retro exotica—then returns home with modern harmonies and a closing affirmation of identity.
Detailed Playlist
“Kaulana ʻo Maui” — Kamalei Kawaa (1:20)
Album: Mānaiakalani
A short, vivid mele that celebrates the renown of Maui. Kamalei Kawaa opens the episode with a strong sense of place and cultural grounding, offering an inviting entry point into the show’s island-centered storytelling. Despite its brief runtime, the track sets an intentional tone: rooted, respectful, and warmly personal.

“Hawaiian Rainbow” — Kahiau Lam Ho (2:50)
Album: Hoʻomālamalama
Bright and uplifting, this track carries a message of hope and renewal. Kahiau Lam Ho’s contemporary approach pairs accessible melody with a distinctly Hawaiian sensibility, making it a feel-good moment that still honors cultural continuity. The song’s optimism complements the episode’s opening theme of place and belonging.

“Kona Moon” — Kahiau Lam Ho (2:37)
Album: Hoʻomālamalama
A mellow, romantic island-night reflection inspired by the Kona coast. The pacing and phrasing invite listeners into a quieter emotional space—warm, intimate, and unhurried. Placed after “Hawaiian Rainbow,” it shifts the mood from celebratory brightness to a more contemplative evening glow.

“East Side Slack Key” — Kawika Kahiapo (4:01)
Album: Kuʻu Manaʻo
A standout instrumental showcasing the depth of kī hō‘alu (slack key guitar). Kawika Kahiapo’s touch is both precise and expressive, balancing rhythmic drive with open, resonant harmony. This track provides a spacious listening moment—ideal for appreciating the nuance and tradition embedded in Hawaiian guitar craft.

“Nani Wale Kualoa” — Kawika Kahiapo (3:53)
Album: Kuʻu Manaʻo
A musical love letter to Kualoa—its beauty, presence, and sense of mana. The melody and phrasing feel place-centered and reverent, continuing the episode’s theme of honoring specific landscapes through sound. The pairing with “East Side Slack Key” creates a strong mid-show slack key feature block.

“Queen’s Prayer” — Jerome Koko, Daniel Ho & Tia Carrere (3:28)
Album: Makaha Sons Memoirs
A deeply reverent rendition of Queen Liliʻuokalani’s prayer, offered with restraint and respect. The arrangement emphasizes reflection and spiritual gravity rather than ornamentation, allowing the message and history to remain central. This performance serves as a meaningful cultural anchor in the episode—devotional, dignified, and moving.

“Ned’s Redemption” — The Waitiki 7 (1:17)
Album: Adventures In Paradise
A brief, cinematic exotica vignette—playful and atmosphere-driven. Positioned after “Queen’s Prayer,” it functions as a palate cleanser: a quick tonal pivot that keeps the episode dynamic while still staying within an island-adjacent musical universe.

“Sacha-Cha” — The Waitiki 7 (2:35)
Album: Adventures In Paradise
Upbeat and retro, this track leans into classic lounge/exotica energy with rhythmic flair. It’s a lighthearted interlude that adds variety and fun—an intentional shift that refreshes the ear before the program returns to contemporary Hawaiian songwriting and harmony.

“Home” — Waipuna (4:22)
Album: Manaʻo Pili
A heartfelt modern Hawaiian composition centered on belonging and emotional roots. Waipuna’s polished harmonies and contemporary production create a sense of welcome and familiarity—bringing the episode back from the playful exotica detour into a grounded, lyric-forward Hawaiian space.

“E Ku Kanaka” — Hoʻokena (4:57)
Album: Hoʻokena 5
A powerful closing statement affirming identity, pride, and perseverance. Hoʻokena’s folk-rooted approach and steady drive make this a resonant finale—leaving listeners with a strong sense of purpose and cultural continuity. A fitting conclusion to an episode built around place, heritage, and the living voice of Hawaiian music today.

Episode Summary
Show #696 moves from place-based mele and contemporary Hawaiian songwriting into a featured slack key set, pauses for a reverent royal prayer, and then takes a playful side-trip through exotica—before returning “Home” and closing with a bold affirmation in “E Ku Kanaka.” A complete listen that reflects both the roots and the range of Hawaiian and island-influenced music.

Hawaiian Concert Guide – Show 695
Mele Kalikimaka: No Snow
Posting Date: January 2, 2026
This episode presents a Hawaiian-centered view of Christmas—warm weather, ʻohana, ʻukulele-forward arrangements, modern island pop, cultural continuity, and local identity. The selections reflect how Christmas is lived and felt in Hawaiʻi and across the island diaspora, without reliance on winter imagery or snow.
Playlist & Show Notes (Original Order)
No Snow
Anuhea — All Is Bright — 4:08
Hawaiian
Share: 1 of 6 – in the share
Added / Played: 01/02/26
A declarative opening track that establishes the theme of the episode. “No Snow” embraces a distinctly local Christmas experience—sunshine, island rhythms, and a confident rejection of mainland winter clichés.

The Ukulele Christmas Song
Anuhea — All Is Bright — 3:16
Hawaiian
Share: 1 of 6 – in the share
Added / Played: 01/02/26
Light, joyful, and ʻukulele-centered, this track reinforces the relaxed island tone of the show and highlights the instrument as a seasonal cultural anchor.

At Christmas Time (feat. Pure Heart)
Jake Shimabukuro & Pure Heart — ’Tis the Season — 4:00
Share: 4 of 13
Added / Played: 01/02/26
Rich harmonies from Pure Heart paired with Jake Shimabukuro’s expressive ʻukulele evoke community singing traditions and the warmth of shared holiday gatherings.

This Christmas
Jake Shimabukuro & Justin Kawika Young — ’Tis the Season — 3:45
Share: 8 of 13
Added / Played: 01/02/26
A soulful, contemporary take on a familiar holiday standard, blending virtuoso ʻukulele work with modern Hawaiian vocal phrasing.

I’ll Be Home for Christmas
Raeatea Helm — I’ll Be Home for Christmas — 4:02
YouTube link A reflective, intimate performance centered on homecoming—particularly resonant for island families spread across oceans and continents.

We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain — 2:14
YouTube link A playful, high-energy arrangement that highlights the ʻukulele’s global reach while adding contrast and humor to the set.

Mele Kalikimaka
Iam Tongi & Bing Crosby — Bing Crosby 75th Anniversary Edition — 3:45
YouTube link (as provided) The centerpiece of the episode. This iconic song bridges generations, connecting a classic recording legacy with a modern Hawaiian voice and reaffirming the song’s enduring cultural role.

Jingle Bell Rock
Kalaʻe + Kalena + Kalikimaka 2024 — 2:35
YouTube link A youthful, energetic island take on a rock-and-roll Christmas classic, injecting momentum and contemporary flair into the playlist.

We Are a Voice
Kalaʻe + Kalena + Kalikimaka 2024 — 4:17
YouTube link More than a holiday song, this track emphasizes unity, representation, and the role of the next generation in carrying culture forward.

Rapped in a Bow
Kalani Peʻa — Purple Hawaiian Christmas — 3:19
Share from 2022 — 2 of 11 A contemporary Christmas song grounded in Hawaiian identity, blending modern production with strong cultural presence.

Kanakaloka
Kalani Peʻa — Purple Hawaiian Christmas — 2:33
Share from 2022 — 9 of 11 A culturally rooted piece that deepens the emotional and linguistic range of the episode.

Hawaiian Concert Guide
Show 694 – Nano Banana

Episode Synopsis
Welcome to Show 694 – Nano Banana. This episode takes listeners on a sweeping musical journey across Hawaiian heritage: beginning with timeless mele rooted in the landscapes and stories of Waipiʻo Valley and the Hawaiian monarchy, moving through themes of aloha ʻāina and environmental stewardship, honoring the legacy and refinement of the Makaha Sons, venturing into the lush and cinematic world of modern Exotica, and finally returning home through the warm harmonies of Waipuna.
The playful title “Nano Banana” reflects how small musical details reveal surprisingly big cultural stories — a perfect theme for this carefully curated playlist.
Playlist – Show 694: Nano Banana
Hiʻilawe – Kahiau Lam Ho (4:19)
Ho‘omālamalama
“Hiʻilawe” is one of the most iconic traditional mele of Hawaiʻi, tied to Waipiʻo Valley on Hawaiʻi Island. The mele references the towering Hiʻilawe waterfall and a story of hidden love. Generations of musicians—from Sam Liʻa to Gabby Pahinui—have carried this mele forward. Kahiau Lam Ho’s contemporary interpretation preserves the melodic intimacy of the piece while presenting it through a modern vocal and production style.

 
Sanoe – Kahiau Lam Ho (4:56)
Ho‘omālamalama
Composed by Queen Liliʻuokalani and Princess Likelike, “Sanoe” is a mele filled with kaona—hidden meaning—traditionally understood as a story of secret royal affection. Lam Ho’s version leans into the quiet emotional tone of the mele, using minimalist accompaniment that allows the poetry and nuance to shine.

 
Pukalani Hale – Kawika Kahiapo (4:26)
Kuʻu Manaʻo
“Pukalani Hale” is a place-based mele grounded in the upcountry region of Pukalani on Maui — often translated as “heavenly gateway.” Kawika Kahiapo, known for his warm slack-key guitar and heartfelt delivery, performs the mele as an expression of home, spirituality, and gratitude. His musicianship reinforces the intimate connection between land and identity.

 
Mother Earth – Kawika Kahiapo (4:15)
Kuʻu Manaʻo
“Mother Earth” expands Hawaiian concepts of aloha ʻāina to a global message of environmental responsibility. Kahiapo uses gentle acoustic textures to remind listeners of their obligation to care for the planet. The mele blends Hawaiian worldview with modern ecological awareness, making it a contemporary anthem of stewardship.

 
Queen’s Jubilee – Jerome Koko & Daniel Ho (5:15)
Makaha Sons Memoirs
“Queen’s Jubilee” celebrates the musical heritage of the Makaha Sons through the talents of Jerome Koko and Grammy-winning producer Daniel Ho. Their collaboration fuses refined acoustic arrangements with the sentimental warmth associated with the monarchy era. The piece functions as a tribute — both to the past and to the many voices that shaped Hawaiian music across generations.

 
Ka Makani Kā‘ili Aloha – Jerome Koko & Daniel Ho (4:56)
Makaha Sons Memoirs
A beloved classic mele often translated as “The Wind That Steals Love Away,” the song personifies wind as an emotional force. Koko and Ho offer a clean, harmony-rich interpretation that honors the poetic storytelling at the heart of the mele. It pairs beautifully with “Queen’s Jubilee” to form a thematic homage to Hawaiian musical legacy.

 
Ouanalao – The Waitiki 7 (4:33)
Adventures in Paradise
“Ouanalao,” named after the indigenous term for Saint Barthélemy, fits squarely in the spirit of mid-century Exotica while elevating it with jazz sophistication and modern cultural respect. The Waitiki 7 are known for reinvigorating Exotica through scholarly musicianship rather than kitsch. This track creates a lush world-fusion soundscape that expands the emotional palette of the show.

 
L’ours Chinois – The Waitiki 7 (8:07)
Adventures in Paradise
“The Chinese Bear” is a long-form instrumental journey blending Asian thematic colors, jazz improvisation, shifting tempo landscapes, and intricate percussion. It is cinematic in scope and demonstrates the ensemble’s ability to honor Exotica’s roots while pushing it into new, musically ambitious territory. The track deepens the atmospheric middle section of the episode.

 
Lehua Mamo – Waipuna (4:22)
Manaʻo Pili
A mele celebrating the cherished yellow lehua blossom. Waipuna’s arrangement uses contemporary harmonies and polished production to honor traditional imagery of forests, blossoms, and affection. The emotional tone begins to guide listeners back toward themes of home, love, and belonging.

 
Home Kapaka – Waipuna (3:55)
Manaʻo Pili
A perfect closing mele expressing homecoming, identity, and emotional grounding. Waipuna’s clear vocals and gentle arrangement bring the episode full circle, returning listeners to the values of place, ʻohana, and aloha that shape Hawaiian experience.

 
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