Hawaiian Concert Guide

Hawaiian Concert Guide – Show 704
Molokaʻi Sweet Home
Music of Home, Heritage, Harmony... and a Journey into Exotica
This episode of the Hawaiian Concert Guide celebrates one of the most enduring themes in Hawaiian music: love of home ('āina). From the quiet beauty of Molokaʻi to timeless Hawaiian standards, from contemporary voices carrying on the tradition to the fascinating world of mid-century Exotica, Show 704 takes listeners on a musical journey that explores how Hawaiʻi has inspired both those who call it home and those who dreamed of its distant shores.
Our featured artists include Ei Nei, Eric Lee, Kaleo Phillips, Martin Denny, and Hoʻokena, creating a program that blends authentic Hawaiian music with historical musical perspectives.
Opening
Welcome everyone to another edition of the Hawaiian Concert Guide! I'm Piko, and this episode is titled "Molokaʻi Sweet Home."
Tonight we're celebrating music rooted deeply in the Hawaiian Islands—songs about home, family, culture, and identity. Along the way we'll step briefly into the fascinating world of Exotica with Martin Denny before returning home again through the beautiful harmonies of Hoʻokena.
So let's begin our journey...
Ei Nei
Molokaʻi Sweet Home
Album: Ei Nei, Look At Us
The show opens with a heartfelt tribute to one of Hawaiʻi's most beloved islands.
Molokaʻi has long been known as the "Friendly Isle," famous for preserving traditional Hawaiian lifestyles and remaining largely untouched by mass tourism. Unlike Waikīkī or Maui's resort communities, Molokaʻi represents old Hawaiʻi—a place where family, fishing, ranching, and community remain central to everyday life.
Musically, Ei Nei creates an intimate atmosphere using:
rich vocal harmonies
acoustic guitars
gentle island rhythm
restrained production
Rather than emphasizing technical virtuosity, the performance allows the lyrics and harmonies to communicate warmth and belonging.
The song immediately establishes the central theme of tonight's program:
Home isn't simply where you live—it becomes part of who you are.
Hiʻilawe (feat. Mālie Lyman)
Next comes one of Hawaiian music's enduring classics.
"Hiʻilawe" was written by the legendary Samuel Kalāinaina and celebrates the famous Hiʻilawe Falls in Waipiʻo Valley on Hawaiʻi Island.
Over the decades it has become one of the most frequently recorded songs in Hawaiian music, interpreted by everyone from Gabby Pahinui to contemporary artists.
Ei Nei's version is notable because it avoids trying to reinvent the classic.
Instead they focus on:
clean vocal blend
tasteful acoustic accompaniment
respect for traditional melody
The addition of Mālie Lyman adds another vocal texture while maintaining the song's traditional character.
This performance serves as a reminder that Hawaiian standards continue living through each new generation of musicians.
Eric Lee
E Ola No Kākou
Album: The Islands Are Calling
Eric Lee has become one of Hawaiian music's most respected singer-songwriters.
"E Ola No Kākou" translates roughly as:
"May We All Live"
or
"Life for All of Us."
Rather than focusing on one island or one family, this song expands the show's perspective toward the entire Hawaiian community.
Musically we hear:
polished contemporary production
strong lead vocals
layered harmony
modern acoustic instrumentation
The arrangement remains distinctly Hawaiian while incorporating production values that make it accessible to worldwide audiences.
Its message is optimistic, inclusive, and deeply rooted in aloha.
Ke ʻAno O Ka Hawaiʻi
The title translates as:
"The Nature of Hawaiʻi"
or
"The Character of Hawaiʻi."
Although shorter than many songs in today's playlist, it delivers an important cultural statement.
Rather than describing scenic beauty alone, the lyrics explore the qualities that define Hawaiian identity:
aloha
respect
tradition
community
connection to the land
Musically it's concise and melodic, functioning almost like a musical reflection between larger works.
Kaleo Phillips
Ka Lamakū
Album: E Mama
"Lamakū" literally means torch or beacon.
Within Hawaiian symbolism it often represents:
guidance
knowledge
leadership
passing wisdom from one generation to another
Kaleo Phillips delivers the song with emotional restraint rather than theatrical intensity.
His warm vocal style blends naturally with contemporary Hawaiian acoustic arrangements while remaining firmly grounded in traditional musical values.
It's another reminder that Hawaiian music often teaches as much as it entertains.
Kuʻulei Awapuhi / Magic Island
This medley beautifully combines two very different images.
The first half celebrates ʻawapuhi, the fragrant wild ginger flower often associated with affection and beauty.
The second half shifts geographically to Magic Island, the man-made peninsula adjoining Ala Moana Beach Park on Oʻahu.
The transition works surprisingly well because both songs celebrate cherished places through personal memories.
Arrangement highlights include:
smooth transitions
tasteful steel guitar textures
flowing rhythmic accompaniment
strong ensemble vocals
The medley creates a feeling of taking a leisurely drive through the islands, connecting people with places they love.
Exotica Segment
Tonight's Exotica segment offers an interesting contrast.
Where Hawaiian musicians perform music from within the culture, Exotica was largely created by American composers imagining distant tropical paradise.
Although not authentically Hawaiian, Exotica became enormously influential during the 1950s and helped introduce millions of listeners to sounds inspired by Polynesia and the South Pacific.
Martin Denny
On a Little Street in Singapore
Album: Hypnotique
Martin Denny became known as the father of Exotica.
This piece isn't Hawaiian at all—instead it evokes Southeast Asia through a mixture of:
vibraphone
unusual percussion
lounge rhythms
atmospheric orchestration
Denny's genius wasn't documentary realism.
Instead he created musical travel postcards, inviting listeners to imagine distant exotic locations.
The recording captures the optimism and fascination with world travel that characterized post-war America.
Voodoo Dreams
One of the darker tracks in Denny's catalog.
Rather than emphasizing melody, this piece builds atmosphere through:
tribal percussion
dramatic orchestration
mysterious harmonies
rhythmic tension
It's cinematic rather than traditional.
Within today's episode, it serves as a fascinating historical contrast before we return to authentic Hawaiian voices.
Hoʻokena
He Hawaiʻi Au
Album: Nā Kai ʻEwalu
Few vocal groups have represented modern traditional Hawaiian music more beautifully than Hoʻokena.
"He Hawaiʻi Au" simply means:
"I Am Hawaiian."
This is perhaps the strongest statement of identity in today's playlist.
Immediately listeners notice:
rich four-part harmonies
effortless vocal blend
beautiful dynamic control
traditional Hawaiian phrasing
After the Exotica segment, this recording feels like returning home.
The contrast is intentional.
Instead of someone imagining Hawaiʻi, we hear Hawaiians singing about themselves.
Ka Puʻulena
We conclude tonight with another treasured Hawaiian classic.
"Ka Puʻulena" has been performed by generations of Hawaiian musicians and remains one of the repertoire's most beloved mele.
Hoʻokena's arrangement showcases everything that makes the group exceptional:
impeccable harmony
emotional sincerity
traditional interpretation
outstanding ensemble balance
Rather than adding unnecessary embellishment, they allow the song's natural beauty to shine.
It is a fitting conclusion to an episode centered on home, identity, and cultural continuity.
Closing Thoughts
Tonight's playlist followed a musical arc that began on Molokaʻi, traveled through contemporary Hawaiian songwriting, paused briefly in the imagined tropical landscapes of Martin Denny's Exotica, and ultimately returned home through the timeless harmonies of Hoʻokena.
The contrast reminds us that Hawaiʻi has inspired musicians around the world for generations—but there remains something uniquely powerful about hearing these stories told by those whose roots run deep in the islands.
Whether you're listening from Hawaiʻi or halfway around the globe, we hope tonight's music has brought a little aloha into your home.
Mahalo for joining us on Hawaiian Concert Guide Show 704. Until next time, mālama pono, and aloha!

Hawaiian Concert Guide Show 703
The Bermuda Triangle
Hawaiian Concert Guide Show 703, titled “The Bermuda Triangle”, is structured as a three-point journey through contemporary Hawaiian music, traditional mele, and the stylized mid-century exotica genre. The title reflects this triangular movement—authentic Hawaiian expression, modern interpretation, and the globalized “tiki-era” imagination of island sound. Rather than presenting these as competing styles, this episode places them in dialogue, allowing listeners to hear both contrast and continuity across eras and intentions.
The first portion of the show is anchored in contemporary Hawaiian music that remains deeply connected to language, land, and cultural identity. Artists like Ei Nei, Eric Lee, and Kaleo Phillips demonstrate how Hawaiian music continues to evolve while maintaining strong ties to mele traditions, storytelling, and regional pride. The midpoint exotica segment introduces a historical divergence, highlighting how Hawaiian and Pacific imagery was interpreted for global audiences in the mid-20th century. The show ultimately resolves this contrast by returning to the foundational sound of Ho‘okena, whose vocal harmonies and closing oli reconnect the listener with Hawaiian cultural roots.
A notable production detail in this episode is the inclusion of material from Eric Lee’s album The Islands Are Calling, which features collaborative songwriting contributions, including respected Hawaiian musician and producer Moon Kauakahi. Known for his work with Nā Leo Pilimehana and his influence as a songwriter, arranger, and producer, Moon Kauakahi’s involvement adds an additional layer of musical credibility and craftsmanship to the album’s compositions.
Track-by-Track Reference
“Kauikeōlani,” performed by Ei Nei from the album Ei Nei, Look At Us (track 1 of 14, duration 2:18, categorized under Worldwide/Hawaiian contemporary), opens the episode with a composed and reverent tone. Ei Nei is a trio known for its refined vocal harmonies and contemporary production style, often blending Hawaiian language with modern melodic sensibilities. This track functions as a ceremonial introduction, with phrasing and pacing that evoke the structure of a mele inoa, honoring historical and cultural legacy.
“Aia I Ka Maui (Ka Maui),” also by Ei Nei from Ei Nei, Look At Us (track 2 of 14, duration 3:15, Worldwide/Hawaiian contemporary), continues with a place-based composition centered on Maui. The song reflects the Hawaiian tradition of mele ʻāina, where land is not simply described but honored as a living entity tied to identity and ancestry. Ei Nei’s arrangement balances accessibility with cultural authenticity, making the piece both engaging and meaningful.
“The Islands Are Calling,” performed by Eric Lee from the album The Islands Are Calling (track 1 of 10, duration 4:17, Hawaiian genre), introduces a broader melodic structure that leans into contemporary island music while maintaining Hawaiian thematic elements. The song reflects a sense of invitation and connection, often interpreted as a call back to Hawai‘i for those who have left or feel spiritually tied to the islands. The album itself includes collaborative songwriting contributions, with Moon Kauakahi credited as a co-writer on select tracks, reinforcing the project’s strong ties to established Hawaiian music traditions.
“Hanohano Kilauea Ku I Ka La‘i,” also by Eric Lee from The Islands Are Calling (track 2 of 10, duration 4:02, Hawaiian genre), is a tribute to Kīlauea. The use of the word “hanohano” places the song within the category of praise compositions, aligning with traditional mele that honor significant natural and cultural landmarks. The piece reflects both the physical presence of the volcano and its deeper cultural associations, including its connection to Pele, the Hawaiian deity of fire and volcanoes.
“Ka Nani a‘o Ka‘u,” performed by Kaleo Phillips from the album E Mama (track 2 of 13, duration 3:55, Hawaiian genre), highlights the Ka‘ū district of Hawai‘i Island. Kaleo Phillips is recognized for his smooth vocal delivery and emotionally grounded songwriting. This track emphasizes regional pride and the beauty of place, continuing the episode’s strong thematic focus on land and identity.
“Hilina‘i Mau,” also by Kaleo Phillips from E Mama (track 3 of 13, duration 3:49, Hawaiian genre), provides a reflective and emotionally centered moment in the program. The phrase suggests ongoing trust or reliance, and the song’s tone supports this interpretation through its gentle pacing and expressive phrasing. It serves as a transition point before the stylistic shift into exotica.
The “Exotica Segment Intro,” credited to pik00 (duration 4:10, categorized as Promo), marks a deliberate transition in the episode. This segment acknowledges a different chapter in the global perception of Hawaiian and Pacific music, one shaped more by imagination and stylization than by cultural authenticity. The intro prepares listeners for this contrast.
“Jungle Madness,” performed by :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0} from the album Hypnotique (track 1 of 11, duration 3:35, Exotica genre), is a defining example of the exotica style. Martin Denny is widely regarded as a pioneer of the genre, which emerged in the 1950s and featured layered percussion, environmental sound effects, and an atmospheric approach to composition. While inspired by Pacific imagery, exotica music represents a Western interpretation rather than an authentic Hawaiian tradition.
“Wipe Out,” performed by :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1} from the album Hapa Haole with a Twist (track 9, duration 1:04, Exotica genre), offers a brief and energetic surf-style interlude. Les Waikikings, a Belgian group, became known for instrumental surf interpretations with a tropical aesthetic. This track connects the exotica segment with surf rock influences, further illustrating how Hawaiian imagery spread globally in musical form.
“Mahukona,” performed by Ho‘okena from the album Ho‘okena 5 (track 14 of 14, duration 4:39, Hawaiian genre), re-centers the episode in authentic Hawaiian music. Ho‘okena is known for its mastery of vocal harmony, including the use of traditional falsetto techniques. The song references Mahukona, a historic harbor area on Hawai‘i Island, continuing the theme of place-based storytelling.
“Mele O Nā Kai ‘Ewalu (Oli),” also by Ho‘okena from the album Nā Kai ‘Ewalu (track 1 of 13, duration 1:00, Hawaiian genre), concludes the episode with a chant. As an oli, the performance is unaccompanied and rooted in Hawaiian oral tradition. The title references the “eight seas,” evoking themes of navigation, connection, and heritage. Ending the show with an oli provides a strong cultural resolution, bringing the listener back to the foundational elements of Hawaiian identity.
Mahalo for joining us for Hawaiian Concert Guide Show 703, “The Bermuda Triangle.” This episode demonstrates how Hawaiian music exists across multiple dimensions—traditional, contemporary, and interpreted—while always maintaining a core connection to land, language, and culture.

Hawaiian Concert Guide Podcast Show 702 - Royal Flush
Welcome to another inspiring edition of the Hawaiian Concert Guide. Episode 702, titled Royal Flush, is a heartfelt musical journey through aloha for family, love of place, worship, memory, and the unmistakable beauty of Hawaiian harmony. This episode moves gracefully from contemporary Hawaiian recordings into faith-filled expressions, pauses for a fun and nostalgic exotica interlude, and then returns home with classic Hawaiian vocal richness.
At the top of the show, we feature a special live interview with Nick and Sam, who are visiting Hilo, Hawaiʻi for the world-renowned Merrie Monarch Festival, the premier celebration of hula and Hawaiian cultural arts.
From the vibrant energy of Hilo during festival week to the deep traditions of hula, chant, and storytelling, Nick and Sam share their firsthand experiences attending one of the most significant cultural events in Hawaiʻi. Their perspective offers listeners a glimpse into the atmosphere, excitement, and reverence that define Merrie Monarch.
The selections in this episode reflect some of the deepest values found in Hawaiian music: reverence for loved ones, profound attachment to the land, gratitude to God, and the enduring power of mele to preserve both emotion and identity. The result is an episode that feels warm, reflective, and deeply rooted.
Featured Tracks
1. E Māma - Kaleo Phillips
Album: E Mama
Duration: 4:01
Opening the episode is E Māma, a song that immediately establishes an intimate and reverent emotional tone. The title suggests a tribute to mother, and in Hawaiian musical tradition, songs honoring mothers often carry meanings that go beyond a single individual. They can also reflect family lineage, sacrifice, tenderness, and the continuity of aloha across generations.
Kaleo Phillips delivers the mele with restraint and sincerity, allowing the song’s emotional core to remain front and center. Rather than overwhelming the listener with a dense arrangement, the song appears to rely on warmth, vocal phrasing, and a steady melodic line. That simplicity is part of its strength. Hawaiian music often does its best work when it trusts the story.
As an opening track, this selection acts as a gateway into the entire episode. It introduces a theme that echoes through several of the songs that follow: love expressed not through spectacle, but through remembrance, gentleness, and deep personal connection.
Theme: Family love, reverence, remembrance
Musical character: Gentle, reflective, intimate
Why it matters: Sets the emotional and spiritual tone for the full episode
2. Puna Kuʻu Aloha - Christy Leinaʻala Lassiter
Album: Ho'i Ke Aloha - EP
Duration: 3:57
Puna Kuʻu Aloha is a beautiful example of Hawaiian songwriting rooted in place. In Hawaiian mele, land is never just scenery. It is memory, identity, relationship, and presence. To sing of Puna is to sing of a living place with emotional and cultural meaning.
Christy Leinaʻala Lassiter brings grace and emotional clarity to this performance. The phrase kuʻu aloha conveys a deeply personal affection, making the title feel like a love letter to Puna itself. This is one of the distinctive strengths of Hawaiian music: the ability to treat land as beloved, not merely observed.
Puna, on Hawaiʻi Island, carries layers of meaning through its lush beauty, dynamic volcanic history, and deep cultural associations. Songs about Puna often hold a sense of longing, beauty, and transformation. This recording fits naturally within that lineage, inviting the listener to hear place as something cherished and alive.
Theme: Love of place, emotional geography, identity
Musical character: Flowing, melodic, affectionate
Why it matters: Reinforces the Hawaiian tradition of connecting aloha with the land
3. Haleakalā - Christy Leinaʻala Lassiter
Album: Ho'i Ke Aloha - EP
Duration: 3:37
Staying with Christy Leinaʻala Lassiter, Haleakalā shifts the focus from one beloved region to one of Hawaiʻi’s most revered natural and spiritual landmarks. Haleakalā is not only a mountain; it is a place layered with story, reverence, and mythic resonance.
In Hawaiian tradition, places are often inseparable from the narratives attached to them. Haleakalā is famously associated with Māui, who was said to have lassoed the sun there. Because of that, references to Haleakalā can carry themes of time, light, wonder, and power. A song named for it naturally invites awe.
Musically, this piece feels expansive, fitting the majesty of the subject. It broadens the emotional landscape of the episode and deepens the sense that Hawaiian music can hold both personal tenderness and geographic grandeur in the same artistic frame.
Theme: Sacred place, wonder, mythic landscape
Musical character: Spacious, reverent, elevated
Why it matters: Expands the episode from intimate affection into spiritual geography
4. Goodness of God - Gregory Juan
Album: Kauluwehi
Duration: 3:41
With Goodness of God, the episode moves more directly into the language of testimony and praise. Though widely known in contemporary Christian music, a Hawaiian-oriented rendition invites the listener to hear the song through a different cultural lens. In this context, gratitude becomes more than a lyric theme; it connects naturally with the Hawaiian value of mahalo.
Gregory Juan’s performance likely resonates because of that fusion. Contemporary worship songs can sometimes feel structurally familiar, but when interpreted with island phrasing, local vocal sensibility, and an ear for relational warmth, they can take on a more grounded and communal feeling.
This track serves as an important bridge in the episode. The earlier songs honor people and places. Here, the orientation shifts upward in gratitude toward God. That movement from family and land into faith gives the episode a natural spiritual progression.
Theme: Gratitude, testimony, faith
Musical character: Worshipful, warm, heartfelt
Why it matters: Bridges Hawaiian sensibility with contemporary Christian expression
5. Hawaiʻi Aloha - Kamalei Kawaʻa
Album: Mānaiakalani
Duration: 4:56
Few songs carry the emotional and cultural significance of Hawaiʻi Aloha. This is one of the most beloved anthems in Hawaiian music, often sung at the close of gatherings as a gesture of unity, affection, and enduring connection to the islands and their people.
Kamalei Kawaʻa’s inclusion of this song is powerful within the context of Episode 702. After moving through songs of personal love, cherished places, and gratitude to God, this anthem broadens the circle to embrace the whole of Hawaiʻi. It becomes communal rather than only personal.
The strength of this song lies not only in melody but in function. It has become a song that people live with, sing together, and use to mark belonging. That sense of shared identity is one of the central treasures of Hawaiian music.
Theme: Unity, homeland, shared aloha
Musical character: Anthemic, communal, dignified
Why it matters: One of the emotional anchors of the entire episode
6. Hoʻomana Ia Iesu (feat. Ka ʻOhana Kawaʻa) - Kamalei Kawaʻa
Album: Mānaiakalani
Duration: 4:04
Hoʻomana Ia Iesu brings the episode to an explicitly devotional place. The title itself centers worship of Jesus, and the featured participation of Ka ʻOhana Kawaʻa adds a family and community dimension that is especially meaningful in Hawaiian music.
Hawaiian Christian music has long occupied an important place in the islands’ musical life. What makes songs like this especially compelling is the way they join worship with family, language, and local style. Faith is not presented as abstract doctrine, but as something lived together and sung together.
The communal nature of the performance likely enhances its emotional impact. Family voices singing in harmony naturally reinforce the message. In a broader sense, this track reflects one of the recurring motifs of the episode: love becomes fullest when shared.
Theme: Worship, family faith, shared devotion
Musical character: Reverent, communal, spiritually centered
Why it matters: Deepens the episode’s faith dimension while preserving a strong Hawaiian identity
Exotica Segment
7. Exotica Segment Intro - pik00
Duration: 4:10
This segment intro marks a stylistic transition in the episode. Up to this point, the program has focused on music deeply rooted in Hawaiian identity, language, faith, and place. The Exotica segment steps sideways into a related but distinctly different musical world: one shaped by fantasy, lounge aesthetics, and mid-century tropical imagination.
That contrast is part of what makes the segment valuable. It offers not only variety, but also perspective. It reminds listeners that “island music” has often been interpreted and reimagined far beyond Hawaiʻi itself.
8. On the Beach at Waikīkī (mix final) - Les Waikikings
Album: Hapa haole with a twist
Duration: 2:17
On the Beach at Waikīkī leans into the playful charm of tropical nostalgia. The title alone evokes postcard Hawaiʻi: surf, sand, leisure, and romance. In exotica and hapa-haole-adjacent material, the islands often become a stage for fantasy rather than an expression of local lived culture.
That does not make the piece without merit. On the contrary, tracks like this can be delightful, catchy, and historically revealing. They show how Hawaiʻi was imagined internationally and how tropical motifs were translated into entertainment music for broad audiences.
Within this episode, the song acts as a light palate cleanser. It introduces a wink of vintage fun before the program returns to more deeply rooted Hawaiian harmony.
Theme: Tropical nostalgia, leisure, fantasy
Musical character: Breezy, lounge-like, playful
Why it matters: Adds historical contrast and tonal variety
9. How dya do - Les Waikikings
Album: Hapa haole with a twist
Duration: 3:03
How dya do continues the exotica mood with a likely emphasis on upbeat rhythm, polished arrangement, and the stylized “tropical” sound associated with mid-century popular music. These sorts of recordings often present a cheerful, cinematic island atmosphere rather than a culturally grounded one.
For listeners of the Hawaiian Concert Guide, that difference is worth noticing. Authentic Hawaiian music often carries place, genealogy, language, and community. Exotica tends to carry mood, escapism, and fantasy. Hearing both in one episode can be educational as well as entertaining.
In programming terms, this track keeps the episode lively and prevents the emotional arc from becoming too uniform. It is a well-timed detour before the music returns to classic Hawaiian vocal artistry.
Theme: Escapism, retro charm, tropical stylization
Musical character: Light, rhythmic, lounge-oriented
Why it matters: Helps frame the distinction between Hawaiian music and music inspired by Hawaiʻi
Closing Selections: Return to Hawaiian Vocal Depth
10. Ka Loke - Ho'okena
Album: Ho'okena 5
Duration: 4:16
The return from exotica to Ho'okena is a return to center. Ka Loke carries the unmistakable richness of Hawaiian group harmony and poetic sensibility. Ho'okena is known for vocal blend, emotional precision, and the ability to let the song breathe.
The title, meaning “the rose,” suggests metaphor, beauty, and affection. Hawaiian songwriting frequently uses natural imagery not simply as decoration, but as a means of expressing human feeling. Flowers, winds, rains, mountains, and seas all become emotional language.
This track is especially effective late in the episode because it restores a sense of depth and rootedness after the lighter detour of the exotica set. The listener is brought back into the fuller emotional and cultural world of Hawaiian mele.
Theme: Beauty, poetic love, emotional symbolism
Musical character: Harmonically rich, graceful, classic
Why it matters: Re-centers the episode in traditional Hawaiian vocal beauty
11. I Love You - Ho'okena
Album: Ho'okena 5
Duration: 4:11
I Love You closes the episode with warmth and universality. While the title is in English, the emotional spirit aligns perfectly with the rest of the program. The entire episode has, in one form or another, been about love: love for mother, love for place, love for God, love expressed in community, and love carried in harmony.
Ho'okena’s treatment of a song like this likely gives it both accessibility and depth. Their vocal approach can make even a simple phrase feel timeless. That is one of the gifts of strong Hawaiian harmony: it elevates feeling without forcing it.
As a final track, this song functions almost like a benediction. It leaves the listener with a sense of peace and completion, gathering together the many emotional strands of the episode into one simple message.
Theme: Love, closure, emotional unity
Musical character: Gentle, harmonious, reassuring
Why it matters: A fitting final statement for an episode built around aloha in many forms
Episode Reflection
Episode 702, E Māma, is structured with unusual emotional coherence. Even though the tracks come from different artists and include a temporary move into exotica, the overall episode still feels unified. That unity comes from its central themes: affection, reverence, gratitude, and connection.
The first portion of the program focuses on intimacy and place. E Māma, Puna Kuʻu Aloha, and Haleakalā all carry a sense of deep regard, whether for family or landscape. From there, the episode opens into spiritual testimony with Goodness of God, then broadens into collective and devotional identity through Hawaiʻi Aloha and Hoʻomana Ia Iesu.
The exotica segment introduces contrast and historical perspective, reminding listeners that Hawaiʻi has often been interpreted from afar in ways that are entertaining but not always rooted. That makes the return to Ho'okena especially satisfying. Their closing selections restore the sound of home, depth, and harmony.
If there is a single word that best describes this episode, it is aloha. Not merely as a greeting, but as a way of relating: to mother, to beloved places, to God, to family, and to one another.
Track List
E Māma - Kaleo Phillips - 4:01
Puna Kuʻu Aloha - Christy Leinaʻala Lassiter - 3:57
Haleakalā - Christy Leinaʻala Lassiter - 3:37
Goodness of God - Gregory Juan - 3:41
Hawaiʻi Aloha - Kamalei Kawaʻa - 4:56
Hoʻomana Ia Iesu (feat. Ka ʻOhana Kawaʻa) - Kamalei Kawaʻa - 4:04
Exotica Segment Intro - pik00 - 4:10
On the Beach at Waikīkī (mix final) - Les Waikikings - 2:17
How dya do - Les Waikikings - 3:03
Ka Loke - Ho'okena - 4:16
I Love You - Ho'okena - 4:11
Closing
Mahalo for joining us for Hawaiian Concert Guide Podcast Show 702. May these songs encourage you to remember those you love, appreciate the beauty of Hawaiʻi, and carry aloha into the week ahead.
A hui hou and malama pono.

Hawaiian Concert Guide – Show 701
Hoʻi Ke Aloha – A Return to Love
Aloha mai kākou, and welcome to another beautiful journey through the sounds of Hawaiʻi. In this episode of the Hawaiian Concert Guide, we share a thoughtfully curated set of mele that flows from intimate contemporary recordings to treasured traditional expressions, with a playful stop in our Exotica segment along the way.
Featured in this show are performances by Christy Leinaʻala Lassiter, Gregory Juan, Kamalei Kawaa, Les Waikikings, and Hoʻokena. Together, these artists bring forward themes of aloha, hula, cherished places, treasured lei, beloved flowers, and the enduring beauty of Hawaiian poetry and song.
Episode Overview
We begin with two selections from Christy Leinaʻala Lassiter’s Hoʻi Ke Aloha - EP, setting a warm and inviting tone for the episode. Her recordings offer a graceful balance of modern polish and deep Hawaiian feeling, drawing the listener into songs that feel both personal and rooted in place.
From there, Gregory Juan’s album Kauluwehi carries us further into the heart of Hawaiian composition, with mele that suggest affection, honor, and poetic imagery. Kamalei Kawaa follows with songs from Mānaiakalani, including material inspired by native flora and enduring love.
Our Exotica segment offers a change in color and texture with Les Waikikings and their lighthearted, lounge-inflected hapa haole stylings. To close the show, Hoʻokena reminds us why their harmonies and emotional depth remain so beloved in Hawaiian music.
Playlist
Pālolo – Christy Leinaʻala Lassiter
Album: Hoʻi Ke Aloha - EP
Duration: 3:17
Ipo Hula – Christy Leinaʻala Lassiter
Album: Hoʻi Ke Aloha - EP
Duration: 3:09
He Mele no Ka Pāoʻo – Gregory Juan
Album: Kauluwehi
Duration: 2:42
He Lei no Hiʻilei – Gregory Juan
Album: Kauluwehi
Duration: 3:21
Pua ʻĀhihi – Kamalei Kawaa
Album: Mānaiakalani
Duration: 4:06
Forevermore – Kamalei Kawaa
Album: Mānaiakalani
Duration: 3:13
Exotica Segment Intro – pik00
Category: Promo
Duration: 4:10
Pagan love song – Les Waikikings
Album: Hapa haole with a twist
Duration: 2:46
Aloha means I love you – Les Waikikings
Album: Hapa haole with a twist
Duration: 2:08
Nou e Keali`i – Ho'okena
Album: Ho'okena 5
Duration: 3:30
Pua 'A'ali'i – Ho'okena
Album: Ho'okena 5
Duration: 3:38
Track Notes
Pālolo – Christy Leinaʻala Lassiter
This opening selection gently establishes the mood for the program. With a title that invokes Pālolo, the song feels grounded in a sense of place and memory. The performance carries a warm, personal quality, inviting the listener into the episode with tenderness and quiet strength.
Ipo Hula – Christy Leinaʻala Lassiter
A title like “Ipo Hula” evokes affection, beauty, and movement. This track continues the soft, graceful opening set and feels naturally connected to the language of dance and love. It is a fitting companion piece to “Pālolo,” extending the emotional intimacy of the first portion of the show.
He Mele no Ka Pāoʻo – Gregory Juan
Gregory Juan brings a more traditional compositional sensibility, and this mele carries the weight of tribute and poetic intention. Songs beginning with “He Mele no…” often feel dedicated, purposeful, and rooted in the Hawaiian practice of honoring people, places, or cherished subjects through song.
He Lei no Hiʻilei – Gregory Juan
The imagery of the lei is central in Hawaiian poetic expression, symbolizing love, honor, remembrance, and adornment. This song suggests something lovingly woven together and offered with care, continuing the episode’s recurring themes of affection and connection.
Pua ʻĀhihi – Kamalei Kawaa
With “pua” in the title, this mele turns our attention toward the floral world so often celebrated in Hawaiian song. Native plants and blossoms carry rich symbolic meaning, and this track adds a sense of natural beauty and delicacy to the program. Kamalei Kawaa’s performance helps bridge traditional themes with a contemporary recording sensibility.
Forevermore – Kamalei Kawaa
This selection broadens the emotional palette of the episode with a title that speaks directly to lasting love and devotion. Following “Pua ʻĀhihi,” it serves as a modern reflection on enduring affection while remaining at home in the overall flow of the show.
Exotica Segment Intro – pik00
Our Exotica segment intro signals a shift in atmosphere, opening the door to a more playful and stylized musical space. It gives the show a fun mid-episode change of pace while still keeping the island mood alive.
Pagan love song – Les Waikikings
Les Waikikings bring a retro lounge flavor to the episode with this exotica-inflected hapa haole performance. The sound recalls an earlier era of island-themed popular music, where romance and escapist imagery were part of the appeal. It offers a contrasting texture to the more deeply rooted Hawaiian selections elsewhere in the show.
Aloha means I love you – Les Waikikings
This charming and direct title captures the accessible, sentimental appeal of the hapa haole tradition. Placed after “Pagan love song,” it keeps the Exotica segment light and nostalgic before the program returns to more emotionally grounded Hawaiian harmonies.
Nou e Keali`i – Ho'okena
Hoʻokena’s unmistakable vocal blend brings immediate depth and resonance. This track feels reverent and heartfelt, and the group’s delivery reminds listeners why they remain one of the most respected names in contemporary Hawaiian music. Their harmonies add emotional gravity as the episode moves toward its conclusion.
Pua 'A'ali'i – Ho'okena
Closing with a flower song is especially fitting for this episode. The ʻaʻaliʻi is often associated with resilience and steadfastness, making this an especially meaningful ending. Hoʻokena sends us out with beauty, strength, and a deep sense of Hawaiian identity.
Featured Artists
Christy Leinaʻala Lassiter
Gregory Juan
Kamalei Kawaa
Les Waikikings
Hoʻokena
Closing
Mahalo for joining us for Hawaiian Concert Guide Show 701. This episode is a musical lei woven from songs of love, flowers, hula, memory, and enduring aloha. From the contemporary voices of Christy Leinaʻala Lassiter, Gregory Juan, and Kamalei Kawaa, to the nostalgic charm of Les Waikikings, and the rich harmonies of Hoʻokena, this show celebrates the many colors of Hawaiian music.
E mālama pono, a hui hou, and thank you for supporting the music and artists of Hawaiʻi.

Aloha, and welcome to a truly historic moment! Today we celebrate Show 700 of the Hawaiian Concert Guide.
Reaching 700 episodes is often referred to as a "Golden Milestone" in broadcasting. It signifies excellence, resilience, and a legacy that has stood the test of time. To honor this occasion, we’ve assembled a playlist that spans the spectrum of the Hawaiian sound—from sacred ancestral chants to the whimsical "Hapa Haole" revival.
The Legacy of the Land: Gregory Juan
We open our 700th celebration with Gregory Juan, an artist whose work from the album Kauluwehi serves as a bridge between past and present.
'O Waimea e Hōʻala: This powerful opening track was written by Gregory’s grandfather, the late cultural advocate Charles Kauluwehi Maxwell Sr. It is a tribute to the sacred ahupua‘a of Waimea, Maui, serving as an "awakening" song that reminds us of our ancestral ties to the land.

Pua Melie: A beloved classic by Aunty Edith Kanaka‘ole. While the melie (plumeria) is beautiful to the eye, the song’s deeper kauna (hidden meaning) honors the harmony of voices in the Keaukaha community.

Modern Vibrations: Kamalei Kawaa
Next, we feature the soulful, award-winning sounds of Kamalei Kawaa from his album Mānaiakalani.
Hānaulā (feat. Kainani Kahaunaele): A masterful collaboration celebrating the mountainous beauty of West Maui. The interplay between Kamalei and the legendary Kainani Kahaunaele is a highlight of contemporary Hawaiian vocal arrangement.

Ku'u Aloha: A tender track that showcases Kamalei’s signature falsetto. It is a song of pure affection, bridging the love between people and the ‘āina.

The Spirit of Slack Key: Kawika Kahiapo
It wouldn't be Show 700 without the rhythmic grace of Kawika Kahiapo.
Pule: Featuring an oration by Kumu Hula Chinky Mahoe, this track is a profound moment of prayer and gratitude. It is the perfect spiritual "center" for our milestone episode.

In Living Color: This track features the "3D" collaboration (Del Beazley, David Kahiapo, and Dwight Kanae), offering a bright, jazz-influenced celebration of the vibrant life in the islands today.

Special Feature: The French Exotica Revival
A major highlight of this episode is our exclusive interview with the French Exotica band, Les Waikikings. We had a fantastic time chatting with them about their passion for the "Hapa Haole" sound and how a group from France became masters of this vintage island genre.
Their perspective on the global influence of Hawaiian music is fascinating, and their dedication to the "twist" on traditional styles is truly inspiring.
Te manu pukarua: A high-energy Polynesian classic reimagined with shimmering steel guitars and lush percussion.

Native Love: A haunting, atmospheric piece that captures the dreamlike, escapist spirit of the 1950s "Golden Age" of Exotica.

The Foundation: Ho'okena
We close our 700th show with the unmistakable harmonies of Ho'okena, whose work from the album Ho'okena 5 remains a pillar of the genre.
From a Dancer: A stunning Hawaiian-style cover of the Jackson Browne classic. Ho'okena turns this folk-rock masterpiece into a beautiful island tribute to the cycle of life.

Windward Side: A nostalgic "love letter" to the Windward coast of O‘ahu. It captures the trade winds and the mist on the Koolau mountains, ending our 700th episode on a note of pure, graceful Aloha.

Mahalo for being part of the first 700 shows. Here’s to the next 700!