Hawaiian Concert Guide

Hawaiian Concert Guide – Show 708
Island Time: From Contemporary Hawaiʻi to Timeless Traditions and Classic Sounds
Featured Artists: Kalaʻe Camarillo • Ei Nei • Kaleo Phillips • Martin Denny • Elvis Presley
This week on the Hawaiian Concert Guide, we take a musical journey through five distinct eras of Hawaiʻi's musical landscape. From today's contemporary island songwriting to the rich traditions of Hawaiian language music, heartfelt songs of ʻohana, the golden age of Exotica, and the unforgettable Hollywood sound of Blue Hawaii, Show 708 celebrates the many voices that have shaped—and continue to shape—the soundtrack of the Islands.
Rather than simply presenting ten great songs, this episode tells a story. It begins with modern Hawaiʻi, explores the cultural foundations of the islands, pauses to celebrate family, then looks back at how Hawaiʻi and the Pacific were imagined through mid-century American popular culture before closing with two of the most iconic songs from Elvis Presley's legendary Blue Hawaii soundtrack.
Whether you're a lifelong fan of Hawaiian music or discovering these artists for the first time, we hope this episode reminds you why Hawaiʻi's music continues to inspire listeners around the world.
Playlist
1. Drifting On Island Time
Artist: Kalaʻe Camarillo (featuring Kalaʻe)
Album: Drifting On Island Time (2025)
We open Show 708 with one of the newest songs in Hawaiian contemporary music. The title track from Kalaʻe Camarillo's latest album immediately sets the tone—not as a tourist slogan, but as a reminder to slow down, appreciate the present moment, and embrace the lifestyle that makes Hawaiʻi unique. The relaxed groove, modern production, and catchy melody perfectly introduce today's generation of Hawaiian musicians.
Kalaʻe Camarillo, a third-generation music educator and award-winning singer-songwriter from Maui, has become one of Hawaiʻi's leading contemporary artists. His latest album features ten original songs blending island pop, acoustic influences, and heartfelt storytelling. (Maui News)
Length: 3:28
2. Gonna Have A Good Time
Artist: Kalaʻe Camarillo
Album: Drifting On Island Time (2025)
Our second selection keeps the energy flowing with an uplifting celebration of everyday life. Beneath its feel-good chorus lies a simple but meaningful message: after the work is done and the responsibilities are met, life's greatest joy comes from spending time with the people you love.
The song showcases Kalaʻe's gift for writing contemporary music that feels authentically local without relying on stereotypes. It captures the optimism and gratitude that define so much of today's island music.
Length: 2:58
3. Ka Wā Makahiki
Artist: Ei Nei
Album: Ei Nei, Look At Us
Ei Nei brings us into the heart of traditional Hawaiian culture with "Ka Wā Makahiki."
The Makahiki season marked an annual period of peace, harvest, celebration, and renewal dedicated to the Hawaiian god Lono. More than simply a festival, Makahiki represented an entire way of understanding the rhythm of nature and the passing of time.
Beautiful vocal harmonies and traditional Hawaiian lyrics remind us that Hawaiian music is deeply connected to history, language, and the land itself.
Length: 3:50
4. Star Of Gladness
Artist: Ei Nei
Album: Ei Nei, Look At Us
The title "Star of Gladness" refers to Hōkūleʻa—the "Star of Gladness"—whose name today is inseparably connected with the legendary Hawaiian voyaging canoe and the renaissance of traditional Polynesian navigation.
For ancient Polynesian navigators, stars were not simply beautiful lights in the night sky—they were maps, guides, and trusted companions across thousands of miles of open ocean.
Ei Nei's rich harmonies honor this remarkable heritage while celebrating Hawaiʻi's cultural renaissance.
Length: 4:28
5. My Island Life
Artist: Kaleo Phillips
Album: E Mama
"My Island Life" shifts the focus from Hawaiian history to personal identity.
Rather than describing Hawaiʻi as a vacation destination, Kaleo Phillips sings about what it truly means to grow up and live in the islands. Family, community, friendships, and everyday experiences become part of the meaning of "island life."
It's an honest portrait of belonging that resonates with anyone who calls Hawaiʻi home.
Length: 4:15
6. God Bless My Daddy (Acoustic)
Artist: Kaleo Phillips
Album: E Mama
The emotional centerpiece of Show 708.
This beautiful acoustic performance is a heartfelt tribute to fathers and the lasting influence parents have on our lives. Its stripped-down arrangement allows the lyrics to shine, making the song feel intimate and deeply personal.
Coming immediately after "My Island Life," the song reminds us that the people who shape us are every bit as important as the places where we live.
Sometimes the strongest songs aren't the loudest—they're the most sincere.
Length: 3:19
7. American in Bali
Artist: Martin Denny
Album: Hypnotique (1959)
Martin Denny helped create the Exotica genre during the late 1950s.
Although not traditional Hawaiian music, his recordings became inseparable from the romantic image of Hawaiʻi and the South Pacific during the tiki era. "American in Bali" blends jazz, lounge music, tropical percussion, and Asian musical colors into a uniquely American musical fantasy of the Pacific.
Recorded during the height of the Exotica movement, this selection represents an important chapter in the history of island-inspired music.
Length: 2:29
8. Japanese Sandman
Artist: Martin Denny
Album: Hypnotique (1959)
Continuing our journey through Exotica, Martin Denny reimagines the classic popular song "Japanese Sandman" with his signature atmospheric arrangements.
Bird calls, vibraphones, bamboo percussion, and Asian-inspired instrumentation create a mysterious soundscape that captivated audiences during the late 1950s.
While these recordings reflect American interpretations of Asian and Pacific cultures, they also became an influential part of Hawaiʻi's entertainment history and helped introduce many listeners to tropical-inspired music.
Length: 1:35
9. Aloha ʻOe
Artist: Elvis Presley
Album: Blue Hawaii (1961)
One of the most beloved songs ever associated with Hawaiʻi.
Originally written by Queen Liliʻuokalani, Hawaiʻi's last reigning monarch, "Aloha ʻOe" has become one of the world's most recognized Hawaiian songs. Elvis' respectful performance introduced generations of moviegoers to this timeless Hawaiian farewell.
The song's title means much more than simply "goodbye." It expresses love, affection, compassion, and the hope of meeting again.
Its inclusion in Blue Hawaii helped make Hawaiian music part of American popular culture.
Length: 1:53
10. No More
Artist: Elvis Presley
Album: Blue Hawaii (1961)
We conclude this episode with another memorable selection from Blue Hawaii.
Although many listeners assume it is a traditional Hawaiian song, "No More" is actually adapted from the famous Spanish melody "La Paloma." Its appearance in Blue Hawaii beautifully illustrates how Hawaiian popular culture has long embraced musical influences from around the world.
The warm orchestration, romantic vocals, and tropical atmosphere provide a fitting conclusion to our musical journey across five eras of island music.
Length: 2:23
Featured Albums
Drifting On Island Time — Kalaʻe Camarillo (2025)

Ei Nei, Look At Us — Ei Nei

E Mama — Kaleo Phillips

Hypnotique — Martin Denny (1959)

Blue Hawaii (Expanded Edition) — Elvis Presley (1961) (Apple Music - Web Player)

This Week's Musical Journey
Show 708 follows a deliberate progression through Hawaiʻi's musical heritage:
Contemporary Hawaiʻi — Modern island songwriting with Kalaʻe Camarillo

Traditional Hawaiʻi — Hawaiian language, history, and cultural heritage with Ei Nei

ʻOhana & Island Living — Personal stories from Kaleo Phillips

The Exotica Era — Martin Denny's influential tropical soundscapes

Hollywood Hawaiʻi — Elvis Presley and the enduring legacy of Blue Hawaii

Together, these ten songs span more than six decades of music while demonstrating the remarkable diversity of Hawaiʻi's musical traditions.
Mahalo for listening to the Hawaiian Concert Guide. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share the podcast with friends who love Hawaiian music. Until next time—Aloha a hui hou!

🎙️ Hawaiian Concert Guide – Show #707
From Hawaiian Cowboys to Hollywood: The Many Faces of Hawaiʻi
What makes Hawaiian music uniquely powerful? It's not just beautiful melodies—it's the story of a people, their land, their faith, and the way the world has imagined paradise. This week's playlist takes listeners on a musical journey spanning more than a century of Hawaiian history and culture.
🤠 The Real Hawaiʻi Begins with the Paniolo
We open with Ei Nei's Hanohano Wale Nō Nā Cowboy (Cowboy Hula), celebrating Hawaiʻi's proud paniolo (cowboy) heritage. Many people don't realize that Hawaiian cowboys have roots stretching back to the early 1800s, when Mexican vaqueros came to teach Hawaiians how to manage the wild cattle introduced by Captain George Vancouver. The paniolo culture of Waimea on Hawaiʻi Island became one of the oldest ranching traditions in the United States—long before the American West became famous.
Ei Nei reminds us that Hawaiʻi is more than palm trees and beaches. It is a land of hardworking ranchers, rich traditions, and generations of family heritage.
🚒 Celebrating Everyday Island Life
Ka‘a Ahi Kahului brings a playful look at everyday life on Maui. Songs like this are uniquely Hawaiian because they celebrate ordinary local experiences rather than romanticized island imagery. They remind us that authentic Hawaiian music often finds joy in community, humor, and shared memories.
🌙 Modern Hawaiian Voices
Eric Lee continues the journey with Waimea Moonlight and E ʻOhana Hou. His music beautifully bridges traditional Hawaiian values with contemporary production, keeping the spirit of aloha alive for new generations. The transition from the ranch lands of Waimea to songs about ʻohana creates an emotional thread that ties place and people together.
🌺 A New Generation of Hawaiian Music
Kaleo Phillips represents today's Hawaiian musicians who honor the past while embracing the future. His music blends Hawaiian language, island harmonies, and spiritual influences that remain central to many local communities.
His pairing of Koto Iwi with Just a Closer Walk with Thee illustrates something distinctly Hawaiian—the way Christianity and Hawaiian musical traditions have become intertwined over nearly two centuries. Rather than replacing Hawaiian culture, many congregations embraced Hawaiian language, vocal harmony, and local musical styles, creating a worship tradition unlike anywhere else in the world.
🌴 When America Dreamed of Paradise
The playlist then takes an intentional turn into Martin Denny's world of Exotica.
This is an important distinction: Exotica is not Hawaiian music.
Instead, it was America's mid-century fantasy of the tropics. Martin Denny combined vibraphones, jungle sounds, Asian percussion, Polynesian influences, and lush orchestration to create an imagined paradise that captivated audiences in the 1950s and 60s. His music helped inspire the Tiki movement, themed restaurants, Disney attractions, and an entire generation's perception of the South Pacific.
Understanding Exotica helps us appreciate both its artistry and the difference between authentic Hawaiian culture and Hollywood's tropical imagination.
🎬 Then Came Elvis
No artist introduced more people to Hawaiʻi than Elvis Presley.
Blue Hawaii became one of the most influential films ever made about the islands. While it presented an idealized version of paradise rather than everyday Hawaiian life, it sparked worldwide interest in visiting Hawaiʻi and introduced millions to Hawaiian-inspired music.
The transition from Martin Denny to Elvis is deliberate: one created the soundtrack of America's tropical dream, while the other brought that dream to audiences around the globe.
🌈 The Bigger Story
This week's playlist isn't simply a collection of songs—it's a musical timeline.
It moves from authentic Hawaiian traditions...
to modern island voices...
to spiritual expression...
to America's fascination with paradise...
and finally to Hollywood's enduring influence.
Every song helps tell part of Hawaiʻi's story.
🎧 Featured Artists
• Ei Nei
• Eric Lee
• Kaleo Phillips
• Martin Denny
• Elvis Presley
Whether you're a lifelong fan of Hawaiian music or just beginning to explore its rich heritage, Show #707 offers a deeper appreciation for the people, history, and culture behind the music we love.
🌺 E mālama i ka mele. E mālama i ka moʻomeheu.
"Preserve the music. Preserve the culture."
#HawaiianConcertGuide #HawaiianMusic #Paniolo #Waimea #SlackKey #HawaiianCulture #Mele #Aloha #MartinDenny #Exotica #BlueHawaii #ElvisPresley #IslandMusic #HawaiiHistory #Podcast #HawaiianLanguage

🌺🎙️ NOW STREAMING — Hawaiian Concert Guide Show #706 🎙️🌺
Every song has a story, and every melody carries a piece of Hawaiʻi's rich history and aloha spirit. Join Piko and Terry as they explore ten wonderful recordings that span more than a century of Hawaiian music—from classic mele and beautiful love songs to contemporary island favorites, family tributes, and even the fascinating world of Exotica.
🎧 Featured Music & Stories
🌺 Ei Nei – Ei Nei, Look At Us
❤️ Pāpālina Lahilahi
"Soft Delicate Cheeks"
A timeless Hawaiian love song dating back to the Hawaiian Kingdom era. Discover how Hawaiian composers used poetic imagery and hidden meanings (kaona) instead of saying "I love you" directly. Learn why this classic has become a favorite for hula dancers and has been recorded by generations of Hawaiian artists.
💧 E Kuʻu Morning Dew
"My Beloved Morning Dew"
Morning dew symbolizes beauty that is precious yet fleeting. We'll explore how Hawaiian composers use nature—mist, rain, flowers, and dew—to express romance, longing, and cherished memories.
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🌺 Eric Lee – The Islands Are Calling
🌸 Nā Pua Lei Aloha
"The Beloved Lei Flowers"
One of Hawaiʻi's most treasured farewell songs, often heard at graduations, celebrations, and moments of parting. Discover how the fading flowers of a lei became a lasting symbol that aloha continues long after saying "A Hui Hou."
🏝️ Halekulani Okinawa
A beautiful tribute connecting Hawaiʻi and Okinawa through the spirit of aloha. Learn why Hawaiian music and hula have become so deeply loved throughout Japan, and how the famous Halekulani name represents hospitality "befitting heaven."
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🌺 Kaleo Phillips – E Mama
🌼 Pakalana
The beloved Pakalana flower is famous for its incredible fragrance that actually becomes stronger after sunset. Discover why this treasured lei flower has become a symbol of enduring love, cherished memories, and Hawaiian romance.
👨‍👧 God Bless My Daddy
A heartfelt modern song celebrating fathers, family, faith, and ʻohana. We'll discuss how contemporary Hawaiian songwriting continues to honor parents and family traditions while carrying forward timeless Hawaiian values.
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🌺 Martin Denny – Hypnotique
🎷 St. Louis Blues
Originally written by W.C. Handy in 1914, this American blues classic receives Martin Denny's signature Exotica treatment. Vibraphones, tropical percussion, bird calls, and lush arrangements helped launch America's tiki and island lounge movement of the 1950s.
🌙 We Kiss in a Shadow
Originally from Rodgers & Hammerstein's The King and I, this beautiful Broadway love song is transformed into a dreamy tropical soundscape. We'll explore how Exotica introduced millions of listeners to romanticized Pacific-inspired music.
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🌺 Hoʻokena – Nā Kai ʻEwalu
🤝 Mi Nei
Meaning "Come Here," this gentle invitation celebrates friendship, fellowship, music, and aloha. Experience the rich vocal harmonies that made Hoʻokena one of Hawaiʻi's most respected contemporary Hawaiian groups.
🌈 Kauaʻi Beauty
Our grand finale—a breathtaking musical tribute to Hawaiʻi's Garden Isle. From the majestic Nā Pali Coast and Hanalei Bay to Waimea Canyon, waterfalls, rainbows, and lush green valleys, this song captures why Kauaʻi remains one of the most beloved islands in the world.
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🎙️ On this episode, we'll also discuss:
🌺 The hidden meanings (kaona) woven throughout traditional Hawaiian songs.
🌺 Why flowers, rain, mist, and mountains are central symbols in Hawaiian poetry.
🌺 The worldwide influence of Hawaiian music—from Hawaiʻi to Okinawa and beyond.
🌺 How modern artists continue to preserve Hawaiian language and culture while writing new music for today's generation.
🌺 The surprising history of Martin Denny and the Exotica movement that introduced island-inspired sounds to audiences around the globe.
Whether you're a lifelong fan of Hawaiian music or just beginning your island journey, Show #706 offers an unforgettable blend of beautiful melodies, fascinating history, cultural insights, and the true spirit of aloha.
🎧 Tune in, relax, and let Hawaiʻi come alive through its music and stories.
🌴 Hawaiian Concert Guide – Show #706
"Sharing the Music • The Stories • The Aloha Spirit"
#HawaiianConcertGuide #HawaiianMusic #Aloha #Hoʻokena #EricLee #EiNei #KaleoPhillips #MartinDenny #Exotica #NaPuaLeiAloha #Pakalana #Kauai #IslandMusic #Hula #Ukulele #SlackKey #Podcast #MusicHistory #MadeInHawaii #AlohaSpirit

Hawaiian Concert Guide – Show 705
Theme: "Fickle Mistress"
This episode flows naturally through four movements:
Identity & Heritage – Traditional Hawaiian values and community.
Voyaging & Legacy – Remembering those who carried Hawaiian culture forward.
Family & Renewal – Songs of love, hope, and future generations.
Exotica Escape – Mid-century tropical lounge before returning home with classic Hawaiian harmony.
Opening
Welcome everyone to another edition of the Hawaiian Concert Guide.
This week we begin in the heart of Hawaiian tradition, celebrating family, community, and the enduring spirit of aloha. Along the way we'll hear legendary voices, modern artists carrying forward the tradition, and finish with another visit to the fascinating world of Martin Denny before closing with the unmistakable harmonies of Hoʻokena.
Whether you're listening from Hawaiʻi or somewhere far away where the islands are simply calling your heart home, mahalo for joining us.
Song 1
Model T
Artist: Ei Nei
Album: Ei Nei, Look At Us
Background
Ei Nei is one of Hawaiʻi's respected contemporary Hawaiian vocal groups. Their recordings emphasize traditional language, acoustic instrumentation, and close vocal harmony rather than commercial production.
"Model T" is an unusual title for a Hawaiian recording and immediately catches attention.
Analysis
The song uses the Ford Model T as metaphor rather than merely nostalgia.
Like the famous automobile that continued working long after newer cars replaced it, the song celebrates endurance, reliability, and the value of things built to last.
Within Hawaiian culture this becomes symbolic of:
kūpuna wisdom
family traditions
older ways that remain useful today
respect for craftsmanship
Rather than chasing every modern trend, the song quietly reminds listeners that proven traditions often carry us farther than fashionable innovations.
Musically:
relaxed swing feel
acoustic guitar
upright bass
warm harmony vocals
understated humor
The storytelling style feels very local—more "talk story" than performance.
Interesting discussion point
Many Hawaiian songs preserve everyday island life that might otherwise disappear. Cars, fishing boats, ranch work, neighborhood traditions—all become cultural history through music.
Song 2
Pua Līlia / Pulupē Nei ʻIli I Ke Anu
Artist: Ei Nei
Background
This medley combines two traditional Hawaiian compositions.
"Pua Līlia" references the lily flower, often symbolizing beauty, affection, and cherished memories.
"Pulupē Nei ʻIli I Ke Anu" literally evokes skin chilled by the cold—a poetic Hawaiian expression describing emotional longing as much as physical sensation.
Analysis
Together the songs explore one of Hawaiian poetry's favorite themes:
Nature reflects emotion.
Flowers become people.
Wind becomes memory.
Cold becomes loneliness.
Rain becomes tears.
This style reflects the Hawaiian poetic tradition known as kaona, where deeper meanings hide beneath seemingly simple descriptions of nature.
Listeners familiar with Hawaiian language often hear multiple layers simultaneously.
Musically the arrangement allows:
graceful vocal blending
flowing slack-key influenced accompaniment
gentle tempo that lets the language breathe
Song 3
Na Mamo O Hōkūleʻa
Artist: Eric Lee
Album: The Islands Are Calling
Background
One of the emotional highlights of today's show.
The title means:
"The Children (Descendants) of Hōkūleʻa."
Hōkūleʻa, launched in 1975, transformed Hawaiian cultural identity by proving that Polynesians intentionally navigated the Pacific using traditional celestial navigation.
Analysis
The song honors:
navigators
teachers
cultural practitioners
future generations
Rather than focusing only on the canoe itself, Eric Lee celebrates the people inspired by its voyages.
The lyrics remind listeners that everyone who learns Hawaiian language, practices hula, paddles canoe, or studies navigation becomes part of that continuing legacy.
Musically:
contemporary Hawaiian arrangement
uplifting chorus
layered harmony
strong melodic hook
This is heritage music without sounding historical.
It looks toward the future.
Discussion point
Very few cultural revival movements have succeeded as dramatically as the Hawaiian Renaissance.
Hōkūleʻa became much more than a canoe.
It became proof that cultural knowledge could be recovered.
Song 4
He Aloha No Kaʻililauokekoa
Artist: Eric Lee
Background
This composition is a tribute song.
The title translates approximately as:
"Love for Kaʻililauokekoa."
Many Hawaiian songs preserve individuals through musical remembrance.
Analysis
Traditional Hawaiian memorial songs are rarely mournful.
Instead they celebrate:
character
generosity
family
contribution
continuing spiritual presence
Love never truly disappears.
It simply changes form.
Eric Lee's vocal delivery is especially sincere here, avoiding theatrical emotion in favor of heartfelt storytelling.
The arrangement leaves space for the lyrics to remain central.
Song 5
Brighter Life
Artist: Kaleo Phillips
Album: E Mama
Background
Kaleo Phillips represents a younger generation of Hawaiian musicians who comfortably blend island contemporary music with traditional values.
Analysis
This optimistic composition centers on hope rather than nostalgia.
Themes include:
gratitude
resilience
moving forward
family support
personal growth
Rather than ignoring life's hardships, the song suggests that aloha provides strength to overcome them.
The production feels modern without abandoning Hawaiian identity.
Expect:
polished vocals
contemporary rhythm
accessible melody
This is exactly the type of music helping Hawaiian artists reach younger audiences.
Song 6
Noe Ke Alaula
Artist: Kaleo Phillips
Background
The title references the red glow of dawn.
Morning imagery appears frequently throughout Hawaiian mele.
Analysis
Sunrise represents:
renewal
forgiveness
beginning again
spiritual awakening
The composition encourages listeners to embrace each new day with gratitude.
The melodic phrasing mirrors the slow appearance of first light over the islands.
Instrumentally:
relaxed guitar
tasteful percussion
spacious arrangement
It provides a peaceful transition before today's Exotica segment.
Exotica Segment Introduction
Now we step into another musical universe.
During the late 1950s and early 1960s America became fascinated with an imagined South Pacific.
The result became known as Exotica.
Although not authentically Hawaiian, this music introduced millions to tropical sounds and inspired later interest in genuine Hawaiian music.
No artist defined the genre more than Martin Denny.
Song 7
Chinese Lullaby
Artist: Martin Denny
Album: Hypnotique
Background
Martin Denny frequently blended Asian influences with Polynesian instrumentation.
Analysis
This recording creates atmosphere more than narrative.
Features include:
vibraphone
marimba
bamboo percussion
bird calls
spacious orchestration
Rather than attempting authenticity, Denny paints an idealized dreamscape.
Today listeners appreciate Exotica both as historical pop culture and as remarkable studio craftsmanship.
Song 8
Hypnotique
Artist: Martin Denny
Background
The title track perfectly demonstrates why Martin Denny became synonymous with Exotica.
Analysis
Everything is carefully layered.
shimmering vibraphone
Latin percussion
jazz harmony
tropical ambience
The music intentionally slows the listener's pulse.
It isn't dance music.
It isn't jazz.
It isn't Hawaiian.
It's its own unique genre.
Many modern lounge and ambient artists continue drawing inspiration from recordings like this.
Return to Hawaiian Music
After our excursion into imagined tropical paradise, we return to the authentic voices of Hawaiʻi.
Few groups have influenced modern Hawaiian harmony as profoundly as Hoʻokena.
Song 9
ʻUlili E
Artist: Hoʻokena
Album: Na Kai ʻEwalu
Background
Hoʻokena helped define contemporary Hawaiian vocal harmony during the late twentieth century.
Their singing balances technical excellence with deep cultural respect.
Analysis
The title references the ʻulili, the wandering tattler shorebird found throughout Hawaiʻi.
Birds often symbolize:
travelers
messengers
freedom
migration
Like many traditional mele, the bird becomes a poetic stand-in for human experience.
Hoʻokena's trademark harmony creates extraordinary warmth throughout the performance.
Song 10
Roselani Blossoms
Artist: Hoʻokena
Background
One of Hawaiʻi's beloved standards.
The roselani rose has long symbolized affection and cherished memories.
Analysis
Although the melody feels simple, the emotional depth comes through nuanced harmony and expressive phrasing.
The song celebrates:
enduring love
island beauty
treasured relationships
Hoʻokena's arrangement demonstrates why they remain among the finest Hawaiian vocal ensembles.
Every harmony line serves the melody rather than overpowering it.
It makes for a graceful conclusion to today's musical journey.
Closing Remarks
What a wonderful musical voyage today—from the enduring wisdom symbolized by an old Model T, through the cultural legacy of Hōkūleʻa, into songs of family, remembrance, and hope, then across the dreamy soundscapes of Martin Denny's Exotica before returning home with the timeless harmonies of Hoʻokena.
These recordings remind us that Hawaiian music is far more than a style. It is a living tradition that preserves language, history, genealogy, and aloha for future generations.
Mahalo for joining me for another edition of the Hawaiian Concert Guide. Until next time, mālama pono, cherish the music, support the artists, and keep Hawaiian music playing wherever you are in the world. A hui hou!

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!