 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| To properly view this page, you must have the HI Pi'ilani font. You can download it at: http://www.olelo.hawaii.edu/OP/resources It's peaceful, quiet Sunday morning on the Big Island of Hawaiÿi. Bright sunlight reflects off a calm sea, a brief, warm shower forms a rainbow on the slopes of Mauna Loa. A small, colorful wooden church is shaded by mango and palm trees in a tiny coastal fishing village. The soft island air, redolent with the gentle scent of plumeria and the richer fragrances of passion fruit, is stirred by sweet music from the church. The songs are distinctly Hawaiian, yet somehow familiar. These are the hymns of Hawaiÿi, the songs that George Kahumoku, Jr. sang as a child growing up on the Big Island. They are the hymns that have helped to hold his family together over several generations. With this recording, George realizes a dream he has had for many years. He has long wanted to preserve this music, which has been an important part of his spiritual life. When Daniel Ho proposed that they collaborate on a recording of Hawaiian hymns, George immediately agreed. These are the hymns, the hïmeni, that George learned as a young boy seated with his parents, grandparents, aunties, uncles and their children around the kitchen table. For George, the little and sometimes not so little tragedies of life are just ways of bringing one closer to God. "George Kahumoku has gotten a little off track, so let's give him a bout of cancer right at this point in his life," is the way he puts it. Especially at these times, not just the words, but also the melodies and rhythms of this wonderful music have brought him comfort and peace. He hopes that this recording will do the same for others. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Song List
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| About the Songs
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1. Lokomaikaÿi (Amazing Grace) is the first song presented because not only has it been very popular in Hawaiÿi, but it is also a link, a kind of common denominator for everyone who enjoys hymns. It is also one of the first hymns that George learned, and he remembers singing it with his whole family.
2. Kahalewai was written in English by Jennifer Smith and translated into Hawaiian by George Kahumoku. Kahalewai means, "The house that holds the water," and is the Hawaiian name of the mountains of West Maui. These mountains are sacred to Hawaiians because of the importance they play in people's daily lives. With the ever changing patterns of clouds and light, "some days shy, some days full of strength and majesty," the mountains are a constant reminder of the power of God. 3. Ke Aloha O ke Akua (The Queen's Prayer). In addition to being the last reigning monarch in a U.S. territory, Queen Liliÿuokalani was the gifted composer of many of Hawaiÿiÿs best known music, such as Aloha ÿoe. At the time she wrote this song she was under house arrest by the infamous provisional government working to overthrow the Hawaiian monarchy. Ironically, the song is about the values she embraced from the Western culture that imprisoned her, the values of forgiveness, love, faith and hope. 4. ÿAkahi Nö A Hele Pü (Just a Closer Walk With Thee). This is a song taken from the standard English hymnal. It's an old time hymn that was popularized in the 80's by the Makaha Sons, and in the 90's by Brother Iz. 5. ÿEkolu Mea Nui (Three Greatest Things). This is one of George's favorite hymns. The song is a reference to 1 Corinthians 13:13, "For now there are faith, hope and love. But of these, the greatest is love." 6. Kanaka Waiwai. This song refers to the biblical verse where Jesus says it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich person to get into the kingdom of heaven. The background of this piece is quite mysterious. Apparently, it originates from the tiny island of Niÿihau, where only native Hawaiians may travel. George's Auntie Sarah Pule recalls singing it in Kohala many years ago, but with different words from the current version. She believes that the song has been around since the 1800's. The grandfather of renowned Hawaiian entertainer Moe Keale may be the original composer. One version of this hymn was written by John Almeida for the Mormon Church in 1915. He changed it for the church because it was felt to be too much like a hula song. In the early seventies, the group Eddie Kamae and the Sons of Hawaiÿi, with Moe Keale singing the vocals, popularized this song. 7. Nani! Nani! E Hoÿonani! (Praise Him! Praise Him! O Praise Him!). This was written by the famous preacher Reverend Lorenzo Lyons, who came to the Big Island of Hawaiÿi in the 1800's. It speaks of the beauty from above. It's an old time boisterous hymn that George remembers singing with gusto in church. 8. Iesü No Ke Kahuhipa (Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us). Kahuhipa means shepherd. This is a song much beloved by George. It always reminds him of his grandmother Emily Lïhuÿe Hoÿopale Dulay who used to sing it often when she was a deacon at Kamakuamauloa Church in Kalihi on the island of Oÿahu. 9. Maikaÿi E Launa Me ÿOe (Sweet Peace, the Gift of God's Love). This song was translated into Hawaiian from English. It was a standard in services at Puka ÿAna Church when George was growing in Keälia with his tütü Kökoÿo Kahumoku. 10. Kapa-hänau-ÿia-ÿiÿo-e-käkoÿo-ÿuhane. The title of this song is the name given to the son of George's hänai nephew, Danny Boy Palakiko. It means, "the Kapa cloth that is born of flesh that encompasses and protects the soul." When Danny wanted to name his first son, he tried to dream about his kupuna, his auntie, asking her for a suitable name. This is a traditional Hawaiian way. The first night, no luck. The second night, she came to him in the dream, but he couldn't remember the name when he awoke. Finally, on the third night, she gave him the name. But she also told him that the name means nothing without the values to back it up. So she told him the values she wanted Danny Boy to teach to his son: aloha, which is love; kökua, which is helping others; lökahi, which is harmony; mälama, which is taking care of and preserving our history; laulima, which is many hands working together for a common cause; and ÿohana, which is family. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Credits
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| This album is dedicated to the Pastor Arza Brown, who saved George from himself and pointed George in the right direction when he was ready to give up. He is a man of peace and harmony who makes the bible understandable and who preaches gently and speaks the truth in love. He is pastor of the Grace Independent Baptist Church on Fleming Road in Lahaina, Maui.
Also dedicated to George's grandmother, Emily Lïhuÿe Hoÿopale Dulay and his great grandmother Kökoÿo Kahumoku, who taught him the lessons of the bible at an early age. In memory of Reverend Abraham ÿAkaka of the Kawaiähaÿo Church in Honolulu, Oÿahu. Special thanks to the Reverend Kekapa Lee of Waiola Church, Lahaina, Maui for sharing his music and translations, and especially inspiration from his album Aloha Kekahi I Kekahi – Love One Another / Saichi and Ewalina Kawahara for providing the words and translation to Kanaka Waiwai and for being "historians" of Hawaiÿi's songs / Danny Palakiko, Jr. for his Hawaiian language and editing expertise / Nancy Sweeney for opening your home to us / Ben Churchill and Dancing Cat Records for your never ending support of slack key music / the Okamiÿs and KoAloha for the awesome Royal KoAloha ukulele / Larrivee Guitars for the amazing 12 and 6 string guitars / Jeff Ganz and Guitar Center / Joanne Tomita Management / Charles Lochtefeld and Stageright Services / Leilani Marino / Wende Stitt / Steve Harder and Aire Music / Sam and Print Max / Stu Feldman and Tape Specialty, Inc. / Ara and DPS / Wyland / Sweetie, Perry and Price / David Ho / Tiny Tadani / Booklines / City Hall Records / Lifedance / Borders / Auntie Maria and mele.com / Aire Distribution / Loco Moco Drive Inn / Aloha2go.com. Record Label: Daniel Ho Creations Recorded: August 1999 Release Date: October 1999 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lyrics
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
