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| This striking collection of all new Hawaiian-language songs offers contemporary reflections on growing up in Hawai'i, and the pieces of Hawai'i that remain with us through life. From the exquisite voice of GRAMMY Award-winning singer Tia Carrere, the diverse range of musical inspirations of GRAMMY Award-winning producer Daniel Ho, and introducing new poet/lyricist Amy Ku'uleialoha Stillman. |
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| Song List
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| Liner Notes
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| Origin stories often contain unexpected twists. Our project has its genesis in a kani ka pila session at Keoki Kahumoku’s Hawaiian music camp in Pahala, where Daniel had a sudden desire to create new songs that might make their way into the hands of musicians and hula dancers. In a matter of seconds he was on the phone calling me in Michigan (where the November temperature was approximately half of what it was on the Big Island), and pitching this idea to collaborate on an album of brand new Hawaiian songs—in the Hawaiian language. After over a year of emailing ideas, tunes, and lyrics, along with Hawaiian-language coaching via phone and mp3 files back and forth across the continent, you, dear listeners, are holding the results in your hands. This collection of original Hawaiian-language songs represents the serendipity of unexpected journeys. We each planted seeds of ideas, and made our way down the paths that converge in this album. Each of us has demonstrated commitment to our Hawai‘i roots in our own ways. My scholarship on Hawaiian music and dance has taken me into archives the world over. Daniel’s commitment to promoting opportunities for Hawaiian musicians has been recognized with three Grammy Awards in Hawaiian music to date. Tia’s 2007 Grammy-nominated album, Hawaiiana, emphasized her childhood connection to Hawai‘i and the friendships that have endured over the years. Daniel and Tia’s collaboration dates back to music-making at St. Louis High School, Sacred Hearts Academy, and Brown Bags to Stardom; Daniel and I came to a mutual fascination with exploring the malleability of cultural boundaries while working on its inverse— documenting contemporary settings of archival poetic repertoire by members of the organization Kulia i ka Punwai (Kumu Hula Association of Southern California), brought to fruition with two critically-acclaimed CDs to date, Kalakaua and Kapi‘olani. For all three of us, our challenge was not only how we might do right by Hawaiian music, but indeed how we might contribute to its continued growth. It was liberating to discover that I had much to express, and Hawaiian poetry became a creative alternative to the occasionally maddening exactitude of scholarly writing. Daniel, already an accomplished songwriter and recording artist, wanted to experience composing music for Hawaiian- language lyrics. To this partnership, Tia brought her incredible—and incredibly sensitive— vocal talents. Some of our songs began with the tune. When Daniel asked if I could write some lyrics to the already popular instrumental “Pineapple Mango,” I wanted to craft a connection to the fruits in the song’s title. What evolved was a litany of breakfast foods prepared while still not fully awake—resulting in burnt toast. The fun of one food song made me determined to celebrate another of Hawaii’s favorite foods—Spam, and thus was born “The Spam Song,” regaling youthful haunts that, it turned out, we had all shared— picnicking on spam and eggs in Kapi‘olani Park, eating spam musubi in Kaimuki, and watching submarine races at Diamond Head lighthouse. All kidding aside, Hawaiian poetry offers many elegant ways to express feelings of affection for Hawai‘i that have remained important to us even as we make our way through life thousands of miles away from our birthland. From the zen-like journeys spoken of in “Welo,” to the realization that life’s simplest pleasures are among the most meaningful in “Na ‘Ikena Like ‘Ole,” we offer this collection in the hope that the economy of language and music craftsmanship here brings the pleasure of resonance to you, dear listeners and audiences. Amy Ku‘uleialoha Stillman 36,000 feet above sea level, aboard NWA 337 one sunny day. |
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| Song Notes
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1. The Spam Song
Amy Ku‘uleialoha Stillman & Daniel Ho (Daniel Ho Creations, ASCAP) Inspired by a visit to the Spam Museum in Austin, Minnesota, memories of high school and college days come back with laughter. Indeed, our youthful haunts are so tightly bound up with food, and singing about it can be so much fun! Hui: ‘Ai kama 'aina ‘Ai i ka ‘ono ‘Ai i ka shua‘a Shua‘a hua moa Shua‘a musubi Shua‘a kalua ‘ia Holoholo maua i ka huaka‘i Ho‘omkaukau i ka holo ‘ai H‘olu‘olu i ka opu pololi Hemo i ke kini shua‘a Komo maua i Kapi‘olani Paka Puka mai ka lai Kaimana Hila ‘Au‘au kai, heihei kukini, Shua‘a hua moa, 'aina kakahiaka Holo ana maua i Kapaolono Ho‘onanea i ka malu o ke ao Ho‘ike ka okazu ma kela ‘ao‘ao Shua‘a musubi, 'aina awakea Ho‘i maua i ka lae o Lae‘ahi Mahinahina i ke alo Maka‘ika‘i i na heihei mokulu‘u Shua‘a kalua ‘ia ma‘ona no! Translation: Refrain: Eat local food Eat delicious food Eat spam Spam and eggs Spam musubi Roast Spam Let’s go on a trip Prepare the picnic food Satisfy the hungry stomach Open up the canned Spam Let’s go to Kapi‘olani Park The sun rises over Diamond Head Plan for swimming and foot races Eat Spam and eggs for breakfast Let’s go to Kapaolono Park And sit in the shade The okazu-ya is spotted across the street Eat Spam musubi for lunch Let’s return to Diamond Head Point The pale moonlight shines on your face Let’s watch the submarine races Roast spam is so satisfying! 2. Welo Amy Ku‘uleialoha Stillman & Daniel Ho (Daniel Ho Creations, ASCAP) . . . a journey in haiku form . . . Pi‘ipi‘i no Hapai i ka makani E welo nei Ho‘okele no Ku mai i ka moana o‘lali ana He‘e nalu no He‘e ana i ka lala Pahe‘e nei Hea aku no Pi‘i i ka makani Eo mai nei Translation: Lifting up Carried on the wind Waving Sailing Upright on the surface Gliding Surfing On the diagonal wave Sliding Calling out Crying in the wind Respond 3. Ku‘u Ipo My Darling Amy Ku‘uleialoha Stillman & Daniel Ho (Daniel Ho Creations, ASCAP) For those moments when that special someone speaks gently with a twinkle in the eye. He aloha no ke ‘ike maka Ku‘u ipo, my darling Ko maka e ‘aka‘aka mai Ku‘u ipo He aha ana kau e ha‘i mai Huapala na‘u ‘oe, ei nei Ko leo kupa i lohe ‘ia Ku‘u wehi, my sweetheart Ko leo e hoene mai Ku‘u wehi Ke kani hone a ke ki ho‘alu Ho‘opumehana no, ei nei Huli ho‘i mai hoaloha e Ke aloha, my love Ne‘ene‘e mai, ho‘opili mai Ke aloha He hu‘ihu‘i i ke konikoni Piha i ka pu‘uwai, ei nei Ha‘ina mai ka puana la Ku‘u ipo, my darling He aloha no ke ‘ike maka Ku‘u ipo Ko maka palu, ko leo hone Huapala na‘u ‘oe, ei nei Translation: A love for who I see my darling Your eyes are laughing my darling What are you saying to me? Sweetheart you are mine Your familiar voice is heard my dear Your voice speaks softly my dear As the slack key plays gently warming us Turn this way my love Come and snuggle up my love Cool enjoyment The heart is filled The story is told my darling A love for who I see my darling Your tender eyes, your soft voice Sweetheart, you are mine 4. Hula in Seven Amy Ku‘uleialoha Stillman & Daniel Ho (Daniel Ho Creations, ASCAP) Who says that hula has to be in even numbers of beats? Try this with kla‘au. Helu ‘ekahi no kakou He helu ‘elua no ‘oukou Helu ‘ekolu no kakou ‘Eha, ‘elima la ‘Eono, ‘ehiku, ‘Ewalu, ‘eiwa, ‘umi ‘Eono, ‘ehiku, ‘Ewalu, ‘eiwa, ‘umi Helu ‘elima no kakou He helu ‘eha no ‘oukou Helu ‘ekolu no kakou ‘Elua ‘ekahi no ‘Eiwa, ‘ewalu, ‘Ehiku, ‘eono, ‘elima, ‘Eha, ‘ekolu, ‘Elua, ‘ekahi, ‘ole ‘Eiwa, ‘ewalu, ‘Ehiku, ‘eono, ‘elima, ‘Eha, ‘ekolu, ‘Elua, ‘ekahi, pau Translation: We count one You count two We count three Four, five Six, seven, Eight, nine, ten Six, seven, Eight, nine, ten We count five You could four We count three Two, one Nine, eight, Seven, six, five, Four, three, Two, one, zero Nine, eight, Seven, six, five, Four, three, Two, one, done 5. Pule No Malia Amy Ku‘uleialoha Stillman & Daniel Ho (Daniel Ho Creations, ASCAP) “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Grant us goodness, grace, and aloha.” Aloha ‘oe, e Malia Piha ‘oe i ka maika‘i Pili no ka Haku Pomaika‘i mai Ho mai ka maika‘i Ho mai ke ‘olu Ho mai ke aloha E mau a mau Translation: Hail Mary Filled with grace Together with the Lord Bless us Grant us grace Grant us comfort Grant us love Forever and ever 6. Keanuhea Daniel Ho (Daniel Ho Creations, ASCAP) A lullaby for Kaleo. Ke aloha no. 7. The Breakfast Song (Pineapple Mango) Amy Ku‘uleialoha Stillman & Daniel Ho (Daniel Ho Creations, ASCAP) On preparing breakfast when you’re not yet fully awake. Hala kahiki, manako Hala kahiki, manako Hala kahiki, manako E ‘ai i ka hua ‘ai Liliko‘i ‘alani Liliko‘i ‘alani Liliko‘i ‘alani E inu i ka wai Palaoa pulehu Palaoa pulehu Palaoa pulehu Me waiupaka Palaoa papa‘a Palaoa papa‘a Palaoa papa‘a E ho‘omaka hou Inu kope me ke ko Inu kope me ke ko Inu kope me ke ko E ‘ala mai kakou! Translation: Pineapple mango Pineapple mango Pineapple mango Eat the fruit salad Passionfruit orange Passionfruit orange Passionfruit orange Drink the juice Toast Toast Toast With butter Burnt toast Burnt toast Burnt toast Start over Drink coffee with sugar Drink coffee with sugar Drink coffee with sugar Let’s wake up! 8. ‘O Ia Uka Amy Ku‘uleialoha Stillman & Daniel Ho (Daniel Ho Creations, ASCAP) A tribute to St. Louis High School, up upon Kalaephaku’s rugged slopes. Aia i Kalaepohaku Wahi o na keonimana e ku Malamalama ka ho‘ona‘auao E mau i ka pu‘uwai E mau Aia i Kaimuki waihona na leo I ‘ike ‘ia pa‘a mau Leo honehone ka leo pohihihi Papa ka leo ‘o ia wahi Papa Aia i Wa‘ahila, pa mai ka ua Li‘ili‘i mai uka mai Ho‘oma‘ema‘e ka wahi hemolele E inu i ka wai mapuna Ka wai Ha‘ina ka puana O Kalaepohaku e Pa‘a mau ka mana‘olana E ola ka malamalama E ola Translation: There at Kalaephaku Place where young men stand proudly The teaching is enlightened May it remain fast in the heart Fast indeed There at Kaimuk, a repository where voices Are known Soft voices, mystical voices Voices echo at that place Echo There at Wa‘ahila, the fine rain moves Down from mauka Cleansing this sacred place Drink of this spring Water The story is told Of Kalaephaku May hope prevail May enlightenment live well Live well 9. Na ‘Ikena Like ‘Ole Amy Ku‘uleialoha Stillman & Daniel Ho (Daniel Ho Creations, ASCAP) On our life journeys, we are blessed by the ever expanding panoramic vistas of our horizons. Nani lua ‘ole ka ‘ikena Mai Lae‘ahi a Makakilo A pi‘i i ka ‘iu o Konahuanui E ‘ike mai Mokapu a Kualoa He nani no na Ko‘olau I luna o ka mokuahi A ho‘okele i ka ‘ilikai ‘O ka moana nui akea Hohonu i ka lana malie He nani no ka moana I luna o ka manulele E ‘ike iho i ka ‘ina one ‘ula Mai ka ulula‘au i ke komohana A me na wai nui ‘elima He nani no Maleka ‘Ailana Translation: Beautiful without equal is the view From Lae‘ahi [Diamond Head] to Makakilo And from atop Konahuanui I see from Mkapu to Kualoa Beautiful indeed are the Ko‘olau [mountains] Aboard the boat Travelling across the ocean surface The sea is vast And deep in its calm Beautiful indeed is the ocean Aboard an airplace I look down upon the vast land From the forests of the west To the five great waters Beautiful indeed is America 10. Papahanaumoku (Earth Mother) Amy Ku‘uleialoha Stillman & Daniel Ho (Daniel Ho Creations, ASCAP) The concept of earth mother is lovingly nurtured by indigenous peoples the world over. It’s quite simple, really; when we care for the ‘ina, the ‘ina cares for us. ‘Ae, he mele no Papahanaumoku Na mauna, waihona o ka ‘ikena Na kahawai, hapaina o ka wai ola Papahanaumoku, Papahanaumoku Nana e hanai ia kakou a pau Na kakou e hehi malie i ka la‘i Papahanaumoku, Papahanaumoku Nana e hi‘ipoi i na iwi o na kupuna Nana e ho‘ai i ka na‘au o kakou Papahanaumoku, Papahanaumoku Mana‘olana hemolele no na kama ‘Ike i ka nani ke ao nei o kakou Papahanaumoku, Papahanaumoku Our hope for our children, To see the beauty of our world Earth Mother A song for Earth Mother Translation: A song for Earth Mother Mountains, repository of knowledge Streams, carrying the water of life Earth Mother, Earth Mother She feeds us all We step lightly in the calm Earth Mother, Earth Mother She cradles the bones of the ancestors She feeds us Earth Mother, Earth Mother A hope for our children To see the beauty of our world Earth Mother, Earth Mother 11. Pomaika‘i (The Blessing) Daniel Ho (Daniel Ho Creations, ASCAP) a simple, yet intricate slack key hymn. |
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| Credits
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Produced by Daniel Ho and Amy Ku‘uleialoha Stillman. |
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