Music Of Monarchs, Pakele Live

Melissa Moniz
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Friday - January 12, 2011
| Del.icio.us
The Royal Four: King David Kalakaua, Queen Lydia Lili‘uokalani, Princess Kapili Likelike and Prince William Leleiohoku

There’s lots to celebrate in the new year, including more music from our home-grown island musicians.

Tropical Music proudly announced the release of A Tribute To Na Lani ‘Eha: Music Of The Hawaiian Monarch.

Na Lani ‘Eha or “The Royal Four” include King David Kalakaua, Queen Lydia Lili’uokalani, Princess Kapili Likelike and Prince William Leleiohoku.

Released through one of Tropical Music’s label Poki Records, Na Lani ‘Eha honors the music created by these four siblings following the arrival of Christian missionaries in 1820. As the first ali’i to be schooled in Western ways, the music they created blended traditional Hawaiian poetry, chant and song, and the introduced chords and melody, while also including new instruments such as the ukulele, piano, autoharp and guitar into their compositions.


The album features some of the best in Hawaiian music, including Kawaikapuokalani Hewett, Del Beazley, Moon Kauakahi, Manu Boyd, Teresa Bright and Cyril Pahinui.

“It was about the time of the 100th anniversary of the overthrow of the monarchy (1893), and the artists wanted to honor the Na Lani ‘Eha,” says Lea Uehara, president of Tropical Music. “The recording began in the years following. The album was put on the back burner, and who knew how time would fly by?

“We’re pleased that the album was finally released. I’ve received comments from the artists expressing fond memories of the time we came together to record this album.”

Each of the songs was composed by Na Lani ‘Eha, and two tracks are chants written for Queen Lili’uoklani and performed by Hewett. Teresa Bright offers one of her favorite songs, Kalakaua, written for the king, and Del Beazley performs a medley of two hymns, Nani Ke Li’I Ki’eki’e/Lei Maka’I, Lei O Ka Nani.

Produced by Kata Maduli, this album is much more than a compilation piece, it’s a treasured collection that allowed each artist to pay tribute to these beloved monarchs of Hawaii and Hawaiian music as we know it today.

Pakele Live presents Faith Thompson Ako Jan. 20

The CD’s jacket features incredible biographies of these royal composers, and a pullout pamphlet with biographies of the musicians and descriptions on all of the songs.

A Tribute to Na Lani ‘Eha: Music Of The Hawaiian Monarch is a remarkable concept executed perfectly ...

Faith Thompson Ako, a Kahuku High graduate, is bringing it home this month as she visits the Islands to celebrate the release of her second solo Hawaiian album, Papaku, Bring It Home.

A resident of California, Ako has spent her years there preserving Hawaiian music throughout Sonoma County and the greater Bay Area.


On the agenda for her trip is a performance on Pakele Live Jan. 20 at Ala Moana Hotel.

“I am so excited to come home and visit ohana and share my mele with them, let alone on local TV too,” says Ako.

Ako’s third album is in the works and scheduled to release sometime at the end of this year.

As a side note: The deadline for Na Hoku Hanohano submissions is coming up. Get your nominations in before Jan. 31. Nominations can be made online at nahokuhanohano.org/nomination/. A minimum of three copies of the release must be submitted to the HARA office with the completed form.

 

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