| Konabob's
Hawaiian Music
Collection
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The music of Hawaii grabs some people in a way that no other music can. The list of music below is meant as a guide to starting a Hawaiian music collection...the "must haves" for those truly interested in the Hawaiian music culture. For a broad spectrum of traditional and current music releases, I suggest you listen to Rich Shipley's Hawaiian Rainbow streaming internet radio station, and visit Auntie Maria's website Mele.com which is especially helpful for new release info and live concert schedules.
(Right: Loretta Sherlock, Konabob, and the late Ella Neula)
For a list of live Big Island Hawaiian music events, Click Here!
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 Legends of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Wins Grammy Award, 2006!
George Kahumoku, Jr., one of the pillars of modern Hawaiian slack key guitar, gathers together an impressive group of first class Hawaiian musicians, and wins a Grammy in the process. A must have for your Hawaiian music collection. |
 Slack Key Guitar Volume 2 Wins Grammy Award, 2005!
The first ever Grammy awarded in the new Hawaiian music category went to this Big Island recording of some of Hawaii (and the Big Island's) best artists - recorded at Lava Tracks studio here on the island of Hawaii. |
An easy way to introduce yourself to Hawaiian music is to visit one of the web sites that broadcast on the internet:
Hawaiian Rainbow - Live 24/7
Aloha Joe - Live broadcasts daily
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Hui Ohana was one of the first Hawaiian groups I ever heard, and as such, they have a special place in my collection. The group features incredible falsetto vocal harmonies and an
electric/acoustic guitar mix that was popular in Hawaii in the mid 70's. Every Hawaiian music collection should have Hui Ohana's first CD in it.
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Ledward Ka'apana, who was a member of the legendary Hui Ohana, listed above, was born and raised on the Big Island, and is an amazing talent. The demand for his music pulls him all around the world. "Waltz of the Wind" (below) was recorded in Nashville with an all-star cast of country western talent (plus bluegrasses' Alison Krauss).
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Makaha Sons is a dynamic trio which occasionally appears on the Big Island. "Soaring and powerful" is how I would describe their music. Hapa is a duo that caused a big splash with this CD. Acoustic music with tight harmonies, both in English and in Hawaiian. Excellent music to listen to while you drive around the Big Island. "Acoustic Soul" joins the first Hapa CD as a must-have in your contemporary Hawaiian music collection. John Cruz's song, "Island Style", is a new classic.
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The Beamer brothers are a couple of Big Island musicians who began playing at a young age in a family that is well know for its contributions to Hawaiian music. Keola has made an international career out of it, and his album, "Wooden Boat", is one that I listen to often. His all-time hit, "Honolulu City Lights" (sigh) is a song about having to leave the islands that you love. It gets me every time. Keola has a unique and refined approach to slack key, and is one of today's Hawaiian slack key masters.
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What is slack key? It is an acoustic guitar style in which the strings are loosened (slackened) to produce an open tuning with great rich open chords that allow delicate finger picking patterns and a steady "bass line" that goes throughout the song. (Actually, it is some kind of Hawaiian magic that makes you either weep or laugh with joy!) All of these selections are excellent and have the same effect on the soul as a Kona sunset.
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Ray Kane is a grandfatherly figure who I know personally as a very kind man. Even as a young man he was an accomplished slack key guitarist, writing some of the standards that you hear the younger musicians play today. His deep rich voice blends with his light finger picking to create a warmth that embodies the spirit of "aloha." Sonny Chillingworth was a great entertainer from Paniolo country. His voice sounds "honest and from the heart". Just what you would expect from a Hawaiian cowboy.
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Gabby Pahinui was one of the great entertainers of Hawaii in the second half of the last century. This first album belongs in every Hawaiian collection, as it contains many classics done in an acoustic style. Clear and beautiful. The second album features Ry Cooder who loved the music of this legendary musician. The album was recorded on the Kohala coast. The Rabbit Island CD was recorded live at a music festival, and the sound of sea birds can be heard in the background.
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Gabby Pahinui's sons carry on the family tradition, and in many ways they have taken it to new dimensions. Cyril is a slack key master, Martin is also often found touring or accompanying other Hawaiian musicians with vocals and electric bass. Bla Pahinui can be heard playing "O Come All Ye Faithful" slack key-style on the Slack Key Christmas CD below.
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Can you hear live slack key music on the Big Island? Yes! The best loved slack key artist who actually lives on the Big Island is undoubtedly John Keawe, who can be heard playing at various restaurants and events around the Big Island. You might Email John and ask where he will be playing during your next visit.
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Occasionally someone will write me, asking where they can hear "real Hawaiian music". I am never sure what to say. If you listen to the radio, "real Hawaiian kids" are listening to local rap, hiphop, and reggae bands ("Jawaiian"), or rock bands featuring an ukulele or two. What many people around the world think of as "Hawaiian" is the steel guitar. Sadly, the steel guitar has become difficult to find here in the islands. The great Jerry Byrd, who set the standard for smooth and mellow, just passed away recently. His music was especially popular in the mid-1900's before melody gave way to rhythm, but he was always "king" to steel players.
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What is Hawaiian Steel Guitar, anyway? If you listened to the sound clips of Jerry Byrd, you were hearing an electrically amplified instrument that became popular in the 40's and flooded the radio airwaves on a program called "Hawaii Calls". The original steel guitars (1898 through the 1930's) were mostly a regular acoustic guitar tuned to a slack key tuning, and played with a smooth piece of steel held in the left hand. These vintage recordings trace the history of Hawaiian music through the beginning of the 20th century.
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I said the steel guitar has become difficult to find here in the islands. Here are three more great artists who have mastered the instrument - Barney Isaacs plays Hawaiian classics on a resonator-style guitar which became popular in the 1930's. Bobby Ingano plays electric steel guitar in style of Jerry Byrd, and Bob Brozman plays in many styles, but is best known for his speedy technical flourishes & ability to capture the sounds of the steel guitar masters from the early 1900's.
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Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom's albums deserve mention here, as she has one of the finest voices in Hawaii today, and brings to mind the voice of the great Auntie Genoa Keawe. Being classically trained, she has an amazing capacity to both project and sustain a note, also a trademark of Auntie Genoa). Here, she is joined by Willie K.
Dennis Kamakahi and his son, David, are wonderful musicians. Dennis has written many songs that people will be singing 100 years from now. His slack key and traditional guitar styles are now being joined by David's very nice 'ukulele work and vocals.
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...and speaking of 'ukulele - like an itch that you can't scratch, they just grab your attention and won't let go. If you analyze the word, it breaks down into "uku" (flea) and "lele" (jumping). Jake Shimabukuro is a dynamic young uke master is who has show-stopping technique, but also much heart and finesse. Brittni Paiva is very talented young artist from Hilo who specializes in 'ukulele and slack key guitar, and is constantly expanding her abilities - and range of instruments!
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These two artists are primarily known for their extraordinary vocal talents. The late Israel Kamakawiwo'ole has become a legend whose songs struck a resounding chord with Hawaiians; sweet and high, sometimes political in content. Auntie Genoa Keawe sings like an bird, and can hold notes until you just can't wait for her to take a breath.
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 The Kahauanu Lake Trio was recommended to me by my steel guitar mentor, Ken Emerson. It is a classic of the "Old Hawaii"-style sound.
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 "Jesse Kalima was pretty darn good in his day. The Kalima Brothers were around in the 50's. I believe he was one of the first, if not 'the' first to amplify an 'ukelele (at least that's what he told me). Anyway, I have all of their albums, including old LP's. Still enjoy them." -Bill Andrea
 "The Lim Family is from Kohala and, perform at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel (and Mauna Kea Resort). My husband and I were also treated to Mary Anne Lim hosting the luau at the Mauna Kea Beach Resort. What voices!"
- Anne Marie Sitbon
 The Ka'au Crater Boys were "a contemporary Hawaiian pop band who can be heard on Big Island radio stations."
-Dave
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Benny Chong is a fine, jazz ukulele master from Oahu. Don Kauli'a is a talented slack key artist who is now making the Big Island his home. Chris Yeaton's home is Ocean View, on the Big Island, and he plays modern-style slack key and helps promote local artists.
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