Hawaiian Concert Guide Podcast Show 702 - Royal Flush

Welcome to another inspiring edition of the Hawaiian Concert Guide. Episode 702, titled Royal Flush, is a heartfelt musical journey through aloha for family, love of place, worship, memory, and the unmistakable beauty of Hawaiian harmony. This episode moves gracefully from contemporary Hawaiian recordings into faith-filled expressions, pauses for a fun and nostalgic exotica interlude, and then returns home with classic Hawaiian vocal richness.

At the top of the show, we feature a special live interview with Nick and Sam, who are visiting Hilo, Hawaiʻi for the world-renowned Merrie Monarch Festival, the premier celebration of hula and Hawaiian cultural arts.

From the vibrant energy of Hilo during festival week to the deep traditions of hula, chant, and storytelling, Nick and Sam share their firsthand experiences attending one of the most significant cultural events in Hawaiʻi. Their perspective offers listeners a glimpse into the atmosphere, excitement, and reverence that define Merrie Monarch.

The selections in this episode reflect some of the deepest values found in Hawaiian music: reverence for loved ones, profound attachment to the land, gratitude to God, and the enduring power of mele to preserve both emotion and identity. The result is an episode that feels warm, reflective, and deeply rooted.

Featured Tracks 1. E Māma - Kaleo Phillips

Album: E Mama Duration: 4:01

Opening the episode is E Māma, a song that immediately establishes an intimate and reverent emotional tone. The title suggests a tribute to mother, and in Hawaiian musical tradition, songs honoring mothers often carry meanings that go beyond a single individual. They can also reflect family lineage, sacrifice, tenderness, and the continuity of aloha across generations.

Kaleo Phillips delivers the mele with restraint and sincerity, allowing the song's emotional core to remain front and center. Rather than overwhelming the listener with a dense arrangement, the song appears to rely on warmth, vocal phrasing, and a steady melodic line. That simplicity is part of its strength. Hawaiian music often does its best work when it trusts the story.

As an opening track, this selection acts as a gateway into the entire episode. It introduces a theme that echoes through several of the songs that follow: love expressed not through spectacle, but through remembrance, gentleness, and deep personal connection.

• Theme: Family love, reverence, remembrance
• Musical character: Gentle, reflective, intimate
• Why it matters: Sets the emotional and spiritual tone for the full episode

2. Puna Kuʻu Aloha - Christy Leinaʻala Lassiter

Album: Ho'i Ke Aloha - EP Duration: 3:57

Puna Kuʻu Aloha is a beautiful example of Hawaiian songwriting rooted in place. In Hawaiian mele, land is never just scenery. It is memory, identity, relationship, and presence. To sing of Puna is to sing of a living place with emotional and cultural meaning.

Christy Leinaʻala Lassiter brings grace and emotional clarity to this performance. The phrase kuʻu aloha conveys a deeply personal affection, making the title feel like a love letter to Puna itself. This is one of the distinctive strengths of Hawaiian music: the ability to treat land as beloved, not merely observed.

Puna, on Hawaiʻi Island, carries layers of meaning through its lush beauty, dynamic volcanic history, and deep cultural associations. Songs about Puna often hold a sense of longing, beauty, and transformation. This recording fits naturally within that lineage, inviting the listener to hear place as something cherished and alive.

• Theme: Love of place, emotional geography, identity
• Musical character: Flowing, melodic, affectionate
• Why it matters: Reinforces the Hawaiian tradition of connecting aloha with the land

3. Haleakalā - Christy Leinaʻala Lassiter

Album: Ho'i Ke Aloha - EP Duration: 3:37

Staying with Christy Leinaʻala Lassiter, Haleakalā shifts the focus from one beloved region to one of Hawaiʻi's most revered natural and spiritual landmarks. Haleakalā is not only a mountain; it is a place layered with story, reverence, and mythic resonance.

In Hawaiian tradition, places are often inseparable from the narratives attached to them. Haleakalā is famously associated with Māui, who was said to have lassoed the sun there. Because of that, references to Haleakalā can carry themes of time, light, wonder, and power. A song named for it naturally invites awe.

Musically, this piece feels expansive, fitting the majesty of the subject. It broadens the emotional landscape of the episode and deepens the sense that Hawaiian music can hold both personal tenderness and geographic grandeur in the same artistic frame.

• Theme: Sacred place, wonder, mythic landscape
• Musical character: Spacious, reverent, elevated
• Why it matters: Expands the episode from intimate affection into spiritual geography

4. Goodness of God - Gregory Juan

Album: Kauluwehi Duration: 3:41

With Goodness of God, the episode moves more directly into the language of testimony and praise. Though widely known in contemporary Christian music, a Hawaiian-oriented rendition invites the listener to hear the song through a different cultural lens. In this context, gratitude becomes more than a lyric theme; it connects naturally with the Hawaiian value of mahalo.

Gregory Juan's performance likely resonates because of that fusion. Contemporary worship songs can sometimes feel structurally familiar, but when interpreted with island phrasing, local vocal sensibility, and an ear for relational warmth, they can take on a more grounded and communal feeling.

This track serves as an important bridge in the episode. The earlier songs honor people and places. Here, the orientation shifts upward in gratitude toward God. That movement from family and land into faith gives the episode a natural spiritual progression.

• Theme: Gratitude, testimony, faith
• Musical character: Worshipful, warm, heartfelt
• Why it matters: Bridges Hawaiian sensibility with contemporary Christian expression

5. Hawaiʻi Aloha - Kamalei Kawaʻa

Album: Mānaiakalani Duration: 4:56

Few songs carry the emotional and cultural significance of Hawaiʻi Aloha. This is one of the most beloved anthems in Hawaiian music, often sung at the close of gatherings as a gesture of unity, affection, and enduring connection to the islands and their people.

Kamalei Kawaʻa's inclusion of this song is powerful within the context of Episode 702. After moving through songs of personal love, cherished places, and gratitude to God, this anthem broadens the circle to embrace the whole of Hawaiʻi. It becomes communal rather than only personal.

The strength of this song lies not only in melody but in function. It has become a song that people live with, sing together, and use to mark belonging. That sense of shared identity is one of the central treasures of Hawaiian music.

• Theme: Unity, homeland, shared aloha
• Musical character: Anthemic, communal, dignified
• Why it matters: One of the emotional anchors of the entire episode

6. Hoʻomana Ia Iesu (feat. Ka ʻOhana Kawaʻa) - Kamalei Kawaʻa

Album: Mānaiakalani Duration: 4:04

Hoʻomana Ia Iesu brings the episode to an explicitly devotional place. The title itself centers worship of Jesus, and the featured participation of Ka ʻOhana Kawaʻa adds a family and community dimension that is especially meaningful in Hawaiian music.

Hawaiian Christian music has long occupied an important place in the islands' musical life. What makes songs like this especially compelling is the way they join worship with family, language, and local style. Faith is not presented as abstract doctrine, but as something lived together and sung together.

The communal nature of the performance likely enhances its emotional impact. Family voices singing in harmony naturally reinforce the message. In a broader sense, this track reflects one of the recurring motifs of the episode: love becomes fullest when shared.

• Theme: Worship, family faith, shared devotion
• Musical character: Reverent, communal, spiritually centered
• Why it matters: Deepens the episode's faith dimension while preserving a strong Hawaiian identity

Exotica Segment 7. Exotica Segment Intro - pik00

Duration: 4:10

This segment intro marks a stylistic transition in the episode. Up to this point, the program has focused on music deeply rooted in Hawaiian identity, language, faith, and place. The Exotica segment steps sideways into a related but distinctly different musical world: one shaped by fantasy, lounge aesthetics, and mid-century tropical imagination.

That contrast is part of what makes the segment valuable. It offers not only variety, but also perspective. It reminds listeners that "island music" has often been interpreted and reimagined far beyond Hawaiʻi itself.

8. On the Beach at Waikīkī (mix final) - Les Waikikings

Album: Hapa haole with a twist Duration: 2:17

On the Beach at Waikīkī leans into the playful charm of tropical nostalgia. The title alone evokes postcard Hawaiʻi: surf, sand, leisure, and romance. In exotica and hapa-haole-adjacent material, the islands often become a stage for fantasy rather than an expression of local lived culture.

That does not make the piece without merit. On the contrary, tracks like this can be delightful, catchy, and historically revealing. They show how Hawaiʻi was imagined internationally and how tropical motifs were translated into entertainment music for broad audiences.

Within this episode, the song acts as a light palate cleanser. It introduces a wink of vintage fun before the program returns to more deeply rooted Hawaiian harmony.

• Theme: Tropical nostalgia, leisure, fantasy
• Musical character: Breezy, lounge-like, playful
• Why it matters: Adds historical contrast and tonal variety

9. How dya do - Les Waikikings

Album: Hapa haole with a twist Duration: 3:03

How dya do continues the exotica mood with a likely emphasis on upbeat rhythm, polished arrangement, and the stylized "tropical" sound associated with mid-century popular music. These sorts of recordings often present a cheerful, cinematic island atmosphere rather than a culturally grounded one.

For listeners of the Hawaiian Concert Guide, that difference is worth noticing. Authentic Hawaiian music often carries place, genealogy, language, and community. Exotica tends to carry mood, escapism, and fantasy. Hearing both in one episode can be educational as well as entertaining.

In programming terms, this track keeps the episode lively and prevents the emotional arc from becoming too uniform. It is a well-timed detour before the music returns to classic Hawaiian vocal artistry.

• Theme: Escapism, retro charm, tropical stylization
• Musical character: Light, rhythmic, lounge-oriented
• Why it matters: Helps frame the distinction between Hawaiian music and music inspired by Hawaiʻi

Closing Selections: Return to Hawaiian Vocal Depth 10. Ka Loke - Ho'okena

Album: Ho'okena 5 Duration: 4:16

The return from exotica to Ho'okena is a return to center. Ka Loke carries the unmistakable richness of Hawaiian group harmony and poetic sensibility. Ho'okena is known for vocal blend, emotional precision, and the ability to let the song breathe.

The title, meaning "the rose," suggests metaphor, beauty, and affection. Hawaiian songwriting frequently uses natural imagery not simply as decoration, but as a means of expressing human feeling. Flowers, winds, rains, mountains, and seas all become emotional language.

This track is especially effective late in the episode because it restores a sense of depth and rootedness after the lighter detour of the exotica set. The listener is brought back into the fuller emotional and cultural world of Hawaiian mele.

• Theme: Beauty, poetic love, emotional symbolism
• Musical character: Harmonically rich, graceful, classic
• Why it matters: Re-centers the episode in traditional Hawaiian vocal beauty

11. I Love You - Ho'okena

Album: Ho'okena 5 Duration: 4:11

I Love You closes the episode with warmth and universality. While the title is in English, the emotional spirit aligns perfectly with the rest of the program. The entire episode has, in one form or another, been about love: love for mother, love for place, love for God, love expressed in community, and love carried in harmony.

Ho'okena's treatment of a song like this likely gives it both accessibility and depth. Their vocal approach can make even a simple phrase feel timeless. That is one of the gifts of strong Hawaiian harmony: it elevates feeling without forcing it.

As a final track, this song functions almost like a benediction. It leaves the listener with a sense of peace and completion, gathering together the many emotional strands of the episode into one simple message.

• Theme: Love, closure, emotional unity
• Musical character: Gentle, harmonious, reassuring
• Why it matters: A fitting final statement for an episode built around aloha in many forms

Episode Reflection

Episode 702, E Māma, is structured with unusual emotional coherence. Even though the tracks come from different artists and include a temporary move into exotica, the overall episode still feels unified. That unity comes from its central themes: affection, reverence, gratitude, and connection.

The first portion of the program focuses on intimacy and place. E Māma, Puna Kuʻu Aloha, and Haleakalā all carry a sense of deep regard, whether for family or landscape. From there, the episode opens into spiritual testimony with Goodness of God, then broadens into collective and devotional identity through Hawaiʻi Aloha and Hoʻomana Ia Iesu.

The exotica segment introduces contrast and historical perspective, reminding listeners that Hawaiʻi has often been interpreted from afar in ways that are entertaining but not always rooted. That makes the return to Ho'okena especially satisfying. Their closing selections restore the sound of home, depth, and harmony.

If there is a single word that best describes this episode, it is aloha. Not merely as a greeting, but as a way of relating: to mother, to beloved places, to God, to family, and to one another.

Track List

1. E Māma - Kaleo Phillips - 4:01
2. Puna Kuʻu Aloha - Christy Leinaʻala Lassiter - 3:57
3. Haleakalā - Christy Leinaʻala Lassiter - 3:37
4. Goodness of God - Gregory Juan - 3:41
5. Hawaiʻi Aloha - Kamalei Kawaʻa - 4:56
6. Hoʻomana Ia Iesu (feat. Ka ʻOhana Kawaʻa) - Kamalei Kawaʻa - 4:04
7. Exotica Segment Intro - pik00 - 4:10
8. On the Beach at Waikīkī (mix final) - Les Waikikings - 2:17
9. How dya do - Les Waikikings - 3:03
10. Ka Loke - Ho'okena - 4:16
11. I Love You - Ho'okena - 4:11

Closing

Mahalo for joining us for Hawaiian Concert Guide Podcast Show 702. May these songs encourage you to remember those you love, appreciate the beauty of Hawaiʻi, and carry aloha into the week ahead.

A hui hou and malama pono.

Hawaiian Concert Guide – Show 701 Hoʻi Ke Aloha – A Return to Love

Aloha mai kākou, and welcome to another beautiful journey through the sounds of Hawaiʻi. In this episode of the Hawaiian Concert Guide, we share a thoughtfully curated set of mele that flows from intimate contemporary recordings to treasured traditional expressions, with a playful stop in our Exotica segment along the way.

Featured in this show are performances by Christy Leinaʻala Lassiter, Gregory Juan, Kamalei Kawaa, Les Waikikings, and Hoʻokena. Together, these artists bring forward themes of aloha, hula, cherished places, treasured lei, beloved flowers, and the enduring beauty of Hawaiian poetry and song.

Episode Overview

We begin with two selections from Christy Leinaʻala Lassiter's Hoʻi Ke Aloha - EP, setting a warm and inviting tone for the episode. Her recordings offer a graceful balance of modern polish and deep Hawaiian feeling, drawing the listener into songs that feel both personal and rooted in place.

From there, Gregory Juan's album Kauluwehi carries us further into the heart of Hawaiian composition, with mele that suggest affection, honor, and poetic imagery. Kamalei Kawaa follows with songs from Mānaiakalani, including material inspired by native flora and enduring love.

Our Exotica segment offers a change in color and texture with Les Waikikings and their lighthearted, lounge-inflected hapa haole stylings. To close the show, Hoʻokena reminds us why their harmonies and emotional depth remain so beloved in Hawaiian music.

Playlist

• Pālolo – Christy Leinaʻala Lassiter Album: Hoʻi Ke Aloha - EP Duration: 3:17
• Ipo Hula – Christy Leinaʻala Lassiter Album: Hoʻi Ke Aloha - EP Duration: 3:09
• He Mele no Ka Pāoʻo – Gregory Juan Album: Kauluwehi Duration: 2:42
• He Lei no Hiʻilei – Gregory Juan Album: Kauluwehi Duration: 3:21
• Pua ʻĀhihi – Kamalei Kawaa Album: Mānaiakalani Duration: 4:06
• Forevermore – Kamalei Kawaa Album: Mānaiakalani Duration: 3:13
• Exotica Segment Intro – pik00 Category: Promo Duration: 4:10
• Pagan love song – Les Waikikings Album: Hapa haole with a twist Duration: 2:46
• Aloha means I love you – Les Waikikings Album: Hapa haole with a twist Duration: 2:08
• Nou e Keali`i – Ho'okena Album: Ho'okena 5 Duration: 3:30
• Pua 'A'ali'i – Ho'okena Album: Ho'okena 5 Duration: 3:38

Track Notes Pālolo – Christy Leinaʻala Lassiter

This opening selection gently establishes the mood for the program. With a title that invokes Pālolo, the song feels grounded in a sense of place and memory. The performance carries a warm, personal quality, inviting the listener into the episode with tenderness and quiet strength.

Ipo Hula – Christy Leinaʻala Lassiter

A title like "Ipo Hula" evokes affection, beauty, and movement. This track continues the soft, graceful opening set and feels naturally connected to the language of dance and love. It is a fitting companion piece to "Pālolo," extending the emotional intimacy of the first portion of the show.

He Mele no Ka Pāoʻo – Gregory Juan

Gregory Juan brings a more traditional compositional sensibility, and this mele carries the weight of tribute and poetic intention. Songs beginning with "He Mele no…" often feel dedicated, purposeful, and rooted in the Hawaiian practice of honoring people, places, or cherished subjects through song.

He Lei no Hiʻilei – Gregory Juan

The imagery of the lei is central in Hawaiian poetic expression, symbolizing love, honor, remembrance, and adornment. This song suggests something lovingly woven together and offered with care, continuing the episode's recurring themes of affection and connection.

Pua ʻĀhihi – Kamalei Kawaa

With "pua" in the title, this mele turns our attention toward the floral world so often celebrated in Hawaiian song. Native plants and blossoms carry rich symbolic meaning, and this track adds a sense of natural beauty and delicacy to the program. Kamalei Kawaa's performance helps bridge traditional themes with a contemporary recording sensibility.

Forevermore – Kamalei Kawaa

This selection broadens the emotional palette of the episode with a title that speaks directly to lasting love and devotion. Following "Pua ʻĀhihi," it serves as a modern reflection on enduring affection while remaining at home in the overall flow of the show.

Exotica Segment Intro – pik00

Our Exotica segment intro signals a shift in atmosphere, opening the door to a more playful and stylized musical space. It gives the show a fun mid-episode change of pace while still keeping the island mood alive.

Pagan love song – Les Waikikings

Les Waikikings bring a retro lounge flavor to the episode with this exotica-inflected hapa haole performance. The sound recalls an earlier era of island-themed popular music, where romance and escapist imagery were part of the appeal. It offers a contrasting texture to the more deeply rooted Hawaiian selections elsewhere in the show.

Aloha means I love you – Les Waikikings

This charming and direct title captures the accessible, sentimental appeal of the hapa haole tradition. Placed after "Pagan love song," it keeps the Exotica segment light and nostalgic before the program returns to more emotionally grounded Hawaiian harmonies.

Nou e Keali`i – Ho'okena

Hoʻokena's unmistakable vocal blend brings immediate depth and resonance. This track feels reverent and heartfelt, and the group's delivery reminds listeners why they remain one of the most respected names in contemporary Hawaiian music. Their harmonies add emotional gravity as the episode moves toward its conclusion.

Pua 'A'ali'i – Ho'okena

Closing with a flower song is especially fitting for this episode. The ʻaʻaliʻi is often associated with resilience and steadfastness, making this an especially meaningful ending. Hoʻokena sends us out with beauty, strength, and a deep sense of Hawaiian identity.

Featured Artists

• Christy Leinaʻala Lassiter
• Gregory Juan
• Kamalei Kawaa
• Les Waikikings
• Hoʻokena

Closing

Mahalo for joining us for Hawaiian Concert Guide Show 701. This episode is a musical lei woven from songs of love, flowers, hula, memory, and enduring aloha. From the contemporary voices of Christy Leinaʻala Lassiter, Gregory Juan, and Kamalei Kawaa, to the nostalgic charm of Les Waikikings, and the rich harmonies of Hoʻokena, this show celebrates the many colors of Hawaiian music.

E mālama pono, a hui hou, and thank you for supporting the music and artists of Hawaiʻi.

Aloha, and welcome to a truly historic moment! Today we celebrate Show 700 of the Hawaiian Concert Guide.

Reaching 700 episodes is often referred to as a "Golden Milestone" in broadcasting. It signifies excellence, resilience, and a legacy that has stood the test of time. To honor this occasion, we've assembled a playlist that spans the spectrum of the Hawaiian sound—from sacred ancestral chants to the whimsical "Hapa Haole" revival.

The Legacy of the Land: Gregory Juan

We open our 700th celebration with Gregory Juan, an artist whose work from the album Kauluwehi serves as a bridge between past and present.

• 'O Waimea e Hōʻala: This powerful opening track was written by Gregory's grandfather, the late cultural advocate Charles Kauluwehi Maxwell Sr. It is a tribute to the sacred ahupua'a of Waimea, Maui, serving as an "awakening" song that reminds us of our ancestral ties to the land.

• Pua Melie: A beloved classic by Aunty Edith Kanaka'ole. While the melie (plumeria) is beautiful to the eye, the song's deeper kauna (hidden meaning) honors the harmony of voices in the Keaukaha community.

Modern Vibrations: Kamalei Kawaa

Next, we feature the soulful, award-winning sounds of Kamalei Kawaa from his album Mānaiakalani.

• Hānaulā (feat. Kainani Kahaunaele): A masterful collaboration celebrating the mountainous beauty of West Maui. The interplay between Kamalei and the legendary Kainani Kahaunaele is a highlight of contemporary Hawaiian vocal arrangement.

• Ku'u Aloha: A tender track that showcases Kamalei's signature falsetto. It is a song of pure affection, bridging the love between people and the 'āina.

The Spirit of Slack Key: Kawika Kahiapo

It wouldn't be Show 700 without the rhythmic grace of Kawika Kahiapo.

• Pule: Featuring an oration by Kumu Hula Chinky Mahoe, this track is a profound moment of prayer and gratitude. It is the perfect spiritual "center" for our milestone episode.

• In Living Color: This track features the "3D" collaboration (Del Beazley, David Kahiapo, and Dwight Kanae), offering a bright, jazz-influenced celebration of the vibrant life in the islands today.

Special Feature: The French Exotica Revival

A major highlight of this episode is our exclusive interview with the French Exotica band, Les Waikikings. We had a fantastic time chatting with them about their passion for the "Hapa Haole" sound and how a group from France became masters of this vintage island genre.

Their perspective on the global influence of Hawaiian music is fascinating, and their dedication to the "twist" on traditional styles is truly inspiring.

• Te manu pukarua: A high-energy Polynesian classic reimagined with shimmering steel guitars and lush percussion.

• Native Love: A haunting, atmospheric piece that captures the dreamlike, escapist spirit of the 1950s "Golden Age" of Exotica.

The Foundation: Ho'okena

We close our 700th show with the unmistakable harmonies of Ho'okena, whose work from the album Ho'okena 5 remains a pillar of the genre.

• From a Dancer: A stunning Hawaiian-style cover of the Jackson Browne classic. Ho'okena turns this folk-rock masterpiece into a beautiful island tribute to the cycle of life.

• Windward Side: A nostalgic "love letter" to the Windward coast of O'ahu. It captures the trade winds and the mist on the Koolau mountains, ending our 700th episode on a note of pure, graceful Aloha.

Mahalo for being part of the first 700 shows. Here's to the next 700!

Hawaiian Concert Guide – Show 699 Theme: He Mele Inoa Opening Set – Gregory Juan (Album: Kauluwehi) He Mele Inoa no Kauluwehi (1:49)

Artist: Gregory Juan Album: Kauluwehi Language: Hawaiian

We open Show 699 with a traditional mele inoa — a name chant honoring Kauluwehi. In Hawaiian culture, a mele inoa is more than a song; it is a formal proclamation of identity, lineage, and character. These chants carry mana (spiritual power) and often highlight the beauty, traits, and ancestral ties of the person being honored.

Listen for:

• Traditional chant phrasing
• Sparse, respectful instrumentation
• Emphasis on pronunciation and cadence

Honokahua Nani E (4:02)

Artist: Gregory Juan Album: Kauluwehi Language: Hawaiian

This song honors Honokahua, an area in West Maui known for its cultural and archaeological significance. The word nani means "beautiful," and the song reflects deep admiration for the land.

Themes:

• Love of place (mele ʻāina)
• Natural imagery
• Cultural remembrance

Kamalei Kawaʻa – Album: Mānaiakalani Hālaulani (3:31)

Artist: Kamalei Kawaʻa Album: Mānaiakalani Language: Hawaiian

A graceful contemporary Hawaiian composition. The title suggests heavenly or chiefly associations (lani meaning heaven or royalty). Kamalei blends traditional phrasing with modern melodic structure.

• Clean acoustic arrangement
• Strong falsetto phrasing
• Contemporary Hawaiian production style

Kālepa (3:22)

Artist: Kamalei Kawaʻa Album: Mānaiakalani Language: Hawaiian

"Kālepa" references a name — possibly a person or a poetic symbol. In many Hawaiian compositions, personal names stand in for cherished relationships or deeper metaphors.

• Storytelling lyric structure
• Light, flowing rhythm
• Clear enunciation of Hawaiian text

Kawika Kahiapo – Album: Kuʻu Manaʻo Ka Makani Kaʻili Aloha (5:50)

Artist: Kawika Kahiapo Album: Kuʻu Manaʻo Language: Hawaiian

Translated as "The Wind That Snatches Away Love," this song uses classic Hawaiian metaphor, where wind represents emotional change, separation, or longing.

• Rich acoustic guitar
• Emotional vocal phrasing
• Poetic metaphor rooted in natural forces

Kaulana Makapuʻu (4:43)

Artist: Kawika Kahiapo Album: Kuʻu Manaʻo Language: Hawaiian

Makapuʻu on Oʻahu's eastern shoreline is known for its lighthouse and powerful ocean views. This mele celebrates place with vivid imagery — cliffs, winds, and sea spray.

• Pride of place
• Coastal imagery
• Deep knowledge of ʻāina

Les Waikīkings – Album: Hapa Haole with a Twist Papio (2:13)

Artist: Les Waikīkings Album: Hapa Haole with a Twist Genre: Exotica

A playful instrumental shift. "Papio" refers to a young jackfish common in Hawaiian waters. This track blends vintage steel guitar textures and surf-era island rhythm.

The Hukilau (1:57)

Artist: Les Waikīkings Album: Hapa Haole with a Twist Genre: Exotica

A classic hapa haole standard celebrating the communal fishing tradition of the hukilau. The hukilau emphasizes cooperation — everyone pulling the net together.

Ho'okena – Album: Ho'okena 5 Hawaiian Soul (4:32)

Artist: Ho'okena Album: Ho'okena 5 Language: Hawaiian

Written by Jon Osorio, this powerful anthem honors George Helm, a key figure in the Hawaiian cultural renaissance and the movement to protect Kahoʻolawe.

• Sovereignty
• Cultural revival
• Protection of land

Heha Waipiʻo (3:49)

Artist: Ho'okena Album: Ho'okena 5 Language: Hawaiian

A closing tribute to Waipiʻo Valley on Hawaiʻi Island — a place of dramatic cliffs, waterfalls, and deep historical significance. "Heha" conveys awe and admiration.

• Tight multi-part harmony
• Traditional lyrical cadence
• Deep connection to ʻāina

Show 699 Flow Summary

1. Traditional name chant and mele ʻāina
2. Contemporary Hawaiian songwriting
3. Emotional metaphor and wind imagery
4. Retro hapa haole exotica interlude
5. Cultural anthem and powerful harmonies

A beautiful arc — from honoring a name, to honoring land, to honoring culture itself.

🌺🎧 Hawaiian Concert Guide – Show #698 Illumination, Identity & Island Imagination

This week's episode is built around a powerful theme: light, place, memory, and musical identity. From spiritually grounded Hawaiian mele to contemporary songwriting, slack key reflections, and a splash of mid-century exotica, Show #698 travels wide — and then brings us beautifully home.

🌿 Opening with Light – Kahiau Lam Ho

We begin with the luminous voice of Kahiau Lam Ho, whose album Hoʻomālamalama ("to illuminate") frames the emotional tone of this episode.

✨ "Hoʻomālamalama" (feat. Stephen Inglis) A glowing collaboration with master guitarist Stephen Inglis. The arrangement is spacious and reverent, allowing Kahiau's voice to rise with clarity and purpose. This song sets the spiritual and reflective tone of the show.

✨ "The One They Call Hawai'i" A thoughtful meditation on identity — not the tourist postcard version, but the deeper Hawaiʻi shaped by culture, ʻāina, and lived experience. It's contemporary in sound, yet firmly rooted in tradition.

🌺 Island Warmth – Kamalei Kawaa

From introspection we shift into melodic warmth with Kamalei Kawaa.

🌸 "Maui Girl (Special Version)" Light, breezy, and heartfelt — this track captures island romance with sincerity and charm.

🌸 "Hula's Song" A gentle tribute to the cultural heartbeat of Hawaiʻi. The rhythm sways naturally, evoking the movement and grace of hula and the ʻike passed from kumu to haumāna.

🎸 Reflection & Perspective – Kawika Kahiapo

Next comes the expressive artistry of Kawika Kahiapo, blending singer-songwriter storytelling with slack key sensitivity.

🎶 "The Way It Is" Honest and grounded, this song carries lyrical introspection supported by Kawika's fluid guitar phrasing.

🎶 "Another Time" A nostalgic reflection that feels both personal and universal. There's space in this arrangement — room to think, to remember, and to feel.

🗺️ A Mid-Century Escape – Exotica Interlude

Then we take a playful turn into tropical imagination and retro island fantasy.

🌴 The Waitiki 7 – "Adventures in Paradise" Vibraphones shimmer, percussion dances lightly, and the soundscape becomes cinematic. It's a stylized escape — colorful and transportive.

🌴 Les Waikikings – "Minoi Minoi" Hapa-haole charm with a twist. Lighthearted, rhythmic, and unmistakably vintage — a nod to how Hawaiʻi was imagined in mid-century pop culture.

🌊 Returning Home – Hoʻokena

We close with the rich harmonies of Hoʻokena, grounding the show once again in place and tradition.

🌺 "Aloha Hōnaunau" A heartfelt tribute to the sacred and historic district of Hōnaunau on Hawaiʻi Island. The harmonies are full and reverent, honoring the mana of place.

🌺 "Hilo Nani e" An affectionate celebration of Hilo — lush, rainy, beloved. A joyful and satisfying conclusion to a beautifully balanced episode.

🎧 Why This Show Matters

Show #698 explores:

• Illumination through faith and cultural identity • The warmth of contemporary Hawaiian songwriting • Reflection through slack key artistry • The playful imagination of exotica • And a grounding return to ʻāina and harmony

It's modern yet rooted. Reflective yet joyful. A musical journey across time and place — all anchored in aloha.

🎧 Listen now and let the music illuminate your week.

Mahalo for supporting Hawaiian music and for keeping these stories alive. 🌺✨🤙

🌺 Hawaiian Concert Guide Show #697 – Contemporary Voices, Classic Spirit & a Touch of Exotica

In this episode of the Hawaiian Concert Guide, we take a graceful journey through modern Hawaiian songwriting, timeless mele, masterful slack key guitar, and even a playful detour into vintage exotica. Show #697 highlights the deep respect today's artists have for tradition—while confidently adding their own voices to the ongoing Hawaiian musical story.

🎶 Kamalei Kawaa – Mānaiakalani

We open the show with Kamalei Kawaa's soulful and reverent work from his album Mānaiakalani. The title track sets the tone with poetic Hawaiian language and a sense of spiritual grounding that immediately draws the listener in.

• "Mānaiakalani" A reflective and uplifting mele that speaks to divine sustenance and guidance, carried by Kamalei's smooth, confident vocals.

• "Lei Pakalana" (feat. Kamaehu Kawa'a) A beautiful collaboration celebrating the fragrant pakalana lei. The song weaves romance, place, and memory together, enhanced by the warm blend of voices and traditional musical sensibility.

🌿 Kahiau Lam Ho – Hoʻomālamalama

From one of Hawaiʻi's most respected young voices, Kahiau Lam Ho delivers songs rooted in faith, ʻike kupuna (ancestral knowledge), and lyrical elegance.

• "Ka Lehua I Milia" A gentle, poetic mele centered on the beloved lehua flower—symbolic of love, resilience, and connection to the land.

• "E Mililani O Iehova" A powerful expression of spiritual devotion, blending Hawaiian language hymnody with Kahiau's signature clarity and emotional depth.

🎸 Kawika Kahiapo – Kuʻu Manaʻo

Slack key guitar artistry takes center stage with Kawika Kahiapo, whose playing is both technically brilliant and emotionally expressive.

• "Life in These Islands" A thoughtful instrumental that paints a musical portrait of island life—its rhythms, calm, and complexity—through Kawika's masterful guitar work.

• "Aloha Kaua" Translating to "love of war" or "conflicted love," this piece balances tension and beauty, reflecting Kawika's ability to tell layered stories without words.

🗺️ The Waitiki 7 – Adventures in Paradise

We then take a playful and unexpected turn into exotica with The Waitiki 7, a band known for reviving and reimagining mid-century tiki lounge sounds.

• "Octopus Menagerie" Whimsical, cinematic, and fun—this track feels like a soundtrack to a surreal underwater adventure.

• "Mood Indigo" A lush and moody reinterpretation that blends jazz roots with exotica flair, adding a sophisticated twist to the show's flow.

🌊 Hoʻokena – Hoʻokena 5

We close the show by returning to the heart of Hawaiian music with Hoʻokena, whose harmonies and musicianship remain timeless.

• "Aloha Mai e Pele" A respectful and evocative tribute to Pele, the goddess of volcanoes and creation, delivered with sincerity and cultural reverence.

• "Ka Wahine Lewa i ke Kai" A lively and well-loved mele celebrating the grace and strength of a woman moving through the sea—an uplifting way to conclude the episode.

🎧 Final Thoughts

Show #697 is a wonderful snapshot of Hawaiian music today—deeply rooted, spiritually aware, musically adventurous, and joyfully expressive. From heartfelt mele and virtuosic slack key to a splash of exotica fun, this episode honors the past while celebrating the present.

Mahalo for listening, and as always, keep Hawaiian music playing wherever you are 🌈🎶

Hawaiian Concert Guide – Show #696

Show #696 weaves together contemporary Hawaiian mele, masterful slack key guitar, a reverent royal prayer, and a playful detour into retro exotica—then returns home with modern harmonies and a closing affirmation of identity.

Detailed Playlist

1. "Kaulana ʻo Maui" — Kamalei Kawaa (1:20)

   Album: Mānaiakalani

   A short, vivid mele that celebrates the renown of Maui. Kamalei Kawaa opens the episode with a strong sense of place and cultural grounding, offering an inviting entry point into the show's island-centered storytelling. Despite its brief runtime, the track sets an intentional tone: rooted, respectful, and warmly personal.

2. "Hawaiian Rainbow" — Kahiau Lam Ho (2:50)

   Album: Hoʻomālamalama

   Bright and uplifting, this track carries a message of hope and renewal. Kahiau Lam Ho's contemporary approach pairs accessible melody with a distinctly Hawaiian sensibility, making it a feel-good moment that still honors cultural continuity. The song's optimism complements the episode's opening theme of place and belonging.

3. "Kona Moon" — Kahiau Lam Ho (2:37)

   Album: Hoʻomālamalama

   A mellow, romantic island-night reflection inspired by the Kona coast. The pacing and phrasing invite listeners into a quieter emotional space—warm, intimate, and unhurried. Placed after "Hawaiian Rainbow," it shifts the mood from celebratory brightness to a more contemplative evening glow.

4. "East Side Slack Key" — Kawika Kahiapo (4:01)

   Album: Kuʻu Manaʻo

   A standout instrumental showcasing the depth of kī hō'alu (slack key guitar). Kawika Kahiapo's touch is both precise and expressive, balancing rhythmic drive with open, resonant harmony. This track provides a spacious listening moment—ideal for appreciating the nuance and tradition embedded in Hawaiian guitar craft.

5. "Nani Wale Kualoa" — Kawika Kahiapo (3:53)

   Album: Kuʻu Manaʻo

   A musical love letter to Kualoa—its beauty, presence, and sense of mana. The melody and phrasing feel place-centered and reverent, continuing the episode's theme of honoring specific landscapes through sound. The pairing with "East Side Slack Key" creates a strong mid-show slack key feature block.

6. "Queen's Prayer" — Jerome Koko, Daniel Ho & Tia Carrere (3:28)

   Album: Makaha Sons Memoirs

   A deeply reverent rendition of Queen Liliʻuokalani's prayer, offered with restraint and respect. The arrangement emphasizes reflection and spiritual gravity rather than ornamentation, allowing the message and history to remain central. This performance serves as a meaningful cultural anchor in the episode—devotional, dignified, and moving.

7. "Ned's Redemption" — The Waitiki 7 (1:17)

   Album: Adventures In Paradise

   A brief, cinematic exotica vignette—playful and atmosphere-driven. Positioned after "Queen's Prayer," it functions as a palate cleanser: a quick tonal pivot that keeps the episode dynamic while still staying within an island-adjacent musical universe.

8. "Sacha-Cha" — The Waitiki 7 (2:35)

   Album: Adventures In Paradise

   Upbeat and retro, this track leans into classic lounge/exotica energy with rhythmic flair. It's a lighthearted interlude that adds variety and fun—an intentional shift that refreshes the ear before the program returns to contemporary Hawaiian songwriting and harmony.

9. "Home" — Waipuna (4:22)

   Album: Manaʻo Pili

   A heartfelt modern Hawaiian composition centered on belonging and emotional roots. Waipuna's polished harmonies and contemporary production create a sense of welcome and familiarity—bringing the episode back from the playful exotica detour into a grounded, lyric-forward Hawaiian space.

10. "E Ku Kanaka" — Hoʻokena (4:57)

    Album: Hoʻokena 5

    A powerful closing statement affirming identity, pride, and perseverance. Hoʻokena's folk-rooted approach and steady drive make this a resonant finale—leaving listeners with a strong sense of purpose and cultural continuity. A fitting conclusion to an episode built around place, heritage, and the living voice of Hawaiian music today.

Episode Summary

Show #696 moves from place-based mele and contemporary Hawaiian songwriting into a featured slack key set, pauses for a reverent royal prayer, and then takes a playful side-trip through exotica—before returning "Home" and closing with a bold affirmation in "E Ku Kanaka." A complete listen that reflects both the roots and the range of Hawaiian and island-influenced music.

Hawaiian Concert Guide – Show 695 Mele Kalikimaka: No Snow

Posting Date: January 2, 2026

This episode presents a Hawaiian-centered view of Christmas—warm weather, ʻohana, ʻukulele-forward arrangements, modern island pop, cultural continuity, and local identity. The selections reflect how Christmas is lived and felt in Hawaiʻi and across the island diaspora, without reliance on winter imagery or snow.

Playlist & Show Notes (Original Order)

• No Snow Anuhea — All Is Bright — 4:08 Hawaiian Share: 1 of 6 – in the share Added / Played: 01/02/26

  A declarative opening track that establishes the theme of the episode. "No Snow" embraces a distinctly local Christmas experience—sunshine, island rhythms, and a confident rejection of mainland winter clichés.

• The Ukulele Christmas Song Anuhea — All Is Bright — 3:16 Hawaiian Share: 1 of 6 – in the share Added / Played: 01/02/26

  Light, joyful, and ʻukulele-centered, this track reinforces the relaxed island tone of the show and highlights the instrument as a seasonal cultural anchor.

• At Christmas Time (feat. Pure Heart) Jake Shimabukuro & Pure Heart — 'Tis the Season — 4:00 Share: 4 of 13 Added / Played: 01/02/26

  Rich harmonies from Pure Heart paired with Jake Shimabukuro's expressive ʻukulele evoke community singing traditions and the warmth of shared holiday gatherings.

• This Christmas Jake Shimabukuro & Justin Kawika Young — 'Tis the Season — 3:45 Share: 8 of 13 Added / Played: 01/02/26

  A soulful, contemporary take on a familiar holiday standard, blending virtuoso ʻukulele work with modern Hawaiian vocal phrasing.

• I'll Be Home for Christmas Raeatea Helm — I'll Be Home for Christmas — 4:02 YouTube link

  A reflective, intimate performance centered on homecoming—particularly resonant for island families spread across oceans and continents.

• We Wish You a Merry Christmas Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain — 2:14 YouTube link

  A playful, high-energy arrangement that highlights the ʻukulele's global reach while adding contrast and humor to the set.

• Mele Kalikimaka Iam Tongi & Bing Crosby — Bing Crosby 75th Anniversary Edition — 3:45 YouTube link (as provided)

  The centerpiece of the episode. This iconic song bridges generations, connecting a classic recording legacy with a modern Hawaiian voice and reaffirming the song's enduring cultural role.

• Jingle Bell Rock Kalaʻe + Kalena + Kalikimaka 2024 — 2:35 YouTube link

  A youthful, energetic island take on a rock-and-roll Christmas classic, injecting momentum and contemporary flair into the playlist.

• We Are a Voice Kalaʻe + Kalena + Kalikimaka 2024 — 4:17 YouTube link

  More than a holiday song, this track emphasizes unity, representation, and the role of the next generation in carrying culture forward.

• Rapped in a Bow Kalani Peʻa — Purple Hawaiian Christmas — 3:19 Share from 2022 — 2 of 11

  A contemporary Christmas song grounded in Hawaiian identity, blending modern production with strong cultural presence.

• Kanakaloka Kalani Peʻa — Purple Hawaiian Christmas — 2:33 Share from 2022 — 9 of 11

  A culturally rooted piece that deepens the emotional and linguistic range of the episode.

Hawaiian Concert Guide Show 694 – Nano Banana

Episode Synopsis

Welcome to Show 694 – Nano Banana. This episode takes listeners on a sweeping musical journey across Hawaiian heritage: beginning with timeless mele rooted in the landscapes and stories of Waipiʻo Valley and the Hawaiian monarchy, moving through themes of aloha ʻāina and environmental stewardship, honoring the legacy and refinement of the Makaha Sons, venturing into the lush and cinematic world of modern Exotica, and finally returning home through the warm harmonies of Waipuna.

The playful title "Nano Banana" reflects how small musical details reveal surprisingly big cultural stories — a perfect theme for this carefully curated playlist.

Playlist – Show 694: Nano Banana

• Hiʻilawe – Kahiau Lam Ho (4:19) Ho'omālamalama

  "Hiʻilawe" is one of the most iconic traditional mele of Hawaiʻi, tied to Waipiʻo Valley on Hawaiʻi Island. The mele references the towering Hiʻilawe waterfall and a story of hidden love. Generations of musicians—from Sam Liʻa to Gabby Pahinui—have carried this mele forward. Kahiau Lam Ho's contemporary interpretation preserves the melodic intimacy of the piece while presenting it through a modern vocal and production style.

• Sanoe – Kahiau Lam Ho (4:56) Ho'omālamalama

  Composed by Queen Liliʻuokalani and Princess Likelike, "Sanoe" is a mele filled with kaona—hidden meaning—traditionally understood as a story of secret royal affection. Lam Ho's version leans into the quiet emotional tone of the mele, using minimalist accompaniment that allows the poetry and nuance to shine.

• Pukalani Hale – Kawika Kahiapo (4:26) Kuʻu Manaʻo

  "Pukalani Hale" is a place-based mele grounded in the upcountry region of Pukalani on Maui — often translated as "heavenly gateway." Kawika Kahiapo, known for his warm slack-key guitar and heartfelt delivery, performs the mele as an expression of home, spirituality, and gratitude. His musicianship reinforces the intimate connection between land and identity.

• Mother Earth – Kawika Kahiapo (4:15) Kuʻu Manaʻo

  "Mother Earth" expands Hawaiian concepts of aloha ʻāina to a global message of environmental responsibility. Kahiapo uses gentle acoustic textures to remind listeners of their obligation to care for the planet. The mele blends Hawaiian worldview with modern ecological awareness, making it a contemporary anthem of stewardship.

• Queen's Jubilee – Jerome Koko & Daniel Ho (5:15) Makaha Sons Memoirs

  "Queen's Jubilee" celebrates the musical heritage of the Makaha Sons through the talents of Jerome Koko and Grammy-winning producer Daniel Ho. Their collaboration fuses refined acoustic arrangements with the sentimental warmth associated with the monarchy era. The piece functions as a tribute — both to the past and to the many voices that shaped Hawaiian music across generations.

• Ka Makani Kā'ili Aloha – Jerome Koko & Daniel Ho (4:56) Makaha Sons Memoirs

  A beloved classic mele often translated as "The Wind That Steals Love Away," the song personifies wind as an emotional force. Koko and Ho offer a clean, harmony-rich interpretation that honors the poetic storytelling at the heart of the mele. It pairs beautifully with "Queen's Jubilee" to form a thematic homage to Hawaiian musical legacy.

• Ouanalao – The Waitiki 7 (4:33) Adventures in Paradise

  "Ouanalao," named after the indigenous term for Saint Barthélemy, fits squarely in the spirit of mid-century Exotica while elevating it with jazz sophistication and modern cultural respect. The Waitiki 7 are known for reinvigorating Exotica through scholarly musicianship rather than kitsch. This track creates a lush world-fusion soundscape that expands the emotional palette of the show.

• L'ours Chinois – The Waitiki 7 (8:07) Adventures in Paradise

  "The Chinese Bear" is a long-form instrumental journey blending Asian thematic colors, jazz improvisation, shifting tempo landscapes, and intricate percussion. It is cinematic in scope and demonstrates the ensemble's ability to honor Exotica's roots while pushing it into new, musically ambitious territory. The track deepens the atmospheric middle section of the episode.

• Lehua Mamo – Waipuna (4:22) Manaʻo Pili

  A mele celebrating the cherished yellow lehua blossom. Waipuna's arrangement uses contemporary harmonies and polished production to honor traditional imagery of forests, blossoms, and affection. The emotional tone begins to guide listeners back toward themes of home, love, and belonging.

• Home Kapaka – Waipuna (3:55) Manaʻo Pili

  A perfect closing mele expressing homecoming, identity, and emotional grounding. Waipuna's clear vocals and gentle arrangement bring the episode full circle, returning listeners to the values of place, ʻohana, and aloha that shape Hawaiian experience.

© 2025 Hawaiian Concert Guide. All music remains the property of the respective artists and labels.

Hawaiian Concert Guide – Episode 693

Release Date: November 28, 2025

Hosts: Piko & Terry

Title: Hauʻoli Lā Hoʻomaikaʻi (Happy Thanksgiving)

Episode Summary

In this Thanksgiving edition of the Hawaiian Concert Guide, Piko and Terry open Season 20 with a heartfelt celebration of gratitude, ʻohana, and the spirit of aloha. Filled with contemporary Hawaiian music, slack-key warmth, acoustic duets, and even a touch of vintage Exotica, Episode 693 "Hauʻoli Lā Hoʻomaikaʻi" offers listeners a musical table of offerings for the holiday season.

This episode is proudly sponsored by Dreamy Voyages Travel — Adventure Awaits! Dreamy Voyages helps travelers explore Hawaiʻi, the South Pacific, Asia, Europe, and destinations around the world through expertly planned cruise and land adventures.

From songs rooted in the land to mele celebrating love, heritage, and Hawaiian identity, this episode reflects how gratitude flows through Hawaiian music and culture.

Track List & Song Notes

1. "Puʻuanahulu" – Kahiau Lam Ho – 3:34 Album: Hoʻomālamalama · Hawaiian

   "Puʻuanahulu" pays tribute to the storied region of Puʻuanahulu on Hawaiʻi Island. Kahiau Lam Ho's gentle, contemporary style shines through in a piece that blends gratitude, reflection, and community pride. Clear vocals and clean guitar lines give the song an uplifting softness, like a sunrise over the lava fields.

2. "Waiulu" – Kahiau Lam Ho – 4:25 Album: Hoʻomālamalama · Hawaiian

   "Waiulu" is a tender love song that expresses devotion, loyalty, and emotional closeness. Lam Ho's smooth, heartfelt voice carries the poetic imagery of Hawaiian lyricism, turning the track into an intimate musical conversation. It's a modern ballad with timeless cultural roots.

3. "Huakaʻi Hele" – Kawika Kahiapo – 4:19 Album: Kuʻu Manaʻo · Hawaiian

   "Huakaʻi Hele" evokes the idea of traveling through life guided by purpose, memory, and connection to the ʻāina. Kawika Kahiapo's warm slack-key guitar and soulful baritone create a meditative soundscape, inviting listeners into a quiet journey across mountains, shorelines, and the inner landscape of reflection.

4. "ʻĀina Momona" – Kawika Kahiapo – 4:07 Album: Kuʻu Manaʻo · Hawaiian

   Meaning "the fertile land," "ʻĀina Momona" honors the abundance and generosity of Hawaiʻi. Kahiapo explores themes of stewardship, responsibility, and gratitude for the natural world. His soothing vocals and thoughtful phrasing turn the song into a gentle reminder of our kuleana to care for the land that sustains us.

5. "Beautiful Kahana" – Jerome Koko & Daniel Ho – 3:58 Album: Makaha Sons Memoirs · Hawaiian

   A nostalgic tribute to the beloved windward community of Kahana, this track blends Jerome Koko's classic Makaha Sons vocal warmth with Daniel Ho's clean acoustic arrangements. The song feels like a quiet breeze off the Koʻolau mountains—peaceful, familiar, and full of longing for a cherished place.

6. "Kaleleonālani" – Jerome Koko & Daniel Ho – 2:21 Album: Makaha Sons Memoirs · Hawaiian

   "Kaleleonālani" is a graceful instrumental paying homage to Princess Victoria Kamāmalu. Elegant fingerstyle guitar and soft harmonics create a reverent, contemplative mood. The composition carries the unmistakable hallmark of Daniel Ho's artistry—clean, precise, and emotionally resonant.

7. "Left Arm of Buddha" – The Waitiki 7 – 4:43 Album: Adventures in Paradise · Exotica

   Steeped in the traditions of mid-century Exotica, "Left Arm of Buddha" brings playful rhythms, tropical percussion, and shimmering vibraphone textures. The Waitiki 7 revive a genre rooted in imagination and atmosphere, capturing the fantasy and adventure of old Hawaiʻi tiki lounges with modern musicianship.

8. "Her Majesty's Pearl" – The Waitiki 7 – 3:03 Album: Adventures in Paradise · Exotica

   A bright and cinematic follow-up to their earlier track, "Her Majesty's Pearl" sparkles with melodic charm and rhythmic storytelling. The piece feels like the soundtrack to a vintage island-adventure film—whimsical, colorful, and filled with character.

9. "Mālama Mau Hawaiʻi" – Waipuna – 4:56 Album: Manaʻo Pili · Hawaiian

   Powerful, proud, and deeply rooted in cultural identity, "Mālama Mau Hawaiʻi" is a call to protect and cherish the heritage of Hawaiʻi. Waipuna's signature harmonies carry strength and conviction, blending traditional themes with modern arrangements to create an anthem of unity and responsibility.

10. "Papa Sia" – Waipuna – 2:43 Album: Manaʻo Pili · Hawaiian

    "Papa Sia" brings joyful energy with rhythmic guitar lines and spirited performance. The track celebrates movement, dance, and the cheerful side of Hawaiian music, offering a lively closing to this Thanksgiving playlist.

Hawaiian Concert Guide – Episode 692

Release Date: October 17, 2025 Host: Piko Title: Whale Hoohoo

Episode Summary

In this episode of the Hawaiian Concert Guide, Piko takes listeners on a musical journey through contemporary Hawaiian mele, slack-key gems, and lush Exotica instrumentals. From heartfelt vocal collaborations to instrumental storytelling and a powerful closing chorus of "Hawaiʻi Aloha," Episode 692 celebrates how music keeps the spirit of the islands alive across oceans.

Track List & Song Notes

1. "Hoʻomālamalama" (feat. Stephen Inglis) – Kahiau Lam Ho – 4:10 Album: Hoʻomālamalama · Hawaiian

   The title Hoʻomālamalama can be translated as "to enlighten" or "to bring light." In this track, Kahiau Lam Ho teams up with acclaimed musician Stephen Inglis to offer a song about healing, clarity, and renewal. Gentle, thoughtful vocals and a reflective arrangement give the piece a meditative quality, as if lifting the listener out of darkness and into understanding.

2. "The One They Call Hawaiʻi" – Kahiau Lam Ho – 5:40 Album: Hoʻomālamalama · Hawaiian

   This song personifies Hawaiʻi as a beloved figure—someone the singer speaks of with reverence and affection. The lyrics and feel of the track evoke pride in the land and its people, touching on themes of identity, stewardship, and belonging. It plays like a love song to the islands themselves, inviting listeners to reflect on what "Hawaiʻi" means to them personally.

3. "Kuʻu Pili Oha" – Kawika Kahiapo – 3:44 Album: Kuʻu Manaʻo · Hawaiian

   The phrase Kuʻu Pili Oha can be understood as "my cherished closeness" or "beloved companion." Kawika Kahiapo, known for his soulful slack-key guitar and warm vocals, offers a gentle, intimate mele that feels like a conversation between close hearts. It's the kind of song that could be sung quietly on a porch at sunset, filled with gratitude for the relationships that sustain us.

4. "One Heart One Voice" – Kawika Kahiapo – 4:13 Album: Kuʻu Manaʻo · Hawaiian

   "One Heart One Voice" leans into themes of unity and shared purpose. Kahiapo's songwriting often carries messages of peace and responsibility, and this track is a call for people to stand together with aloha. It's an uplifting reminder that when we speak and act as one, even big challenges feel more manageable.

5. "ʻAnapau" – Jerome Koko & Daniel Ho – 2:39 Album: Makaha Sons Memoirs · Hawaiian

   From a project reflecting on the legacy of the Makaha Sons, "ʻAnapau" is a lively, joyful piece that carries the spirit of classic Hawaiian group vocals into a new setting. Jerome Koko's connection to the original Makaha Sons material, paired with Daniel Ho's arranging and production touch, makes this track feel both nostalgic and freshly polished. It's easy to picture friends singing along at a backyard gathering.

6. "Poliahu" – Jerome Koko & Daniel Ho – 5:10 Album: Makaha Sons Memoirs · Hawaiian

   "Poliahu" is a tribute to the snow goddess of Mauna Kea. The song's mood leans more contemplative and reverent, fitting for a mele about a powerful and enigmatic figure in Hawaiian tradition. Listeners can feel the chill and majesty of the mountain in the way the melody unfolds—calm, spacious, and full of respect.

7. "Manila" – The Waitiki 7 – 7:05 Album: Adventures in Paradise · Exotica

   The Waitiki 7 are known for reviving and expanding the classic Exotica sound, and "Manila" is a great example of their globe-trotting imagination. This instrumental piece conjures images of harbors, markets, and far-away ports of call. Rich textures and layered rhythms give it a cinematic feel that pairs perfectly with daydreams of travel.

8. "Craving" – The Waitiki 7 – 5:07 Album: Adventures in Paradise · Exotica

   "Craving" leans into mood and atmosphere: it feels like a soundtrack for late-night conversations under tiki lights. The tune balances playful melodic lines with a slightly mysterious undercurrent, capturing that feeling of restless longing the title suggests. It's a reminder that Exotica can be both fun and emotionally evocative.

9. "I Can See Arkansas" – Waipuna – 4:52 Album: Manaʻo Pili · Hawaiian

   Waipuna blend Hawaiian roots with storytelling influences that reach beyond the islands. "I Can See Arkansas" plays with the idea of geographical distance and emotional closeness—how memories and imagination can make a faraway place feel just within sight. It's a beautiful example of how Hawaiian artists connect local sensibilities with wider world experiences.

10. "Owl's Lullaby" – Waipuna – 3:15 Album: Manaʻo Pili · Hawaiian

    As the title suggests, "Owl's Lullaby" has a gentle, comforting quality. In Hawaiian culture, the pueo (owl) can be a protector and guardian, and this song carries that sense of watchful care. It's the kind of mele you could easily imagine as a bedtime favorite, soothing the end of the day with calm and grace.

Mahalo for Listening

Mahalo nui for joining Piko on this musical journey! Please support the featured artists by seeking out their albums, attending live shows when you can, and sharing their music with friends and family. Your listening helps keep Hawaiian music, language, and stories thriving for future generations.

For past episodes, artist links, and more information, visit HawaiianConcertGuide.com.