1. Oli: ´O Hawai´i nui, Hawai´i iki     Pele Kaio
2. Mele Inoa: Kawika      Kūlia i ka Pūnāwai
3. Mele Iubile No. 1: E ala e Hawai´i moku o Keawe     Clarice Wahineali´i Nuhi
4. Mele Iubile No. 2: ´Auhea ´oe Maui o Papa     Barbara Finneran
5. Mele Iubile No. 3: Eia Moloka´i nui a Hina     Randy Chang
6. Mele Iubile No. 4: Ala mai O´ahu o Kakuhihewa     Puanani Edgar
7. Mele Iubile No. 5: Ho´olono ´ia kau ho´i Kauai     Keali´i Ceballos
8. Mele Iubile No. 6: Ua hiki aku nei o Kalani     Kathy Gore Stanley
9. Mele Iubile No. 7: He Inoa e ka Wohi Kukahi     Leinani Viloria
10. Mele Iubile No. 8: ´Auhea ´oe e ka Makua     Kawika Viloria
11. Mele Iubile No. 9: Eia ´o Naleia´ehu     Puanani Edgar
12. Mele Iubile No. 10: Eia ´o Ali´ikumoku     Puanani Jung
13. Mele Iubile No. 11: ´Oili ke alo o Kaukini     Kehaulani Wilson
14. Mele Iubile No. 12: Ki´eki´e na hana a ka Lani     Dinah Seguban
15. Mele Iubile No. 13: Ho´okahi ´oi o ke kaona     Kanani Kalama
16. Mele Iubile No. 14: ´Auhea ´ia ´oe e Kalani     Clarice Wahineali´i Nuhi 
17. Mele Iubile No. 15: Ma ke kai malino a ´Ehu     Kulia i ka Punawai
18. Mele Inoa: Kalakaua, ka pua mae ´ole i ka la     Kunewa Mook
19. Oli: Eia Kaleponi     Amy Ku´uleialoha Stillman

ALBUM REVIEW - HONOLULU ADVERTISER'S ISLAND SOUNDS COLUMN BY WAYNE HARADA (October 2006)

Genre: Traditional Hawaiian oli and mele.

Distinguishing notes: This exceptional, scholarly collection of hula oli and mele is part of a rich legacy. The chants were composed expressly for King Kalākaua's Birthday Jubilee and performed on Nov. 16, 1886.

Kūlia i ka Pūnāwai made history in 2004 when all these selections were performed live in the Hawaiian language in a Southern California presentation; this CD, then, is a document of that moment. Kumu hula had to research, then perform each title, to capture the ritualist cadence of the past. Producers Lowell Edgar, Daniel Ho and Amy Ku'uleialoha Stillman have concocted an educational tool with Hawaiian lyrics and English translations in a tidy liner booklet.

The presenting organization, Kūlia i ka Pūnāwai (an association of California hula enthusiasts) is to be applauded for this compelling project. Grammy-winning artist Daniel Ho, too, should receive a maile lei for providing this aural document for current and future generations of hula disciples — and efforts to stage a live performance here are in the works. The release is part of a "Legacy Hula" series, with a next-volume tribute to chants honoring Queen Kapi'olani on the drawing boards.

The outlook: With its poetic riches in the native tongue, the disc is a primer for Kalakaua enthusiasts and hula kahiko students; the CD is more academic in importance than entertainment.

Our take: A very special endeavor that all halau should adopt.

ALBUM NOTES include an essay by Hawaiian ethnomusicologist Amy Kuʻuleialoha Stillman, on the cultural and historical background of this recording project.

Kūlia i ka Pūnāwai
(Kumu Hula Association of Southern California)

Kūlia i ka Pūnāwai is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to the perpetuation of hula and professionalism in hula practice. Members are kumu hula of halau hula—hula schools that span southern California from Ventura to Chula Vista. The organization fosters unity among the kumu hula, and a mentoring network.

The Association’s four-fold mission—of maintaining the foundations of hula, perpetuating hula in unity, developing professionalism, and strengthening knowledge and understanding of hula—infuses its various activities. Workshops held during quarterly gatherings focus on educational activities that enhance members’ knowledge base of hula. Performance presentations are opportunities for students from different halau to expand their experiences through sharing repertoire, and through performing in a wide range of theater and festival venues. To date Kūlia i ka Pūnāwai has produced two collaborative concerts, “He Inoa No Kalakaua” in April 2004, and “He Lei No Kapi´olani” in April 2006.

We are indebted to Aunty Clarice Wahineali´i Nuhi, whose vision of a kumu hula gathering was brought to life in November 1997. Aunty Clarice passed away just weeks before the “He Lei No Kapi´olani” concert. Her voice is included on two tracks of this recording, thanks to videotaping of the live performance of “He Inoa No Kalakaua” in 2004.

    
Producers - Lowell Edgar, Daniel Ho and Amy Ku´uleialoha Stillman
Hawaiian Protocol - Randy Chang
Hospitality - Lydia Miyashiro
Production Assistants - Puanani Grace Edgar, Sylvia Puanani Edgar
Recording, Mixing & Mastering - Daniel Ho
Design Layout - Daniel Ho, Lydia Miyashiro
Cover Photo - Lydia Miyashiro
Videographers - Puanani Grace Edgar, Queena Morris
Liner Notes & Editing of Lyrics - Amy Ku´uleialoha Stillman
Lyrics for "He Inoa Iubile No Kalani" - Ka Nupepa Elele, December 11 & 18, 1886
Hawaiian Language Consultants - Puakea Nogelmeier, Keola Donaghy
Marsee Auditorium Performance Producers - Randy Chang, Lowell Edgar
Marsee Auditorium Performance Production Assistants - Lee Ann Sako, Nona Oshiro, Maile Bailey
Marsee Auditorium Performance Videography - JAG Productions

Record Label: Daniel Ho Creations
Recorded: June - July 2006
Release Date: September 2006

hi-res album cover