Joe Keawe is acknowledged as one of the legends of Hawaiian falsetto singing.  Yet, inexplicably, only about three of his dozens of singles recorded for the 49th State Records label in the 1940’s and 50’s have been remastered and reissued on CD.

I thought I would honor Uncle Joe by celebrating his September 10^th birthday with you!  Check out this edition of Ho'olohe Hou to learn more about the life and music of one of my falsetto heroes!  (Listen carefully and you will also hear the mandolin playing of Joe’s mentor, Uncle Johnny Almeida.)

Recommended Listening:

A scant two or three of Joe Keawe’s 49^th State singles have been reissued on CD through the remastering magic of Michael Cord and Hana Ola Records. 

However, Uncle Joe returned to the studio in 1977 – a mere 32 years after his first recording – to record his first and only full-length LP, and that beautiful recording has been reissued on CD.  Check out “Hawai’i’s Falsetto Returns” on the GK Records label.

SONG TITLE	ARTIST	LP/SOURCE	LABEL
Na Ka Pueo	Joe Keawe	45 RPM Single	49th State
Kukuna O Ka La	Joe Keawe	45 RPM Single	49th State
Ho’okipa Paka	Joe Keawe	45 RPM Single	49th State
Pua Lilia	Joe Keawe	45 RPM Single	49th State

All above selections out of print.

If you would like to hear more of Joe Keawe's long out-of-print recordings, send me an e-mail at bill@hoolohehou.org.

Part One of this tribute focused on the 1940s recordings of Alvin Kaleolani Isaacs and the Royal Hawaiian Serenaders on Bell Records.  Part Two provides a brief glimpse of the amazing love and respect the legends of Hawaiian music had and continue to have for Isaacs’ and his compositions - some humorous, some poignant, but all uniquely Hawaiian.

The program focuses on Isaacs’ numerous compositions performed by some of Hawai`i’s most well-loved artists - including some long forgotten names and voices.  I expect that these selections will bring back great memories for some of you and for others the realization that some of your favorite Hawaiian standards are, in fact, Alvin K. Isaacs compositions.  During this set, you will hear a selection from an extremely rare LP entitled “A Lei Of Songs From Sam” by Sam Kahalewai (which offers a pleasant surprise - Gabby Pahinui on steel guitar).  The set also includes long out of print recordings by Prince Kawohi, Fely Gabriel, Haunani Kahalewai, Ray Kinney, and one of Alvin’s talented sons, Norman.  (You will also hear another son, the exceedingly talented steel guitarist Barney Isaacs, backing the vocalists on several of these cuts as well.)

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the work of “Papa“ Isaacs.  Send your comments, suggestions, and requests to bill@hoolohehou.org.

Today at Ho`olohe Hou we celebrate the birthday of one of the most important figures in the history of Hawaiian music: Alvin Kaleolani Isaacs.  “Papa” Isaacs’ contributions to Hawaiian music are incalculable - including the formation of one of the seminal Hawaiian music ensembles (the Royal Hawaiian Serenaders featuring the falsetto voices of Benny Kalama and George Kainapau and the unique steel guitar stylings of Tommy Castro), composing more than 300 songs in both English and Hawaiian (think “Nalani,” “Analani E,” and the comic “No Huhu”), and bringing into the world three more musical Isaacs (steel guitar great Barney Isaacs, slack key legend Atta Isaacs, and singer, bassist, and funnyman Norman Isaacs).

Alvin Kaleolani Isaacs taught himself to play most string and wind instruments by the age of ten.  He formed an orchestra by the age of 13 - doubling on piano and mandolin - and composed the first of his more than 300 songs a year later.  (The first - “Kau`ionalani” - has been recorded countless times - most recently by Amy Hanaiali`i Gilliom.)  During this period, this husky lad also excelled in sports.  As a freshman at McKinley High he became the first freshman in Hawai`i’s history to make the All-Star Scholastics football squad, and he did equally well in track, baseball, and swimming.

Alvin married his high school sweetheart, Julita Chung, in 1924.  To support the large family they planned (they eventually raised ten children), Alvin joined the Honolulu Police Department as a motorcycle patrolman.  But after a debilitating motorcycle accident on the HPD job which left him hospitalized for a year, he turned his full attention to music for income - and the Hawaiian music world hasn’t been the same since.

After the tragic accident, Alvin organized a group, the K.M.M. Syncopators, in 1929.  He formed several other groups after, including the original Royal Hawaiians (which often featured the great Ray Kinney) and The Islanders which enjoyed a long run at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.  In 1935, he joined a band led by Harry Owens’ (who took over at the Royal), and Alvin was this group’s featured singer and comic hula dancer until 1940.

Alvin reorganized The Islanders in 1940 and they played at the Young Hotel Roof Garden until the attack on Pearl Harbor.  At the same time as his run at the Young Hotel, Alvin led another band - Alvin Kaleolani and The Royal Polynesians - who were the house band for the nationwide NBC program “The Voice Of Hawai`i.”   After the attack of December 7th, Alvin joined the U.S. Engineers and served as lieutenant of the guard at Punahou and took his troup of entertainers on the U.S.O. circuit.

In 1947, he assembled the aforementioned Royal Hawaiian Serenaders - an aggregation featuring Honolulu’s finest musicians of that era.  Benny Kalama had a beautiful voice, a way with an `ukulele, and a knack for arranging.  George Kainapau was Hawai`i’s premier falsetto singer.  And Tommy Castro was a well-regarded and oft-copied steel guitarist.  Along with Isaacs’ compositions, the Royal Hawaiian Serenaders were an unbeatable combination who made musical history at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel from 1947 until 1951.  They made numerous recordings for the then fledgling Bell Records label (under their own name and as accompanists for other singers) and they embarked on four mainland tours which broke attendance records at the leading west coast hotels.  It was this mainland exposure which helped introduce Alvin to Bing Crosby (who featured Alvin on his radio programs) and which led to work on Hollywood soundstages with Harry Owens.

A guiding principle that helped shape Alvin’s philosophy on life was his faith.  He was a lifelong member of the Mormon Church, and it was not uncommon for the Isaacs clan to spend evenings in family prayer.  Alvin was very active in his church, and it was while producing a talent show at his church that he conceived of the comedy classic “No Huhu.”  They were rehearsing a one-act skit featuring a Chinese-dialect comedian, and Alvin dreamed up the idea for the song and had it finished it only two hours.  “No Huhu” remains a staple of the Hawaiian comedy repertoire.  You may hear steel guiatarist Alan Akaka perform this with aplomb on Thursday evenings when performing with Genoa Keawe and Her Hawaiians, or you may catch Ocean Kaowili regaling audiences at Honey’s at Ko`olau with this number on Sunday afternoons.  (In an earlier time, two steel guitarists were known for their way with this song - Jules Ah See and Alvin’s son, Barney Isaacs.)

Part One of this tribute focuses on the 1940s recordings of the Royal Hawaiian Serenaders on Bell Records.  Listen and discover the timeless sound Alvin and friends created that is still recognized as epitomical “Hawaiian music.”

The world lost Alvin Kaleolani Isaacs in 1984, but his memory lives on through his many compositions.  Part Two of this program will take a look at some legends of Hawaiian music and their take on Isaacs’ classic compositions.

I hope you enjoy this salue to “Papa Isaacs.“  Send your thoughts, comments, suggestions, and requests to bill@hoolohehou.org.



This program is dedicated to Jeff Au Hoy - one of “Papa” Isaacs' biggest fans.

Solomon "Sonny" Kamahele Jr. was born on August 28, 1921.  Sonny had one of the most illustrious careers in Hawaiian music - in Honolulu as a member of the Hawaiian Village Serenaders backing Alfred Apaka and Hilo Hattie and as a regular member of the Hawaii Calls radio broadcasts and recording sessions, as well as in Hollywood with Sam Koki at the Seven Seas, on MGM Records with Pua Almeida, and with Harry Owens' Orchestra both on television and in a number of movies.

Sonny sang in both his beautiful baritone voice - often reaching the lowest bass notes humanly possible, just for kicks! - as well as an ethereal falsetto.  He was also the master of every instrument in the Hawaiian band - specializing in guitar, 'ukulele, and steel guitar - but was most in demand for his rhythm guitar work.

Sonny's career was chronicled by the Honolulu Star-Bulletin on the occasion of his retirement from the Halekulani Hotel's House Without A Key in 2003 - shortly before his passing.  For a brief overview of his life and work and a sample of Sonny's various talents, listen to this edition of Ho'olohe Hou.

SONG TITLE	ARTIST	LP/SOURCE	LABEL
Ku'u One Hanau	Sonny Kamahele	Sounds Of Hawaii	Sounds Of Hawaii
Ka Ua Loku	Sounds Of Hawaii	Say A Sweet Aloha	Sounds Of Hawaii
Tahaua La	Alan Akaka & The Islanders	How D'Ya Do	ALA
The Cockeyed Mayor of Kaunakakai	Gary Aiko and the Legends	A Romantic Night In Hawaii	Coconut Grove
Halekulani	Sonny Kamahele	Beautiful Hawai'i	Aloha

All above selections out of print.

Recommended Listening:

Although regrettably all of Sonny's solo recordings from the 1950's through the 1990's are no longer available, you can still catch glimmers of his genius on a number of available recordings by groups whose presence Sonny graced.  This includes most recordings by Hawaii Calls and two supergroups - The New Hawaiian Band and The Maile Serenaders, groups that were studio experiments but which never performed live.  One of my favorites is "Let's Hula" by The Maile Serenaders which features Sonny Kamahele, Nina Keali'iwahamana, Sonny Nicholas, and the steel guitar of Joe Custino.  This recording is available as a beautifully remastered CD from Hula Records.

If you would like to hear more of Sonny Kamahele's beautiful recordings that are no longer available, send me an e-mail at bill@hoolohehou.org.

On August 4, 2009, Hawai’i lost one of its most beloved and recognizable voices: Iwalani Kahalewai. 

Charlotte Iwalani Wilson Kahalewai was born January 25, 1934 in Waihe’e, Maui into a most musical family. She started singing at the age of 6 for U.S.O. shows and cut her entertaining teeth at Lani Wai and Wailuku Gardens before becoming a regular on the Hawaii Calls radio programs and studio recordings. Through the 1950’s Iwalani performed at the Top Of The Isle and the Waikiki Biltmore and in 1958 was hired as featured singer and dancer with Alfred Apaka and the Hawaiian Village Serenaders in the Hawaiian Village’s Tapa Room. 

After Apaka’s untimely death in 1960, Iwalani sang at Don The Beachcombers and recorded with sister-in-law Haunani Kahalewai on her Decca and Capitol Records releases heard around the world. Through the 1960’s and 70’s she performed with Alice Fredlund’s Halekulani Girls and the Charles Pokipala Trio at the Halekulani Hotel, the Danny Kaleikini Show at the Kahala Hilton Hotel, the Moana Hotel and Queen’s Surf luaus, and with Tavana’s Polynesian Show at the Ala Moana Hotel, as well as continued frequent guest appearances on the Hawaii Calls radio show. 

Most recently, Auntie Iwa performed in the 1990’s Hawaii Calls revival radio program, The Sounds of Aloha, and she performed right up until her passing with the Royal Hawaiian Band as well as in numerous live Hawaii Calls tribute shows with show veterans Nina Keali’iwahamana, Boyce Rodrigues, and Gary Aiko. Her last recent recording was a duet with Jeff Teves on his recent release Lovely Sapphire Of The Tropics. 

Ironically, despite being featured as a soloist on numerous LP and CD releases by other artists, Iwalani only made one solo album: the 1960’s classic An Hawaiian Happening,  which brought Hawaiian music into a new era courtesy of the progressive sounds of arranger-conductor Benny Saks.  This beautiful LP has recently been digitally remastered and reissued and is essential listening for anyone interested in hearing Auntie Iwa’s unique way with a song and a snapshot of the blend of rock, jazz, Latin, and other influences that pervaded Hawaiian music in the 1960’s. 

To honor Auntie Iwa’s passing, I have put together a set of some of Iwalani’s finest outings – most no longer commercially available.  The set opens with Iwalani’s first ever commercial recording – “Blue Mu’umu’u” – with the Hawaii Calls Orchestra and Chorus and continues with an excerpt of a very rare radio broadcast from the Tapa Room with the Hawaiian Village Serenaders – including a duet with Alfred Apaka.  There are two selections from Iwalani’s An Hawaiian Happening album.  (Listen for one of the hallmarks of Benny Saks’ 1960’s arrangements – a full drum kit!)  Then Iwalani leads the Halekulani Girls on the sad and poignant “Mi Nei” from their out-of-print 1977 LP Dreams of Old Hawaii.  And the set closes with two out-of-print recordings Iwalani made with Hawaii Calls veterans Gary Aiko, Nina Keali’iwahamana, and Mahi Beamer in the 1990s. 

For more information about Iwalani Kahalewai, see the Honolulu Star-Bulletin obituary.

I hope this musical tribute brings back fond memories for those of you who knew and loved Auntie Iwa.  My thoughts and prayers go out to her family, friends, and fans.

Aloha...

Bill Wynne

It’s been about a week since my girlfriend and I went to the movies to see Julie & Julia.  In the movie Nora Ephron cleverly weaves together two stories: how now famous chef Julia Child struggled to find her place in the world of French cooking and how an aspiring writer struggled to find her place in the literary world.  Despite that this might be characterized as a “chick flick,” I had no difficulty relating to either Julie’s or Julia’s story.  In fact, they are in many ways the same story.  And it is my story.

Julie trudged away at a job that was not her passion, and yet she injected into it all of the passion one could muster because the job – helping the injured and the relatives of those who perished in the World Trade Center wade through the bureaucracy surrounding insurance claims - required it.  Her true passion is for writing, but she can’t get a manuscript read to save her soul.  Julia had a successful husband but no passions of her own – until, that is, she and her husband settled in Paris, and she discovered French food!  Julia, an American woman in a strange land, decides to attend the distinguished Cordon Bleu school of French cooking – a school not merely male-dominated but French-dominated.

Julie and Julia’s lives converge when Julie tries to give her life meaning by blogging about cooking her way through Julia’s classic cookbook Mastering The Art Of French Cooking.  Julie was told she would never be a writer.  And Julia was told she would never be a chef.  And both wondered if their pursuits were truly their passion and their destiny or merely something to pass the time until they pass from this life.

I just celebrated 20 years at my job last month.  I really quite enjoy my work (and I think I am pretty good at it, if I do say so myself).  But I have never called it my “passion.”  My “passion” is the music, dance, and culture of Hawai’i.  I have been immersed in Hawaiian music since I was born – despite that I am not of Hawaiian descent and I was born and raised on the East Coast.  I will save the story of how one falls in love with Hawaiian music so far from Hawai’i for another time, but to make a long story short…  By visiting flea markets, junk shops, swap meets, used record stores, and through the generosity of local Hawaiian who wanted me to hear good Hawaiian music, I amassed an outrageously large collection of classic Hawaiian music recordings. And not content to merely listen, I taught myself to play ‘ukulele, steel guitar, slack key guitar, and sing in the Hawaiian language.  But who would I do any of that for in New Jersey?

In the beginning nobody in Hawai’i wanted to hear from a guy in New Jersey who says he plays Hawaiian music.  That has changed considerably in recent years, and I am very fortunate to have been increasingly accepted into the sacred circle of Hawaiian musicians – some legends whose album covers have graced my walls since I was a child and others simply legends to me because I sit in awe of their talent and their gracious willingness to teach me Hawaiian things.  If I were wise, I would move to Hawai’i where I could study – live, breathe, drink, eat – Hawaiian culture.  But for all the right reasons, my life is here in New Jersey, and here I will remain – for the time being…

Meanwhile, I have wanted to contribute meaningfully to the Hawaiian music community, but I wasn’t sure how.  So about two years ago I started a Hawaiian music blog and podcast called Ho’olohe Hou (Hawaiian meaning “to listen again”) through which I intended to share rare music from my vast collection.  The first podcast focused on the Hawaiian steel guitar virtuoso Billy Hew Len – whose style inspired me to take up the steel guitar myself in my early 20’s.  Like Julie’s blog about cooking, my podcast about Billy Hew Len caught fire and was the talk – albeit briefly – of the user groups and online forums about steel guitar and Hawaiian music.  While I could not get recognition as a musician, I was now recognized for writing and talking about Hawaiian music.

And so there we were.  Bill & Billy.

This temporary acclaim brought my blog and podcast to the attention of a radio station which broadcast the show legally and ethically.  (I found out in the process of creating my early podcasts that you cannot use copyrighted works in podcasts without facing significant fines.  As a musician, I am embarrassed that I didn’t realize this.)  But my professional broadcasting heyday came to an abrupt end in April 2008 when the station’s owner passed away unexpectedly, the station went into a period of chaos, and finally, my show did not fit into the new station’s format.  It was at about this same time that I made my most recent trip to Hawai’i.  That means that after having been to Hawai’i every 8-10 months for nearly a decade, I haven’t been back now in 16 months.  Without the radio show and the blog and performing and Hawai’i, I have not been completely “myself” in a long time.

Seeing Julie & Julia made me wonder if Hawaiian music were really my passion or if it was merely something I do to pass the time until I pass from this life.  I’ve been thinking about this all week.  And the answer is a resounding New Jersey hell, no!  I enjoy reading, writing, gardening, home remodeling, cooking, theater, and spending quiet time with my girlfriend and my dog.  The truth is that I have forsaken many of my other passions for Hawaiian music.  The music of Hawai’i got me through some of the most difficult periods of my life.  So now I feel it is my duty and obligation to the Hawaiian people – and especially the musicians who have been so generous with their time, their mana’o, and their aloha – to do something, however insignificant, to help preserve the Hawaiian music of a bygone era.

Wondering what to do about this, I turned to esteemed Hawaiian ethnomusicologist Dr. Amy K. Stillman who said that if I could not be making music right now, I could at least be writing about it.  After having shared thoughts on music by actually playing the music or spinning the records on a radio show, I responded that blogging about the nuances of great music is like blogging about a great French meal.   But for now it’s all I have.  I also feel a little guilty about jump-starting my blog the same week that Dr. Stillman launched one of her own.  To which I can only say that there cannot be enough sharing about this art form that is so critically important to the perpetuation of a culture.  And I can also say that it was all her idea!

The blog posts will be accompanied – from time to time – with sound clips as examples of the topic being discussed.  Hindsight being 20/20, I will whenever possible obtain the permission of the artists and composers to share their work for educational purposes.  In cases where I cannot, I will gladly remove the sound clips at the request of the artist or composer.  My hope, of course, is that if the artist is still alive and depends upon their music as a livelihood, another venue such as this for promoting their work will only be viewed as a positive thing.

My Facebook friends – 67% of them musicians living and working in Hawai’i – have already given me dozens of ideas of what to talk about here and what rare recordings to share.  Have some ideas of your own?  I would love to hear from you.  Send me an e-mail at bill@hoolohehou.org.

Until next time, a hui hou…

Bill Wynne

This week, two hours of Hawaiian steel guitar from the 1950s featuring more than two dozen steel guitarists.

But this is only half the story.  There were so many great steel guitarists to choose from in this era that we have another two hours of 1950s steel guitar in store for you next week.  So be sure to tune in again.

The track listing below doesn't mention the steel guitarists by name.  So who should you expect to hear?  How about Eddie Bush, Sonny Kamaka, Ernie Tavares, Splash Lyons, Prince Kawohi, Lovey Lui Conn, Benny Rogers, David Keli`i, Joe Custino, Danny Stewart, Jules Ah See, Bernie Ka`ai, and Freddie Tavares?!  Now that is an all-star team.

Enjoy!

SONG TITLE	ARTIST	LP/SOURCE	LABEL
Ku`u Lei Lehua	Joe Kahaulelio and the Hooheno Serenaders	Mele Hula - Volume 2	Noelani
Nani Waimea	The Surfers	Tahiti	HiFi
Haunani Mine	The Richard Kauhi Quartette	78rpm Single*	Bell
That’s The Hawaiian In Me	Julia Nui’s Kamaainas	Souvenir Songs Of Hawaii - Volume 3	49th State
Ke Kaupu	Ernest Tavares	Songs Of Old Hawaii	Waikiki
Evening In The Islands	Splash Lyons and His Hawaiians	Aloha Serenades	Decca
Luau Chant	Prince Kawohi and the Luau Boys	At The Luau	RCA Victor
Selamoku	Pauline Kakahuna and Her Hauoli Girls	45rpm Single	Waikiki
Manu O`o	Pauline Kakahuna and Her Hauoli Girls	45rpm Single	Waikiki
Ala Moana Annie	Pauline Kakahuna and Her Hauoli Girls	Keep Your Eyes On The Hands	Waikiki
Steel Guitar Boogie	Benny Rogers	45rpm Single	49th State
Ku`u Lei `Awapuhi / Maui Moon	Benny Rogers with The Harmony Isles Group	Romantic Hawaii	49th State
Maui Chimes	Benny Rogers with The Harmony Isles Group	Souvenir Songs Of Hawaii - Volume 20	49th State
Moana Chimes	David Keli`i with Hawaii Calls Orchestra	Aircheck (Live Broadcast)	--------
Hula Oni Oni E	Al Perry and The Singing Surfriders	Favorite Hawaiian Chants and Hulas	Decca
My Little Grass Shack	Akoni Lani and His Islanders	Hawaiian Favorites	Tops
Anytime, Anywhere	Chick Floyd’ Orchestra	Have Fun With Lucky	Mahalo
Hilo Hula	Honey Kalima and His Royal Hawaiian Serenaders	Starlight In Hawaii	Decca
Holoholo Ka`a	The Maile Serenaders	Let’s Hula*	Hula
Hanohano Hanalei	Danny Stewart	Songs Of Old Hawaii	Waikiki
Ke Aloha	George Kainapau with Danny Stewart’s Hawaiians	Souvenirs Of Hawaii	Decca
Hapa Haole Hula Girl	Danny Stewart and His Islanders	Song Of The Islands	Coral
Two Shadows On The Sand	Alfred Apaka with Danny Stewart’s Hawaiians	The Hawaiian Wedding Song	Decca
Pagan Love Song	Alfred Apaka with The Hawaiian Village Serenaders	Sing Me A Song Of The Islands	Decca
Na Ali`i	Benny Kalama and The Hawaiian Village Serenaders	Echoes Of Hawaii	Decca
Na Kuahiwi `Elima	Mahi Beamer	45rpm Single	Decca
Rhumba Medley	The Hawaiian Village Serenaders	Aircheck (Live Broadcast)	--------
Maile Lau Li`ili`	The Hawaiian Village Serenaders	Aircheck (Live Broadcast)	--------
Noho Paipai	Danny Kua`ana	Holiday In Hawaii	Capitol
Princess Pupule	The Polynesians	Hawaii Calling	Crown
Hame Pila	Ray Andrade and His Orchestra	My Own Hawaii	RGA
Go Around The Island	The Polynesians	Hawaiian Paradise	Crown
Stars Shining O`er Hawaii	The Polynesians	Lovely Hula Hawaii	Crown
Malihini Mele	William Kealoha & His Orchestra	Hawaiian Luau	Roulette
Little Grass Shack	William Kealoha & His Orchestra	Hawaiian Luau	Roulette

All selections out-of-print unless indicated. (Click on the link to a title to locate a possible distribution source.)

*Remastered and rereleased on CD.

The entire month of January, Ho`olohe Hou celebrates Hawaiian music in the 1950s!

Sunday, January 13th - We revisit the amazing steel guitarists of the 1950s including rarities from Barney Isaacs, Jules Ah See, David Keli`i, Billy Hew Len, Pua Almeida, Jerry Byrd, Danny Stewart, Lovey Lui Conn, Benny Rogers, and Joe Custino.

Sunday, January 20th - We reexamine the influence of 50's mainland jazz on Hawaiian music with such combos as the Richard Kauhi Quartet, the Kalima Brothers, Johnny Spencer and the Kona Coasters, and The Invitations.  We celebrate the birthday of popular 50's vocalist Iwalani Kamahele.  And we dedicate an entire hour to steel guitar wizard Billy Hew Len on the occasion of his birthday.

Sunday, January 27th - We look at the year that capped off the decade: 1959.  Some of the most amazing recordings in the history of Hawaiian music were recorded and released in this single fantastic year including gems from Sterling Mossman, Chick Floyd, The Surfers, Ed Kenney, Pua Almeida, Alfred Apaka, Eddie Kamae, and The Invitations.

Don't miss a minute of our celebration of the fabulous fifties all month long on Ho`olohe Hou.  Only at 50th State Radio.

Can you believe it’s been a year already? This program began as a modest podcast on January 6, 2007. But with the help of 50th State Radio, the number of listeners has grown from single digits to thousands around the globe!

We begin the new year by remembering the humble beginnings of the program and the “charter? - the reason why we’re even doing this at all. Then we’ll spend the remainder of the program exploring Hawaiian music in the 1950s - including a look at falsetto singing in that decade, the great male vocalists of that era, and some comic hulas from the great ladies of song of this period.

We celebrate the birthday - what would have been the 100^th birthday - of a Hawaiian boy who made his mark as a steel guitarist in the Big Apple - Hal Aloma. In our “Why In The World Is This Out Of Print?? segment, we revisit 78rpm classics from Andy Cummings featuring Hawai`i’s Songbird, Lena Machado. (Listen for some of the earliest slack key guitar on record by none other than Gabby Pahinui!) And in “Then and Again,? we take a look at two versions of the seldom heard Lani McIntire composition “Kalihi“ - one by the composer from the 1940s and another by The Brothers Cazimero from the 1980s.

Thanks for making it a memorable year! Here’s looking forward to many, many more. This is Ho`olohe Hou! Keep listening…

Bill Wynne 

SONG TITLE	ARTIST	LP/SOURCE	LABEL
Hula La	Chick Floyd	Hula La	Liberty
Hi`ilawe	Haunani Kahalewai	The Voice of Hawaii	Decca
Kumu In A Muumuu	Sterling Mossman	Happy In Hawaii	Decca
Nanakuli	Marlene Sai	Authentic Hawaiian Songs*	Sounds of Hawaii
Hula O Makee	Charles “Kaipo? Miller	Sophisticated Hulas*	Mahalo
Waikaloa	John Pi`ilani Watkins	Songs To Remember Hana Maui*	49th State
Kealoha	George Kainapau with Danny Stewart’s Hawaians	Souvenirs Of Hawaii	Decca
Kaloaloa	George Keoki and His Moana Serenaders	Music For A Hawaiian Luau	Decca
He U`i	Danny Kua`ana	Holiday In Hawaii	Capitol
Hawaiian War Chant	Johnny Spencer’s Kona Coasters	Authentic Music Of Kauai, Maui, and Hawaii	Waikiki
Selamoku	Pauline Kekahuna	45rpm Single	Waikiki
(Look Out For) The Girl In The Hula Skirt	Prince Kawohi and the Luau Boys	At The Luau	RCA Victor
Ama Ama/Tomi Tomi	Hawaii Calls Orchestra and Chorus	Waikiki!	Capitol
To Make You Love Me, Ku`uipo	Splash Lyons and His Hawaiians	Aloha Serenades	Decca
Sweet Someone	Alfred Apaka	Sing Me A Song Of The Islands	Decca
Fish And Poi	Pua Almeida	South Sea Island Magic	MGM
Aloha No Hawaiian Style	The Kalima Brothers	45rpm Single	Terk
Wikiwiki Mai	Hal Aloma	At The Luau 400	Dot
Hawaiian Love Chant	Hal Aloma	Lure Of The Islands	Dot
Ku`u Lei Makamae	Hal Aloma	At The Luau 400	Dot
Holo Wa`apa	Lena Machado with Andy Cummings and His Hawaiian Serenaders	Songbird Of Hawaii	Harmony/Columbia
E Ku`u Lei, My Darling	Lena Machado with Andy Cummings and His Hawaiian Serenaders	Songbird Of Hawaii	Harmony/Columbia
Ku`u Wa Li`ili`i	Lena Machado with Andy Cummings and His Hawaiian Serenaders	Songbird Of Hawaii	Harmony/Columbia
Ei Nei	Lena Machado with Andy Cummings and His Hawaiian Serenaders	Songbird Of Hawaii	Harmony/Columbia
My De De	Lena Machado with Andy Cummings and His Hawaiian Serenaders	Songbird Of Hawaii	Harmony/Columbia
Red Opu	Emily De Los Santos	Keep Your Eyes On The Hands	Waikiki
Out On The Beach At Waikiki	Puanani Alama	45rpm Single	49th State
Lulu Get Your Muumuu	Genoa Keawe	45rpm Single	49th State
Holoholo Ka`a	Julia Nui’s Kamaainas with Johnny Almeida	45rpm Single*	49th State
Pidgin English Hula	Hilo Hattie	Souvenir Songs Of Hawaii - Volume 16	49th State
No Huhu	Naughtie Abbie	Souvenir Songs Of Hawaii - Volume 5*	49th State
Ala Moana Annie	Pauline Kekahuna	Keep Your Eyes On The Hands	Waikiki
I’ll Weave A Lei Of Stars	Honey Kalima	Waikiki Sings	Waikiki

All selections out-of-print unless indicated. (Click on the link to a title to locate a possible distribution source.)

*Remastered and rereleased on CD.

This week, two hours of uninterrupted holiday music done Hawaiian style. These songs and the artists that performed them are just a few of my many favorites. I hope I picked a few your favorites, too! I hope these songs bring you wonderful memories that warm the heart and make this season just that much more special. Thanks for making this program a small part of your holidays.

Wishing you and your loved ones the happiest of holidays and peace, love, and joy in this season and thoughout the new year.

Thanks for listening!

Bill Wynne

SONG TITLE	ARTIST	LP/SOURCE	LABEL
Nu `Oli	Keali`i Reichel	Maluhia	Punahele
Sing Noel / C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S	Local Divas	Local Divas’ Christmas	Local Divas
Christmas Day In Hawai`i Nei	The Makaha Sons	Christmas Day In Hawai`i Nei	Poki
I Love Christmas (Aloha Kalikimaka)	The Brothers Cazimero	Christmas In Hawaii with Jim Nabors	Bluewater
Hosana (Ua Mau)	Na Leo Pilimehana	Christmas Gift	NLP
Merry Christmas	Weldon Kekauoha and Tapa Groove	Our Ohana’s 1st Christmas	Ohana
Mele Kalikimaka	Haunani Kahalewai	A Merry Hawaiian Christmas	Capitol
Silver Bells	Don Ho	The Don Ho Christmas Album	Reprise
Caroling, Caroling	The Honolulu Boy Choir	Christmas With The Honolulu Boy Choir	Lehua
We Three Kings	The Brothers Cazimero	Christmas Collection	Mountain Apple
Some Children See Him	Local Divas	Local Divas’ Christmas	Local Divas
E Hahai Ia Iesu Kristo Ka Haku	Palani Vaughan	Kaulana Na Pua - Volume Two	Nakahili
Ka Hikina Mai (It Came Upon A Midnight Clear)	Boyce Kaihiihikapuaokalani	A Merry Hawaiian Christmas	Capitol
What Child Is This	Willie K	Willie Kalikimaka	Mountain Apple
Nani Keli`i Ki`eki`e (Glory To God In The Highest)	Eddie Kamae and The Sons Of Hawai`i	Christmas Time With Eddie Kamae and The Sons Of Hawai`i	Hawaii Sons
Mele Kalikimaka Ia Kakou/Mele Kalikimaka Ia `Oe	`Ike Pono	Our Ohana’s 1st Christmas	Ohana
`Ekolu Mea Nui	Sam Keli`iho`omalu	Ola Ka `Oiwi	Hula
The Song Of Christmas	Don Ho	The Don Ho Christmas Album	Reprise
White Christmas	Haunani Kahalewai	A Merry Hawaiian Christmas	Capitol
Winter Wonderland	Melveen Leed	Christmas With Melveen	Lehua
Sleigh Ride	Arthur Lyman	Mele Kalikimaka	HiFi
Hawaiian Santa	The Surfers	Christmas From Hawaii	HiFi
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus	Willie K	Willie Kalikimaka	Mountain Apple
Santa Baby	Local Divas	Local Divas’ Christmas	Local Divas
Sing Ting-A-Ling-A-Jingle	Karen Keawehawaii	Have A Merry Karen Christmas	Kaleolani
Christmas Don’t Be Late	Opihi Pickers	Our Ohana’s 1st Christmas	Ohana
Grownup Christmas List	Local Divas	Local Divas’ Christmas
The 12 Days Of Christmas	Sonny Kamahele	A Merry Hawaiian Christmas	Capitol
We Need A Little Christmas	The Honolulu Boy Choir	Christmas With The Honolulu Boy Choir	Lehua
The Christmas Song	Don Ho	The Don Ho Christmas Album	Reprise
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas	Henry Kapono	Merry Christmas To You	Browntown
Merry Christmas, Darling	Keali`i Reichel	Maluhia	Punahele
I’ll Be Home For Christmas	Local Divas	Local Divas’ Christmas	Local Divas
O Holy Night	Willie K	Willie Kalikimaka	Mountain Apple
Ave Maria	Na Leo Pilimehana	Christmas Gift	NLP
We Wish You A Merry Christmas	The Surfers	Christmas From Hawaii	HiFi

 

This week, we begin to celebrate the season with holiday classics - both old and new - from Hawai`i. Along the way we’ll take away the instruments and look at a capella gems from Nina Keali`iwahamana and Danny Kaleikini. I’ll share some sacred songs done in the traditional Hawaiian falsetto by Sam Keli`iho`omalu, Ata Damasco, and Na Palapalai. And it wouldn’t be Ho`olohe Hou if we didn’t blow the dust off of some rarities, so I will share some special holiday memories from Lucky Luck, Alfred Apaka, and a favorite of listeners of this program, Aunty Genoa Keawe.

Plus more songs of snow, sleigh bells, children, family, presents, Santa Claus, and the real reason for the season - the birth of a Savior.

I hope you enjoy these songs I’ve picked to share with you this week. Season’s Greetings from Ho`olohe Hou! Thanks for making us a part of your Sunday.

Enjoy!

Bill Wynne

SONG TITLE	ARTIST	LP/SOURCE	LABEL
We Three Kings	The Brothers Cazimero	Christmas Collection	Mountain Apple
Mele Kalikimaka	Haunani Kahalewai	A Merry Hawaiian Christmas	Capitol
Winter Wonderland	Melveen Leed	Christmas With Melveen	Lehua
Merry Christmas, Darling	Keali`i Reichel	Maluhia	Punahele
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus	Willie K	Willie Kalikimaka	Mountain Apple
The Christmas Song	Don Ho	The Don Ho Christmas Album	Reprise
Some Children See Him	Loyal Garner	Local Divas’ Christmas	Local Divas
Christmas Don’t Be Late	Opihi Pickers	Our Ohana’s 1st Christmas	Ohana
The 12 Days Of Christmas	Sonny Kamahele	A Merry Hawaiian Christmas	Capitol
Hawaiian Santa	The Surfers	Christmas From Hawaii	HiFi
Sleigh Ride	Arthur Lyman	Mele Kalikimaka	HiFi
`Twas The Night Before A Kanaka Christmas	Lucky Luck	45rpm single	Mahalo
Joy To The World (Hau`oli Ka Honua)	Alfred Apaka and The Hawaiian Village Serenaders	45rpm single	Hawaiian Village Records
Silent Night (Po La`I E)	Genoa Keawe	45rpm single	49th State
I Love Christmas (Aloha Kalikimaka)	Eddie Kamae and The Sons Of Hawai`i	Christmas Time With Eddie Kamae and The Sons Of Hawai`i	Hawaii Sons
Caroling, Caroling/We Need A Little Christmas	The Honolulu Boy Choir	Christmas With The Honolulu Boy Choir	Lehua
Mele Kalikimaka Ia Kakou/Mele Kalikimaka Ia `Oe	Waimanalo Keikis	Mele Kalikimaka	Tradewinds
Baby’s First Christmas	Karen Keawehawaii	Have A Merry Karen Christmas	Kaleolani
Ulu Mahiehie	Del Beazley and Israel Kamakawiwo`ole	One For Akua	Mamo
Nani No Ka Sabati	Roddy Lopez	`Ekahi Lehua	KeleoPono
`Ekolu Mea Nui	Sam Keli`iho`omalu	Ola Ka `Oiwi	Hula
He Nani No	Ata Damasco	From The Valley To The Throne	Ululoa
I Call Him Lord	Na Palapalai	Ke `Ala Beauty	Koops2
What Child Is This (Ke Keiki Ali`i)	Nina Kealiiwahamana	A Merry Hawaiian Christmas	Capitol
Nani Keli`i Ki`eki`e	Danny Kaleikini	I Am What I Am	DK
Doxology	Mana`o Company	Praising Him Island Style - Volume 2	Quiet Storm
E Hahai Ia Iesu Kristo Ka Haku	Palani Vaughan	Kaulana Na Pua - Volume Two	Nakahili
No Kristo	Na Kahu	Aloha Ke Akua	Aloha Ke Akua
The First Noel	Nohelani Cypriano	Local Divas’ Christmas	Local Divas
Iehova	Keawe Lopes	He Aloha No…	Mana Pa`i
Aloha Mai E Ka Haku	Bulla Ka`iliwai	Na Hulukupuna	Ululoa
The Little Drummer Boy	The Makaha Sons	Christmas Day In Hawai`i Nei	Poki
Ave Maria	Na Leo Pilimehana	Christmas Gift	NLP

 

 

We cover a lot of ground this week, listeners! We spend the first hour examining the influence of the rhythms of Spain, Brazil, and the Latin Americas on Hawaiian music from the 1960s - when the Bossa Nova craze was sweeping the country - to the present. We then look at just a few of the songs that make us homesick for Hawai`i. We’ll celebrate the birthday of entertainer Nani Lee Meadows with some rare live performances by Nani with her late husband, legendary composer and entertainer Kui Lee, and their pals Don Ho, Sonny Chillingworth, and Zulu - just as it happened one evening at Don’s parents’ place, Honey’s Tavern, in Kane`ohe in the early 1960s. We will also celebrate the birthday of a falsetto legend - arguably the best of all time - Mahi`ai Beamer, with some of his earliest and most rare recordings. And, finally, we return to our “Then and Again? segment with a look at a classic composition from then pen of friends Mary Kawena Pukui and Maddy Lam in two recordings made 40 years apart by two different artists using the exact same Benny Saks arrangement.

SONG TITLE	ARTIST	LP/SOURCE	LABEL
North Shore Road	Kapono Beamer	North Shore Road	Volcano
Kela Mea Whiffa	Cyril Pahinui	Ka Ho`oilina Mau	Poki
Lawakua	Napua Greig	Pihana	Pihana
Hale A Laka	Aaron Sala	Ka `Upu Aloha	Hula
Ke Aloha No Waipio	Weldon Kekauoha & Tapa Groove	Kanaka Maoli	`Ohelo
Popo`alaea	Teresa Bright and Kawaikapu Hewett	Ka Pilina	Generation Music
Lepe `Ula`ula	Jesse Kalima	Holiday In Hawaii	Sounds Of Hawaii
Nanea Kou Maka I Ka Le`ale`a	Sonny Chillingworth	Ka `Aina `O Hawaii	Makaha
Malia My Tita	Buddy Fo and The Invitations	Kiss Me Love	Makaha
E Ku`u Baby Hot Cha Cha	Lena Machado	Hawaii’s Songbird	South Seas
In Spite Of All	Marlene Sai	The Best Of Marlene Sai	Makaha
Piukeone	Myrtle K. Hilo	Will You Love Me (When My Carburetor Is Busted)	Makaha
Roselani Blossoms	Iwalani Kahalewai	An Hawaiian Happening	Sounds Of Hawaii
Silversword	Billy Gonsalves and The Paradise Serenaders	Billy Gonsalves and The Paradise Serenaders	Sounds Of Hawaii
Latitu	Nathan Aweau	E Apo Mai	B.P. Music Arts
Ma Mua Paha	Amy Hanaiali`i and Willie K.	Hanaiali`i	Mountain Apple
Ka`ililauoekekoa	Sean Na`auao	Neutralize It	Poi Pounder
Prelude/Home In The Islands	The Brothers Cazimero	Hawaii, In The Middle Of The Sea	Mountain Apple
Here In This Enchanted Place	Joe Recca	A Child Of This Land	Mele
A Song Of Old Hawai`i	Owana Salazar	Hula Jazz	Moonbow
Island Style	John Cruz	Acoustic Soul	Lilikoi
I Miss You, My Hawai`i	Na Leo Pilimehana	I Miss You, My Hawai`I	NLP
Taro Patch	Kui and Nani Lee	Waikiki Swings	Hula
Where Is My Love Tonight	Nani Lee	Waikiki Swings	Hula
He Ono	Kui and Nani Lee	Waikiki Swings	Hula
Na Kuahiwi Elima	Mahi Beamer	45 rpm single	Decca
Kawohikukapulani	Mahi Beamer	45 rpm single	Decca
E Ku`u Tutu	Leinaala Haili	No Ka Oi	Makaha
E Ku`u Tutu	Raiatea Helm	Hawaiian Blossom	RHR
Paniau	Mahi Beamer	Hawaii’s Mahi Beamer	Hula
Honolulu City Lights	Keola and Kapono Beamer	Honolulu City Lights	Paradise

 

As you might already have guessed by my lengthy conspicuous absence from the airwaves, I have been more than a little under the weather for a few weeks now - a pretty nasty bout with bronchitis. And I have coughed myself right out of a voice! My silence has been a blessing to family, friends, and co-workers, but it doesn’t do much for the avocation of a budding radio show host.

But, as they say, the show must go on! So I bring you a most unorthodox show this week… My first foray into the world of radio was as a child making mix tapes in my parents’ den. I made epic mix tapes from my then still growing collection of Hawaiian music, and these tapes became a staple for long road trips with the family. (In a manner of speaking, I still make my mix tapes. But now I share them with you every week and call them Ho`olohe Hou. ) This week’s program is one of those mix tapes I made circa. 1989 (or nearly 20 years ago). So there is no new music here - mostly classics from some of the legends of Hawaiian music plus a few from seldom-heard artists. I remastered this right from the original cassette tape. I hope it satisfies all of our cravings for some much needed Hawaiian music to make our day of rest even more restful and see us through the week ahead.

I hope to be back with you in person - or as much as we can be “in person? via the Internet - next week. Until then…

Enjoy!

Bill Wynne

SONG TITLE	ARTIST	LP/SOURCE	LABEL
Ha`aheo E Ka Manu Pikake	The Peter Moon Band	Cane Fire	Panini
No Ke Ano Ahiahi	Melveen Leed	My Hawaiian Country	Lehua
Lovely Hula Hands	Honey Kalima	Lovely Hula Hands	Waikiki
Nani Waimea	Alan Akaka & The Islanders	How D`Ya Do	ALA
Lulu Lima	Tina Kaapana with Hui Ohana	Portrait Of The Kaapanas	Poki
Kumu In The Muumuu	Sterling Mossman	Happy In Hawaii	Decca
Blue Coral	Don Ho & The Aliis	The Don Ho Show!	Reprise
Chloe	Ry Cooder with Gabby Pahinui	Chicken Skin Music	Warner Brothers
Wahine Hololio	Ozzoe Kotani	Classical Slack
Palisa	Haunani Kahalewai	Trade Wind Islands	Capitol
Hula Breeze	The Maile Serenaders	Evening In The Islands	Hula
Pua Melekule	Na Keonimana	Hoihoi	Poki
Nani	Led Kaapana & I Kona	Jus’ Press	Leahi
Hanalei	Kaleo O Kalani	The Kaleo O Kalani Trio	Sounds Of Hawaii
Nani Waialeale	The Hilo Hawaiians	Honeymoon In Hawaii	Hawaii Hosts
Ka Mamakakaua	Palani Vaughan	Ia `Oe E Ka La	Nakahili
Laimana	The Lim Family	Ku Kaulana	Pumehana
Dahil Sayo	Marlene Sai	I Am Hawaii (Various Artists)	Makaha
Hali`ilua	Vicki Ii and Family	Na Mele `Ohana	Hula
Ka Lama `Ae One	The Sunday Manoa	3	Panini
Hanauma	Sam Bernard	Mahie Palua	Kahanu
Po Mahina	Gabby Pahinui	Gabby Band Volume 2	Panini
`Ai Kakou	Myrtle K. Hilo	Mahalo Plenty	Lehua
Naka Pueo	Johnny Pineapple	Hawaiian Holiday	Pickwick
Ka Pili Oha	Hui Ohana	Hui Ohana	Paradise
Ka Loke Polena	Jesse Kalima & Sons	Jesse Kalima & Sons	Flair
Ka Na`i Aupuni	The Brothers Cazimero	The Sound Of The Sea Surrounds Me	Mountain Apple
Kai Hawanawana	Pua Almeida	Dancing Under The Stars	Waikiki
`Uheuhene	The Tahitian-Aires	The Tahitian-Aires	Decca
Hi`ilawe	Hawaii Calls Orchestra and Chorus	Hawaii Calls Greatest Hits	Capitol
Puhio	Rodney Arias and the New Paradise Serenaders	Island By The Sea	SEAK
Hanalei Moon	Na Hanai	Na Hanai	Poki
Panini Puakea	Gabby Pahinui and The Sons of Hawaii	Gabby Pahinui and The Sons of Hawaii	Hula
Pretty Red Hibiscus	The Invitations	R.S.V.P.	Liberty
`Awapuhi	The Peter Moon Band	Full Moon	Kanikapila
Ring Around The Moon	Lani Kai	Island Love Songs	Decca
A Maile Lei For Your Hair	The Aliis	Hawaii Right Now!	Reprise
Portuguese Washermwoman	Sonny Chillingworth	Sonny Chillingworth	Makaha
E Naughty Naughty Mai Nei	Mel Peterson	Have Fun With Lucky Luck	Mahalo
Hame Pila	Honey Kalima	Lovely Hula Hands	Waikiki
Na Wai Kaulana	Tony Lindsey and Friends	Blue Darling	Hula
Wai O Ke Aniani	Hui Ohana	Ke Kolu	Lehua

 

What do you say about a living legend on the occasion of her 89^th birthday? You don’t. With a career spanning more than 60 years and hundreds of recordings covering 50 of those years, you simply let her music speak for itself.

It’s Aunty Genoa Keawe’s birthday! Mahalo for helping me celebrate in style. It is my sincere hope that you enjoy this program as much as I enjoyed putting it together for you.

Me ke aloha a me ka ha`aha`a,

Bill Wynne

SONG TITLE	ARTIST	LP/SOURCE	LABEL
`Alika	Genoa Keawe	Party Hulas*	Hula
Pua Laniuma	Genoa Keawe	Hulas Of Hawaii*	GK
Sweet Lei Mokihana	Genoa Keawe	By Request*	GK
Maile Swing	Genoa Keawe	45rpm Single***	49th State
Mahalo E Hilo Hanakahi	Genoa Keawe	45rpm Single	49th State
Ei Nei	Genoa Keawe	45rpm Single	49th State
Stevedore Hula (Kipikoa)	Genoa Keawe	45rpm Single	49th State
Hanauma	Genoa Keawe	45rpm Single	49th State
Marcelle Vahine	Genoa Keawe	45rpm Single	49th State
Nawiliwili	Genoa Keawe	45rpm Single	49th State
Firemen’s Hula	Genoa Keawe	45rpm Single	49th State
Do The Hula	Genoa Keawe	45rpm Single	49th State
Ku`uipo Onaona	Genoa Keawe	45rpm Single	49th State
Kaloaloa	Genoa Keawe	45rpm Single	49th State
Anahola	Genoa Keawe	45rpm Single	49th State
Nani Waialeale	Genoa Keawe	45rpm Single	49th State
Hula O Makee	John Pi`ilani Watkins	45rpm Single	49th State
Ho`oluana	John Almeida	45rpm Single	49th State
Kalamaula	Genoa Keawe, Naughty Abbie, & Agnes Malabey	45rpm Single	49th State
Ku`u Ipo	George Naope	45rpm Single	49th State
Aloha Wau Ia `Oe	John Pi`ilani Watkins	45rpm Single	49th State
Hola `Epae	Genoa Keawe	Luau Hulas*	Hula
Ku`u Lei Hoku	Genoa Keawe	Party Hulas*	Hula
I Ali`I No `Oe	Genoa Keawe	Luau Hulas*	Hula
Mana`o No`u `Ia `Oe	Genoa Keawe	Hulas Of Hawaii*	GK
E Ku`ulei, E Ku`uipo	Genoa Keawe	Hulas Of Hawaii*	GK
Moku O Keawe	Genoa Keawe	By Request*	GK
Laelae	Genoa Keawe	By Request*	GK
E Maliu Mai	Genoa Keawe and Gary Aiko	Aloha To Aloha Grill*	GK
Pauoa Liko Ka Lehua / Mauna Loa	Genoa Keawe w/ The Sunday Manoa	The Waimea Music Festival*	Panini
Panini Puakea	Genoa Keawe	All-Time Hula Favorites	Poki
Paliakamoa	Genoa Keawe	All-Time Hula Favorites	Poki
Ke Ala O Ka Rose	Genoa Keawe	Sing Along With Auntie Genoa Keawe - Volume 3	GK
Wahiikaauula	Genoa Keawe	Sing Along With Auntie Genoa Keawe - Volume 1	GK
Aloha Ka Manini	Genoa Keawe	Sing Along With Auntie Genoa Keawe - Volume 2	GK
Pauoa Hula	Genoa Keawe	Hula - Volume One*	GK
Kapiolani Paka	Genoa Keawe	Hula Hou**	U`ilani
My Yellow Ginger Lei	Genoa Keawe	Hula Hou**	U`ilani
He U`i	Genoa Keawe	In The Hula Style**	U`ilani
Pua `Iliahi	Genoa Keawe	In The Hula Style**	U`ilani
KHBC	Genoa Keawe	In The Hula Style**	U`ilani
Pauoa Liko Ka Lehua	Pali w/ Genoa Keawe	In Harmony**	PK
Do The Hula	Hula Joe & the Hutjumpers w/ Genoa Keawe	Hula Joe & the Hutjumpers**	Black & Tan
Hu`i E	Raiatea Helm w/ Genoa Keawe	Sweet & Lovely**	RK

All selections out-of-print unless indicated. (Click on the link to a title to locate a possible distribution source.)

*Remastered and rereleased on CD

**Recent release available on CD

***Remastered and re-released on a compilation CD

This week on Ho`olohe Hou we feature 50 years of recordings by the godmother of all Hawaiian music, Aunty Genoa Keawe, as we celebrate this Halloween baby's 89th birthday.

Tune in this Sunday at 50th State Radio for two hours of reminiscing with the music of everybody's favorite aunty - from her very first recording in 1946 to her most recent in 1996 and including even more recent guest appearances with the young lions of Hawaiian music like Zanuck Lindsey, Raiatea Helm, and Pali.

1-3pm HST

3-5pm PST

6-8pm EST

This week’s program begins by continuing our look at traditional Hawaiian music today that I began last week after my return from Hawai`i. Having spent seventeen days on O`ahu in September, I am eager to share with you the beautiful Hawaiian music I heard - and I heard plenty! I open this week’s program by sharing my typical Wednesday and Thursday evening in Honolulu with you. Wednesdays begin at the Outrigger Waikiki Hotel with Chris Kamaka and Baba Alimoot (known together as Hema Pa`a), then down Ala Moana Boulevard to Aloha Tower Marketplace where The Brothers Cazimero perform in the relaxed but elegant atmosphere of Chai’s Island Bistro, then back to Waikiki for a late evening with Weldon Kekauoha at Tiki’s Grill and Bar at the ResortQuest Waikiki Hotel.

The remainder of the program focuses on someone who was arguably the islands’ greatest female composer of all time: Hawai`i's Songbird, Lena Machado. I don’t know what else to say about Auntie Lena except the she had a “way with words? - unlike any other. This program takes a look at the two facets of her career as vocalist and composer. This set opens with several numbers from out-of-print Columbia 78 rpms with Andy Cummings featuring Auntie Lena‘s beautiful voice, and then we spend an hour with the greats of Hawaiian music interpreting Auntie Lena’s many compositions.

As part of our Lena Machado birthday celebration, I challenge you with another “Three-Of-A-Kind? contest. I have tried to adjust for the difficulty level of this week’s contest in two ways: I have added a fourth song to this set to give you an additional clue, and I have created a set that has not one, but two correct answers. If you think you know what these four Lena Machado recordings have in common, send me an e-mail at bill@50thstateradio.com.

I encourage you to learn more about the life and music of Lena Machado. I have filled this program with lots of Auntie Lena’s music and, in so doing, I left little time to talk about the songs or the amazing woman who gave them life. But Auntie Lena’s hanai daughter, Pi`olani Motta, with the help of Kihei Silva, has written the definitive book about Lena Machado’s life and compositions. Check out Songbird of Hawai`i.

We look forward to hearing your thoughts, comments, suggestions, and requests. Send me an e-mail at the e-mail address above. Enjoy the show!  

SONG TITLE	ARTIST	LP/SOURCE	LABEL
Catching A Wave	Hema Pa`a	Two Voices, One Heart**	Hula
`Ala Anuhea	The Brothers Cazimero	Some Call It Aloha…Don’t Tell**	Mountain Apple
Honolulu At The Crossroads	The Brothers Cazimero	Some Call It Aloha…Don’t Tell**	Mountain Apple
Mele O Lana`i	Weldon Kekauoha	Ka Lehua `Ula**	`Ohelo
Makee `Ailana	Genoa Keawe	In The Hula Style**	U`ilani
My Lovely Hawaiian Maid	Genoa Keawe	Hula Hou**	U`ilani
Mahina O Hoku	Gary Aiko w/Genoa Keawe	In The Hula Style**	U`ilani
Hoe Hoe Na Wa`a	Genoa Keawe	Hula Hou**	U`ilani
Na Ka Pueo	Lena Machado with Andy Cummings Orchestra	78rpm	Columbia
My De De	Lena Machado with Andy Cummings Orchestra	78rpm	Columbia
E Ku`u Lei, My Darling	Lena Machado with Andy Cummings Orchestra	78rpm	Columbia
Mai Lohilohi Mai `Oe	Lena Machado	Hawaii’s Songbird*	South Seas
Ma`anei Mai `Oe	Myrtle K. Hilo	The Singing Cab Driver*	Makaha
Ipo Hula	Billy Gonsalves	Billy Gonsalves and The Paradise Serenaders*	Sounds Of Hawaii
Holo Wa`apa	Leinaala Haili	Hiki No	Makaha
Ku`u Wa Li`ili`i	Bill Lincoln	Bill Aliiloa Lincoln	Tradewinds
Ho`onanea	Iwalani Kahalewai	An Hawaiian Happening	Sounds Of Hawaii
Mom	Marlene Sai	Not Pau	Makaha
E Ku`u Baby Hot Cha Cha	The Invitations	Kiss Me Love*	Makaha
Aloha No	Tony Lindsey	Indebted To You	Hula
U`i Lani	Hui Ohana	Young Hawaii Plays Old Hawaii*	Lehua
Kauoha Mai	Joe Keawe	Hawaii’s Falsetto Returns*	GK
None Hula	Nalani Olds Reinhardt	Nalani `Elua	Kahanu
Ei Nei	Kawai Cockett	Hula Hou	O Ka La
Pua Mamane	Sam Bernard	Mahie	Kahanu
Kaulana O Hilo Hanakahi	Owana Salazar	Hula Jazz**	Moonbow
Kamalani O Keaukaha	The Brothers Cazimero	Follow Me**	Mountain Apple
Holau	Moana Chang	He Leo `O Moana	Mountain Apple
Moanieke`alaonapuamakahikina	Tony Conjugacion	Hawaiian Hope	Kahanu
Pohai Kealoha	Amy Hanaiali`i Gilliom	Hawaiian Tradition**	Mountain Apple
Nuku O Nu`uanu	Keao Costa	Whee-Ha!**	Mountain Apple
Ho`ohaehae	Napua Greig	Pihana**	Pihana

All selections out-of-print unless indicated. (Click on the link to a title to locate a possible distribution source.)

*Remastered and rereleased on CD

**Recent release available on CD

 

This week on Ho`olohe Hou, we celebrate the birthday of one of the most important figures in the history of Hawaiian music: Alvin Kaleolani Isaacs. “Papa? Isaacs’ contributions to Hawaiian music are incalculable - including the formation of one of the seminal Hawaiian music ensembles (the Royal Hawaiian Serenaders featuring the falsetto voices of Benny Kalama and George Kainapau and the unique steel guitar stylings of Tommy Castro), composing more than 300 songs in both English and Hawaiian (think “Nalani,? “Analani E,? and the comic “No Huhu?), and bringing into the world three more musical Isaacs (steel guitar great Barney Isaacs, slack key legend Atta Isaacs, and singer, bassist, and funnyman Norman Isaacs).

My goal was to cram as much of “Papa? Isaacs music into a two-hour program as possible. In so doing, I made the mistake of saying very little about the man. So, some things you should know:

Alvin Kaleolani Isaacs taught himself to play most string and wind instruments by the age of ten. He formed an orchestra by the age of 13 - doubling on piano and mandolin - and composed the first of his more than 300 songs a year later. (The first - “Kau`ionalani? - has been recorded countless times - most recently by Amy Hanaiali`i Gilliom, a selection featured on this week’s program.) During this period, this husky lad also excelled in sports. As a freshman at McKinley High he became the first freshman in Hawai`i’s history to make the All-Star Scholastics football squad, and he did equally well in track, baseball, and swimming.

Alvin married his high school sweetheart, Julita Chung, in 1924. To support the large family they planned (they eventually raised ten children), Alvin joined the Honolulu Police Department as a motorcycle patrolman. But after a debilitating motorcycle accident on the HPD job which left him hospitalized for a year, he turned his full attention to music for income - and the Hawaiian music world hasn’t been the same since.

After the tragic accident, Alvin organized a group, the K.M.M. Syncopators, in 1929. He formed several other groups after, including the original Royal Hawaiians (which often featured the great Ray Kinney) and The Islanders which enjoyed a long run at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. In 1935, he joined a band led by Harry Owens’ (who took over at the Royal), and Alvin was this group’s featured singer and comic hula dancer until 1940.

Alvin reorganized The Islanders in 1940 and they played at the Young Hotel Roof Garden until the attack on Pearl Harbor. At the same time as his run at the Young Hotel, Alvin led another band - Alvin Kaleolani and The Royal Polynesians - who were the house band for the nationwide NBC program “The Voice Of Hawai`i.? After the attack of December 7th, Alvin joined the U.S. Engineers and served as lieutenant of the guard at Punahou and took his troup of entertainers on the U.S.O. circuit.

In 1947, he assembled the aforementioned Royal Hawaiian Serenaders - an aggregation featuring Honolulu’s finest musicians of that era. Benny Kalama had a beautiful voice, a way with an `ukulele, and a knack for arranging. George Kainapau was Hawai`i’s premier falsetto singer. And Tommy Castro was a well-regarded and oft-copied steel guitarist. Along with Isaacs’ compositions, the Royal Hawaiian Serenaders were an unbeatable combination who made musical history at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel from 1947 until 1951. They made numerous recordings for the then fledgling Bell Records label (under their own name and as accompanists for other singers) and they embarked on four mainland tours which broke attendance records at the leading west coast hotels. It was this mainland exposure which helped introduce Alvin to Bing Crosby (who featured Alvin on his radio programs) and which led to work on Hollywood soundstages with Harry Owens.

A guiding principle that helped shape Alvin’s philosophy on life was his faith. He was a lifelong member of the Mormon Church, and it was not uncommon for the Isaacs clan to spend evenings in family prayer. Alvin was very active in his church, and it was while producing a talent show at his church that he conceived of the comedy classic “No Huhu.? They were rehearsing a one-act skit featuring a Chinese-dialect comedian, and Alvin dreamed up the idea for the song and had it finished it only two hours. “No Huhu? remains a staple of the Hawaiian comedy repertoire. You may hear steel guiatarist Alan Akaka perform this with aplomb on Thursday evenings when performing with Genoa Keawe and Her Hawaiians, or you may catch Ocean Kaowili regaling audiences at Honey’s at Ko`olau with this number on Sunday afternoons. (In an earlier time, two steel guitarists were known for their way with this song - Jules Ah See and Alvin’s son, Barney Isaacs. You will hear Barney’s version on this program, and you will hear Jules Ah See’s version when this program celebrates his birthday next June.)

The world lost Alvin Kaleolani Isaacs in 1984, but his memory lives on through his many compositions. This program will take a look at the new generation of Hawaiian music artists’ take on Isaacs’ classic compositions.

This week’s program opens with music from a 1984 recording by Alvin Isaacs’ longtime friend and partner, Benny Kalama - a recording on which Benny recreated the classic sound of the Royal Hawaiian Serenaders (and an album which, in my personal opinion, was robbed of a well-deserved Na Hoku Hanohano award). We then spend some time listening to the 1940s recordings of the Royal Hawaiian Serenaders on Bell Records on which Benny and Alvin performed together. Listen and discover the timeless sound Alvin and friends created that is still recognized as epitomical “Hawaiian music? - a sound you can still hear today at sunset each evening at the Halekulani Hotel in Waikiki.

The remainder of the program focuses on Isaacs’ numerous compositions performed by some of Hawai`i’s most well-loved artists - including some long forgotten names and voices. I expect that these selections will bring back great memories for some of you and for others the realization that some of your favorite Hawaiian standards are, in fact, Alvin K. Isaacs compositions. During this set, you will hear some selections from an extremely rare LP entitled “A Lei Of Songs From Sam? by Sam Kahalewai. I included as many songs from this recording as I could fit since it was extremely rare to get the Isaacs `ohana into the recording studio together, but “A Lei Of Songs From Sam? features Barney Isaacs on steel guitar, Norman Isaacs on bass, Alvin Isaacs on `ukulele, and - a surprise! - Gabby Pahinui on guitar, and more than half of this beautiful record features the compositions of Alvin Isaacs.  (If only slack key guitarist Atta Isaacs had been present at these sessions...)

And speaking of Barney, this week in our “Why In The World Is This Out Of Print?? segment, we revisit an out-of-print treasure from just a few years ago - “E Mau - Take One? - with a band led by Barney Isaacs and which - like Benny Kalama’s “He Is Hawaiian Music? just a few years before - recreated the classic Royal Hawaiian Serenaders sound. Barney enlisted the help of Benny Kalama for this recording, as well as Aaron Mahi on bass and singer, guitarist, and vintage Hawaiian music acolyte Scott Furushima.

This week’s “Three-Of-A-Kind? contest is very special. After listening to so much Alvin Isaacs music, listen closely to these three selections and the answer should be apparent to you! If not, listen closely anyway because they are three beautiful recordings which represent rare moments in Hawaiian music history. (That is a hint!)

And we close the program with proof of the timelessness of Alvin Isaacs’ compositions as we feature a handful of recording by today’s Hawaiian music artists performing Isaacs’ classic songs.

To listen to the show, click on the link to 50th State Radio or on the radio logo in the navigation pane.

We look forward to hearing your thoughts, comments, suggestions, and requests. Send an e-mail to bill@50thstateradio.com .

SONG TITLE	ARTIST	LP/SOURCE	LABEL
Ahea No Ho`i La	Benny Kalama	He Is Hawaiian Music*	Lehua
My Island Love Song	Benny Kalama	He Is Hawaiian Music*	Lehua
Hula Mai `Oe	Benny Kalama	He Is Hawaiian Music*	Lehua
Ke Aloha	The Royal Hawaiian Serenaders	Legends Of Falsetto****	Hana Ola/Cord
You’re At A Luau Now	The Royal Hawaiian Serenaders	Night Club Hula - Hawaiian Style****	Hana Ola/Cord
Mi Nei	The Royal Hawaiian Serenaders	Night Club Hula - Hawaiian Style****	Hana Ola/Cord
Manowaiopuna	The Royal Hawaiian Serenaders	Show Biz Hula - Hawaiian Style****	Hana Ola/Cord
He Nani Helena	The Royal Hawaiian Serenaders	Show Biz Hula - Hawaiian Style****	Hana Ola/Cord
Aloha Ku`u Pua	The Royal Hawaiian Serenaders	Night Club Hula - Hawaiian Style****	Hana Ola/Cord
Nalani	Randy Oness’ Select Hawaiian Serenaders	Show Biz Hula - Hawaiian Style****	Hana Ola/Cord International
Uina Uina	Prince Kawohi and The Luau Boys	At The Luau	RCA Victor
Ho`omalimali	Fely Gabriel	Hawaiian Slack Key - Vol. 1	Waikiki
Moon Of The Southern Seas	Haunani Kahalewai	Moon Of The Southern Seas	Capitol
Sing Your Cares Away	Sam Kahalewai	A Lei Of Songs From Sam	Four Winds
Nani	Ray Kinney	Remember Waikiki	Liberty
Ta-Ha-Ua-La	Hawaii Calls Orchestra	Hula Island Favorites	Capitol
Ku`ulani	Norman Isaacs	Duke Kahanamoku’s Favorites	Waikiki
No Huhu	Sterling Mossman	Live	Decca
Hula La	Chick Floyd	Hula La	Liberty
Aloha Nui Ku`uipo	Sonny Kamahele	Say A Sweet Aloha	Sounds Of Hawaii
He Nani Helena	Genoa Keawe	By Request*	GK
Analani E	The Hilo Hawaiians	Bunny Brown’s Hilo Hawaiians****	Lehua
Poi Song	Sam Kahalewai	A Lei Of Songs From Sam	Four Winds
Ala Wai Hula	Sam Kahalewai	A Lei Of Songs From Sam	Four Winds
Piipau Chant	Sam Kahalewai	A Lei Of Songs From Sam	Four Winds
I Want To Be Hawaiian	Three-Of-A-Kind Contest	Take A Guess!
Kauiokalani	Three-Of-A-Kind Contest	Take A Guess!
Ho`owali La	Three-Of-A-Kind Contest	Take A Guess!
Medley: Ku`ualoha E Maliu Mai/Kaleponi Hula	Barney Isaacs and The Kahala Surf Serenaders	E Mau	Aloha
Hana Hou, My Boy, Hana Hou	Barney Isaacs and The Kahala Surf Serenaders	E Mau	Aloha
The Wahine In The Lauhala Hat	Barney Isaacs and The Kahala Surf Serenaders	E Mau	Aloha
`Auhea `Oe/Ka Ua Loku	Makaha Sons	Kuikawa***	Poki
E Mau	Teresa Bright	Self Portrait***	Pumehana
Leimomi	Weldon Kekauoha	Hawaiian Man***	Guava Ding Thing
Aloha Ku`u Pua	Israel Kamakawiwo`ole	In Dis Life***	Big Boy
Kau`ionalani	Amy Hanaiali`i	Generation Hawai`i***	Mountain Apple
Blue Lei	The Royal Hawaiian Serenaders	Night Club Hula - Hawaiian Style****	Hana Ola/Cord

All selections out-of-print unless indicated. (Click on the link to a title to locate a possible distribution source.)

*Remastered and rereleased on CD.

**Selections from the same recording session by the same artist remastered and rereleased on CD but which does not include the out-of-print selection featured on this program.

***Recent release available on CD.

****This selection remastered and rereleased on a compilation CD.

This week’s program opens with music from the 1970s before taking a further leap backward to the 1950s and 60s with some long out-of-print treasures. (My goal each week is to play at least one recording you have likely not heard before - even if you are an aficianado and collector of Hawaiian recordings.  But I am guessing there will be more than one you have never heard before in this first half hour set!) We then proceed to celebrate the birthdays of three Hawaiian music giants: the Sons of Hawaii bassist and arranger Joe Marshall; singer, guitarist, composer, and arranger Sonny Kamahele; and slack key master Ledward Kaapana. We mourn the passing of the multitalented Walter Mo`okini. And in this week’s “Why In The World Is This Out Of Print?? we take another listen to a party favorite of long, long ago from Tony Lindsey and Friends.

Oh, and of course, there is another “Three-Of-A-Kind? contest this time around! But I’m not sure why since none of our listeners have even attempted the last two! If my hunch is correct that I have simply been making these much too difficult, I made this week‘s contest considerably easier. Give it a try…

To listen to the show, click on the link to 50th State Radio or on the radio logo in the navigation pane.

Enjoy the show! We look forward to hearing your thoughts, comments, suggestions, and requests. Send an e-mail to bill@50thstateradio.com. 

SONG TITLE	ARTIST	LP/SOURCE	LABEL
Eleu Mikimiki	The Sunday Manoa	3*	Panini
Ku`u Hoa	Peter Ahia	Talena	Poki
Moku O Keawe	Bill Ali`iloa Lincoln	Hula In Falsetto	Tradewinds
Holo Wa`apa	Tina Kaapana	Alania	Poki
A`ole Kukui Hele Po	Kawai Cockett	I Am Hawaii	Lehua
Hanauma	Vicki Ii	Mele-Hula	Noelani
Duke Kahanamoku	Andy Cummings	Duke Kahanamoku’s Favorites	Waikiki
Kaulana O Hilo Hanakahi	Linda Dela Cruz	Hawaii’s Canary*	Hana Ola/Cord
He Aloha No O Honolulu	Richard Kauhi’s Trio	On The Beach At Waikiki	Waikiki
E Komo Mai Ehea Ke Kanaka	Eddie Kamae and the Sons of Hawaii	The Music Of Hawaii	National Geographic
Hali`ilua	Marcella Kalua with the Sons of Hawaii	Girl From Papakolea	Makaha
Kuwiliwili Iho Au	Bill Kaiwa with the Sons of Hawaii	Bill Kaiwa Sings At Maunalahilahi	Hula
Na `Ai Ono	Eddie Kamae and the Sons of Hawaii	This Is Eddie Kamae	Hula
Ku`u One Hanau	Sonny Kamahele	Sounds Of Hawaii	Sounds Of Hawaii
Ka Ua Loku	Sonny Kamahele	Say A Sweet Aloha	Sounds Of Hawaii
Tahaua La	Alan Akaka and The Islandsers	How D`Ya Do!	ALA
Cockeyed Mayor Of Kaunakakai	Gary Aiko And The Legends	A Romantic Night In Hawaii	Coconut Grove
Halekulani	Sonny Kamahele	Beautiful Hawai`i***	Aloha
Punahoa Special	Hui Ohana	Ono**	Poki
Slack Key #3	Hui Ohana	Hawaii-Tahiti**	Poki
San Antonio Rose	Hui Ohana	Aloha Pumehana**	Poki
Lulu Lima	The Kaapanas	Portrait Of The Kaapanas	Poki
I Kona	Na Leo Kani O Punahele	Na Leo Kani O Punahele	Pumehana
Freight Train	I Kona	Ka Lua O Ka Manawa	Pumehana
Ho`ese Pue Ana `Oe	Led Kaapana & Ikona	Still Pressin’	Kahale
Pipeline	Led Kaapana & Ikona	Hawai`i I Ka Pu`uwai	Leo Nui
Kapa`ahu	Ledward Kaapana and the New Ikona	Nahenahe	Kahale
Na Pua Ka Ilima	Melveen Leed	Melveen With The Best Of Slack Key*	Lehua
Tewe Tewe	Olomana	E Mau Ana Ka Ha`aheo***	Better Days
Meleana E	The Ho`opi`i Brothers	Ho`omau***	Mountain Apple
Pua Mamane	Walter Mookini with Alan Akaka and The Islanders	How D`Ya Do	ALA
Kau`ikeaolani	Tony Lindsey & Friends	Blue Darling	Hula
Ku`u Lei Anuenue	Tony Lindsey & Friends	Blue Darling	Hula
Na Wai Kaulana	Tony Lindsey & Friends	Blue Darling	Hula
Sleep Little Baby	Sonny Kamahele	Beautiful Hawai`i***	Aloha

All selections out-of-print unless indicated. (Click on the link to a title to locate a possible distribution source.)

*Remastered and rereleased on CD.

**Selections from the same recording session by the same artist remastered and rereleased on CD but which does not include the out-of-print selection featured on this program.

***Recent release available on CD.

This week’s program opens with music perfect for a Sunday morning - vintage recordings from the 1950s and 60s. Last week we took a look at Hawaiian music across three decades - the 50s, 60s, and 70s. This week we take another look forward - at what we have in store in the weeks, months, and years to come on Ho`olohe Hou - by taking a look back - at classic out-of-print Hawaiian music of the 80s and 90s. In “Why In The World Is This Out Of Print?? we take a quick look at three Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winning albums from not so long ago by Kapono Beamer, Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewett, and The Peter Moon Band. In a new segment - "Unlikely Heroes In Hawaiian Music" - we examine the life and work of steel guitar master Jerry Byrd. And then a look at another master as we revisit the unique slack key guitar stylings of Atta Isaacs. We challenge you with another “Three-Of-A-Kind? contest - this time one especially for slack key guitarists and other fans of slack key. And we celebrate the birthday of chanter, composer, author, lecturer, and consultant on all things Hawaiian, Kaupena Wong.

To listen to the show, click on the link to 50th State Radio or on the radio logo in the navigation pane.

Enjoy the show! We look forward to hearing your thoughts, comments, suggestions, and requests. Send an e-mail to bill@50thstateradio.com. 

SONG TITLE	ARTIST	LP/SOURCE	LABEL
Nani Waimea	The Invitations	R.S.V.P.*	Liberty/EMI Toshiba
E Naughty Naughty Mai Nei	Mel Peterson	Have Fun With Lucky	Mahalo
Haunani Mine	Lani Kai	Island Love Songs	Decca
Na Molokama	Sonny Kamahele	Say A Sweet Aloha	Sounds Of Hawaii
He Aloha No O Honolulu	Kalakaua Aylett	Pua Almeida Sings with Billy Hew Len and the Moana Surfriders	Tiki
Catching A Wave	Steve & Teresa	Catching A Wave	Steve Maii
Pua Hone	Gary Haleamau	Ke Aloha O Ka Makualani	Liko
Ua Nani Kaua`i	Kawai Cockett	Hula Hou	O Ka La
Kahukiaialo	Irmgard Aluli w/ Puamana	Have A Smile**	Puamana
Maile Swing	Cyrus Green	Evergreen Hawaiian	Lehua
North Shore Road	Kapono Beamer	Escape To Paradise	Volcano
Ka Wai Lehua A`ala Ka Honua	Frank Kawai Hewett	Makalapua `Oe	Prism
`Apa`apa Keste Aloha	The Peter Moon Band	Chinatown**	Kanikapila
Manu `Ula`ula	Brother Noland & Tony Conjugacion	Ku	Tiki Talk
Pua Ohai	Bill Kaiwa	Pure Hawaiian	Pua
Huapala Maka Onaona	Kaipo Hale	My Thoughts, My Music, My Time	Kaiponohea
Kapa`ahu	Ledward Kaapana and the New Ikona	Nahenahe	Kahale
Moku Kia Kahi	Ke`alohi	Ke`alohi	Ho`olokahi
Anytime, Any Day	Jerry Byrd	Master Of Touch And Tone*	Mid-land
Kewalo Chimes	Jerry Byrd	Byrd In Hawaii	Maple
Kaua`i Beauty	Jerry Byrd	Ukulele Stylings #1	Pa`ani
Hilo March	Jerry Byrd	Steel Guitar Hawaiian Style*	Lehua
Na Tiipaani O Na Tamalii	Alvin Kaleolani Isaacs and Sons	Alvin Kaleolani Isaacs and Sons	Lilonoe
Pa Ko Li	Eddie Kamae	This Is Eddie Kamae And The Sons of Hawaii	Hula
Keali`i’s Mele	Gabby Pahinui and Atta Isaacs	Two Slack Key Guitars*	Tradewinds
Pauoa Liko Ka Lehua	Melveen Leed	Melveen With The Best Of Slack Key*	Lehua
Mele Li`i	Atta Isaacs	Atta	Tradewinds
Tewetewe	Haunani Apoliona	Ki Ho`alu - Seattle Style	Northwest Folklife
Moloka`i Nui A Hina	Cyril Pahinui	6 and 12 String Guitar***	Dancing Cat
Ku`u Lei Pikake	Keao Costa	Whee-Ha!***	Mountain Apple
Alika Spoehr Hula	Marlene Sai with The Invitations	Sweet Someone	Makaha
I Whisper Gently To You	Noelani Mahoe	Eia Au `O Noelani***	Tradewinds
Chloe	Ry Cooder	Chicken Skin Music*	Warner Brothers
Hali`i Ka Moena	The Maile Serenaders	Slack Key & Steel Guitar - Volume II*	Hula

All selections out-of-print unless indicated. (Click on the link to a title to locate a possible distribution source.)

*Remastered and rereleased on CD.

**Selections from the same recording session by the same artist remastered and rereleased on CD but which does not include the out-of-print selection featured on this program.

***Recent release available on CD.

Welcome back to Ho`olohe Hou! We’re pleased and honored that you joined us for this program’s new beginning at 50th State Radio. Because 50th State Radio has revived this program, now we can continue to revive the Hawaiian music of a bygone era. Mahalo nui loa to my new `ohana at 50th State Radio. Here’s looking forward to many happy years together…

This week’s program opens with music from four living legends. And then for those who have never heard the program before, we get a feel for what Ho`olohe Hou is all about - and the many treasures in store in the coming weeks, months, and years from this program - by reliving the halcyon days of Hawaiian music with some out-of-print classics from the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. (Slack key guitarists will revel in the earliest recording of one of their heroes, Sonny Chillingworth.) We challenge you with the first of many “Three-Of-A-Kind? contests. We reintroduce a segment - “Why In The World Is This Out Of Print?? - by revisiting an out-of-print treasure from not so long ago from the Brothers Cazimero. We celebrate the birthdays of singer/pianist George Paoa, singer/composer Ihilani Miller, composer and slack key guitarist Alice Namakelua. And we remember a different side of the late, great Don Ho.

To listen to the show, click on the link to 50th State Radio above or on the radio logo in the navigation pane.

Enjoy the show! We look forward to hearing your thoughts, comments, suggestions, and requests. Send an e-mail to bill@50thstateradio.com. 

SONG TITLE	ARTIST	LP/SOURCE	LABEL
`Alika	Genoa Keawe	Party Hulas*	Hula
Inoino Mai nei	Bill Kaiwa	More From Bill Kaiwa	Sounds of Hawaii
A`oia	Nina Keali`iwahamana	Nina**	Music of Polynesia
He`eia	Mahi Beamer	Hawai`i’s Mahi Beamer*	Hula
Makee `Ailana	Sonny Chillingworth	Mele-Hula, Volume 1	Noelani
Keep Your Eyes On The Hands	Alfred Apaka	Sing Me A Song Of The Islands	Decca
Give Me The Islands Everytime	Sterling Mossman	Happy In Hawaii	Decca
Ho`okipa Paka	George Kainapau	Dreams Of Hawaii	Urania
Nani Waimea	Chick Floyd	Hula La	Liberty
Anytime, Any Day	Chick Floyd	Have Fun With Lucky	Mahalo
Poi Maker’s Tune	Myrtle K. Hilo	Will You Love Me (When My Carburetor Is Busted)	Makaha
Little Brown Gal	Poncie Ponce	Poncie Ponce Sings	Warner Brothers
Ahulili	Jesse Kalima	Holiday In Hawaii	Sounds Of Hawaii
Holo Wa`apa	Leinaala Haili	Hiki No	Makaha
E Ku`u Baby Hot Cha Cha	Karen Keawehawaii	Karen	First Break
Ka `Iwa	Kekua Fernandez	Straight From Hawaii To You	South Seas
He Ono	Charles K.L. Davis	Hawaii’s Yesterday	Hana Hou
Oceans Away	The Lopaka Trio	Oceans Away	Lehua
Kainoa	Marlene Sai	Song For Honolulu	Music of Polynesia
George Paoa	There Goes Kealoha	To Make You Love Me Kuuipo	Sounds Of Hawaii
George Paoa	Hula Heaven	George Paoa Trio Live!	Hula
Ihilani Miller	Nohelani	Voice Of The South Pacific	Tiki
Ihilani Miller	The Breeze and I	Voice Of The South Pacific	Tiki
Alice Namakelua	Waipi`o Paka`alana	Auntie Alice Namakelua	Hula
Brothers Cazimero	Hanohano No `O Hawai`i	Proud Family	Mountain Apple
Brothers Cazimero	Aloha Ko`olau	Proud Family	Mountain Apple
Don Ho	I Left My Heart In San Francisco	Waikiki Swings	Hula
Don Ho	I Will	You’re Gonna Hear From Me	Reprise
Don Ho	Tomorrow	Instant Happy	Reprise
Don Ho	Sleepy Summer Days	Singer Presents…Volume 2	Reprise
Don Ho	Remembering	Suck ‘Em Up	Reprise
Don Ho	All That’s Left Is The Lemon Tree	East Coast | West Coast	Reprise
Don Ho	Do I Love You?	Live At The Polynesian Palace	Reprise
Don Ho	My Way	The Don Ho TV Show	Reprise

All selections out-of-print unless indicated. (Click on the link to a title to locate a possible distribution source.)

*Remastered and rereleased on CD.

**Selections from the same recording session by the same artist remastered and rereleased on CD but which does not include the out-of-print selection featured on this program.

Ho`olohe Hou, the program featuring classic Hawaiian music from my vast archive of rare and out-of-print Hawaiian music, has found a new home - 50th State Radio!  The expanded 2-hour format will air every Sunday at 9:30am Pacific Time beginning August 19th.

BUT don't wait to tune into 50th State Radio!  The fun has already started over there with Uncle "It's Aloha Friday" Paul Natto and Haole Jack and a gang of others.  50th State Radio is streaming 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and like good old-fashioned radio, it's free.  Just click on the 50th State Radio logo to start enjoying.

Many thanks to my new `ohana at 50th State Radio for perpetuating Hawaiian music, culture, and memories and for recognizing the humble contribution of Ho`olohe Hou to that effort.

To the listeners, thank you for your patience, understanding, and support while Ho`olohe Hou struggled to find its legs - and its wings!  There is good fun, good memories, and good music waiting for you all on August 19th...

Me ka ha`aha`a,

Bill Wynne

The folks over at taropatch.net were having fun reminiscing about Auntie Bina Mossman's ode to California, "Kaleponi Hula."  But, regrettably, there are no versions of the song still in print on CD for us to enjoy.

So I threw together a short montage of four very old out-of print versions of the song - by Uncle Johnny Almeida, Charles Kaipo Miller, Alice Fredlund with the Halekulani Girls, and (saving my favorite for last) Sonny Chillingworth (with Nina Keali`iwahamana on backing vocals).

Enjoy!

The folks over at taropatch.net had been talking about this song and the fact that numerous Hawaiian songs utilize different melodies and chord structures but the same lyrics.  ("Hi`ilawe" and "Kaimana Hila" come to mind among the many songs that have at least two different melodies.)  It can be very confusing!

I was able to identify recordings of "Na Moku `Eha" employing as many as three different melodies and chord structures.  So I very quickly threw together a montage of different versions of "Na Moku `Eha" so that all three different versions could be heard side-by-side.

The first version is performed by Kalama's Quartet, Alfred Apaka, Pat Ka`anoi, and the Sunday Manoa.

The second version is performed by Braddah Smitty, the Peter Moon Band, and George Helm.

And the third version is performed by Benny Kalama.

I hope this helps... Enjoy!