Hawai`i's Songbird

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

Direct download: Lena_Machado_mini_2.jpg
Category:Radio -- posted at: 2:18pm EDT

Ray Kinney
Category:Radio -- posted at: 11:47pm EDT