Island Mele: Cyril Pahinui visits a waterfall; Mark Saito, love

“Hi‘ilawe”

Cyril Pahinui

(Pahinui Productions, no serial number)

“Hi‘ilawe,” the namesake song of the landmark waterfall in Waipio Valley on the Big Island, has been associated with the family of Gabby Pahinui almost from the time he first recorded it in 1946. In the years following his death in 1980, the link between “Hi‘ilawe” and the Pahinui ohana has been strengthened by his sons, Cyril and Bla. It is appropriate then that “Hi‘ilawe” is the title of this compilation of concert recordings made during four performances in the early 1990s. The song is heard twice — once as an instrumental, once with the familiar lyrics — along with other Hawaiian standards. Another reason for the title is revealed in the liner notes.

Annotators Chelle Pahinui and Dwight Tokunaga write that the late kumu hula George Na‘ope said that before you sing about a place you should experience it. Cyril Pahinui took Na‘ope’s instructions to heart. The liner notes provide the history of Waipio Valley and describe Pahinui’s journey to the base of the waterfall.

Academics may choose to compare each element with Pahinui’s other recordings of these standards, but most listeners will be content to enjoy the music and to thank George Winston and Dancing Cat Records for being there to record it.

Visit cyrilpahinui.com.

“Live What You Love”

Mark Saito

(Mark Saito Music, no serial number)

Big Island resident Mark Saito teams up with Hawaii record industry veteran Ryan Hiraoka for his professionally packaged debut. Afro-Caribbean rhythms provide the energy from start to finish, but Saito sings straight rather than affecting a Jamaican accent — good call, as that would distract from the natural appeal of his delivery.

Saito and Hiraoka share credit as composers. Saito wrote five songs, Hiraoka four; they worked together on the other. Both guys have a knack for love songs.

“My Sunshine,” written by Saito, captures the feelings of the lucky ones who have found the love of their life. “Endlessly,” also by Saito, is a gentle anthem for lucky folks on the verge of marriage. Hiraoka shows his romantic side with “Little Things,” a celebration of the thoughtful gestures that make a relationship the love of a lifetime. It deserves prominent play on Hawaii’s “island music” stations.

“Faith,” another of Hiraoka’s contributions, describes a series of situations that almost make Job sound lucky. The message ultimately is about trusting in God, but what a downer!

Fortunately, “Faith” isn’t the final song on the CD. “Favorite Adventure” closes the album with another cheerful love song.

Visit marksaitomusic.com.