“THE ORIGIN”

Micah Ganiron

(Micah Ganiron Music)

Micah Ganiron’s musical origins include ukulele lessons with Jake Shimabukuro and his brother Bruce, singing lessons from Cat Wong, and a CD he recorded as a member of Heart & Soul with Jody Kamisato and Tj Mayeshiro. This five-song collection of original compositions is his debut as a solo artist. Ganiron sings and accompanies himself on his Kanile‘a ukulele. Hoku Award-winning producer/recording artist Kapena DeLima is his studio orchestra and guest vocalist. They’re a solid team.

Afro-Caribbean rhythms give three songs a commercial Jawaiian vibe perfect for Hawaii’s self-styled “island music” radio stations. A fourth is romantic mainstream pop. The fifth, “Majesty,” opens with what is essentially a demonstration of Ganiron’s technique as a solo instrumentalist and then builds into a testament to Christian faith.

The first song on the CD, “Alone,” shows Ganiron’s affinity for opaque lyrics. Is it about a guy who dumped a girl and now regrets doing it? Or is he now sorry he hurt her but doesn’t regret doing it? Or did she leave him and he’s now picking up the pieces?

DeLima’s sister, Kalena Ku DeLima, is Ganiron’s singing partner on “Look It Up.” It is a bit jarring to hear a guy who sounds so young singing “when I drink too much, you’re my safe ride home,” but it’s OK. Ganiron looks young, but his website says he is 25, not 15!

Visit micahganiron.com.

“IT’S BEAUTIFUL”

Honu by the Sea

(Johnson Entertainment LLC)

It’s been five years since Johnson Enos introduced the original version of “Honu by the Sea,” a children’s musical that uses fanciful characters to tell a serious story about the importance of protecting reefs and ocean life. He’s been working on it ever since.

This CD single commemorating the show’s fifth anniversary features vocalist Deedee Magno Hall and an expansive orchestral arrangement Disney would be proud to claim as one of its own.

Visit honubythesea.com.