Island Mele: ‘Kalikoikawai,’ ‘Na Wai ‘Eha’

“KALIKOIKAWAI”

Robi Kahakalau & Brickwood Galuteria (Kuleana Breakfast Club)

Brickwood Galuteria made history in 1985 when he became the first person to win the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards for Most Promising Artist and Male Vocalist of the Year in the same year. More recently. Galuteria devoted his life to public service — he served in the State Senate for more than a decade — but with this CD-single he returns as a recording artist in impressive style.

Galuteria contributes a mele inoa, a name song written and recorded for a colleague’s grandson, with a title that translates as “a bud in the water” and was inspired by the sight of the mother-to-be five months pregnant and sitting in a taro lo‘i. Taro is at the foundation of Hawaiian culture, and the kaona or hidden meanings in this soothing lullaby come from that relationship.

Galuteria is the composer. Puakea Nogelmeier wrote the poetic Hawaiian lyrics that certainly express the thoughts of many parents for their children.

Multi-Hoku Award-winner Robi Kahakalau is Galuteria’s singing partner; David Kauahikaua, Kenneth Makuakane and Mike Seda join him as the musicians on the project. The Hawai‘i Youth Opera Chorus add the voices of keiki (children) to this song about a mother’s love for a child who is “embraced as a treasure to cherish forever.”

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“NA WAI ‘EHA”

Na Wai ‘Eha (Na Wai ‘Eha Music)

Keauhou brought an exciting burst of energy to the Hawaiian music scene with the release of the trio’s self-titled debut album in 2016. Three years later, Na Wai ‘Eha could easily have the same impact. The quartet — Kalanikini and Kahikina Juan, and Kamalei and Kamaehu Kawa‘a — excel singing contemporary Hawaiian songs in smooth falsetto harmonies. And, like the three members of Keauhou, they also write — about their heritage, about their families, and about the beauty of the area on the island of Maui that they call home

The name of the group, and the title song of the album, refers to that special place where the waters of Waiehu, Waihe’e, Waikapu and Wailuku give life to all that lives there. The lyrics create visions of great beauty and also share the quartet’s love for their place of birth.

The three remakes chosen to complete the album expand the themes of family linage, kuleana (responsibility), love of one’s home, and the role played by those who have inspired us to follow them. A liner notes booklet, beautifully illustrated, shares the brothers’ story with those who don’t know them, and provides lyrics and translations for everyone who is not fluent in Hawaiian.

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