Hawaiian Concert Guide – Episode 692

Release Date: October 17, 2025 Host: Piko Title: Whale Hoohoo

Episode Summary

In this episode of the Hawaiian Concert Guide, Piko takes listeners on a musical journey through contemporary Hawaiian mele, slack-key gems, and lush Exotica instrumentals. From heartfelt vocal collaborations to instrumental storytelling and a powerful closing chorus of "Hawaiʻi Aloha," Episode 692 celebrates how music keeps the spirit of the islands alive across oceans.

Track List & Song Notes

"Hoʻomālamalama" (feat. Stephen Inglis) – Kahiau Lam Ho – 4:10 Album: Hoʻomālamalama · Hawaiian

The title Hoʻomālamalama can be translated as "to enlighten" or "to bring light." In this track, Kahiau Lam Ho teams up with acclaimed musician Stephen Inglis to offer a song about healing, clarity, and renewal. Gentle, thoughtful vocals and a reflective arrangement give the piece a meditative quality, as if lifting the listener out of darkness and into understanding.
"The One They Call Hawaiʻi" – Kahiau Lam Ho – 5:40 Album: Hoʻomālamalama · Hawaiian

This song personifies Hawaiʻi as a beloved figure—someone the singer speaks of with reverence and affection. The lyrics and feel of the track evoke pride in the land and its people, touching on themes of identity, stewardship, and belonging. It plays like a love song to the islands themselves, inviting listeners to reflect on what "Hawaiʻi" means to them personally.
"Kuʻu Pili Oha" – Kawika Kahiapo – 3:44 Album: Kuʻu Manaʻo · Hawaiian

The phrase Kuʻu Pili Oha can be understood as "my cherished closeness" or "beloved companion." Kawika Kahiapo, known for his soulful slack-key guitar and warm vocals, offers a gentle, intimate mele that feels like a conversation between close hearts. It's the kind of song that could be sung quietly on a porch at sunset, filled with gratitude for the relationships that sustain us.
"One Heart One Voice" – Kawika Kahiapo – 4:13 Album: Kuʻu Manaʻo · Hawaiian

"One Heart One Voice" leans into themes of unity and shared purpose. Kahiapo's songwriting often carries messages of peace and responsibility, and this track is a call for people to stand together with aloha. It's an uplifting reminder that when we speak and act as one, even big challenges feel more manageable.
"ʻAnapau" – Jerome Koko & Daniel Ho – 2:39 Album: Makaha Sons Memoirs · Hawaiian

From a project reflecting on the legacy of the Makaha Sons, "ʻAnapau" is a lively, joyful piece that carries the spirit of classic Hawaiian group vocals into a new setting. Jerome Koko's connection to the original Makaha Sons material, paired with Daniel Ho's arranging and production touch, makes this track feel both nostalgic and freshly polished. It's easy to picture friends singing along at a backyard gathering.
"Poliahu" – Jerome Koko & Daniel Ho – 5:10 Album: Makaha Sons Memoirs · Hawaiian

"Poliahu" is a tribute to the snow goddess of Mauna Kea. The song's mood leans more contemplative and reverent, fitting for a mele about a powerful and enigmatic figure in Hawaiian tradition. Listeners can feel the chill and majesty of the mountain in the way the melody unfolds—calm, spacious, and full of respect.
"Manila" – The Waitiki 7 – 7:05 Album: Adventures in Paradise · Exotica

The Waitiki 7 are known for reviving and expanding the classic Exotica sound, and "Manila" is a great example of their globe-trotting imagination. This instrumental piece conjures images of harbors, markets, and far-away ports of call. Rich textures and layered rhythms give it a cinematic feel that pairs perfectly with daydreams of travel.
"Craving" – The Waitiki 7 – 5:07 Album: Adventures in Paradise · Exotica

"Craving" leans into mood and atmosphere: it feels like a soundtrack for late-night conversations under tiki lights. The tune balances playful melodic lines with a slightly mysterious undercurrent, capturing that feeling of restless longing the title suggests. It's a reminder that Exotica can be both fun and emotionally evocative.
"I Can See Arkansas" – Waipuna – 4:52 Album: Manaʻo Pili · Hawaiian

Waipuna blend Hawaiian roots with storytelling influences that reach beyond the islands. "I Can See Arkansas" plays with the idea of geographical distance and emotional closeness—how memories and imagination can make a faraway place feel just within sight. It's a beautiful example of how Hawaiian artists connect local sensibilities with wider world experiences.
"Owl's Lullaby" – Waipuna – 3:15 Album: Manaʻo Pili · Hawaiian

As the title suggests, "Owl's Lullaby" has a gentle, comforting quality. In Hawaiian culture, the pueo (owl) can be a protector and guardian, and this song carries that sense of watchful care. It's the kind of mele you could easily imagine as a bedtime favorite, soothing the end of the day with calm and grace.

Mahalo for Listening

Mahalo nui for joining Piko on this musical journey! Please support the featured artists by seeking out their albums, attending live shows when you can, and sharing their music with friends and family. Your listening helps keep Hawaiian music, language, and stories thriving for future generations.

For past episodes, artist links, and more information, visit HawaiianConcertGuide.com.