Hawaiian Concert Guide – Episode 693

Release Date: November 28, 2025

Hosts: Piko & Terry

Title: Hauʻoli Lā Hoʻomaikaʻi (Happy Thanksgiving)

Episode Summary

In this Thanksgiving edition of the Hawaiian Concert Guide, Piko and Terry open Season 20 with a heartfelt celebration of gratitude, ʻohana, and the spirit of aloha. Filled with contemporary Hawaiian music, slack-key warmth, acoustic duets, and even a touch of vintage Exotica, Episode 693 "Hauʻoli Lā Hoʻomaikaʻi" offers listeners a musical table of offerings for the holiday season.

This episode is proudly sponsored by Dreamy Voyages Travel — Adventure Awaits! Dreamy Voyages helps travelers explore Hawaiʻi, the South Pacific, Asia, Europe, and destinations around the world through expertly planned cruise and land adventures.

From songs rooted in the land to mele celebrating love, heritage, and Hawaiian identity, this episode reflects how gratitude flows through Hawaiian music and culture.

Track List & Song Notes

"Puʻuanahulu" – Kahiau Lam Ho – 3:34 Album: Hoʻomālamalama · Hawaiian
"Puʻuanahulu" pays tribute to the storied region of Puʻuanahulu on Hawaiʻi Island. Kahiau Lam Ho's gentle, contemporary style shines through in a piece that blends gratitude, reflection, and community pride. Clear vocals and clean guitar lines give the song an uplifting softness, like a sunrise over the lava fields.
"Waiulu" – Kahiau Lam Ho – 4:25 Album: Hoʻomālamalama · Hawaiian
"Waiulu" is a tender love song that expresses devotion, loyalty, and emotional closeness. Lam Ho's smooth, heartfelt voice carries the poetic imagery of Hawaiian lyricism, turning the track into an intimate musical conversation. It's a modern ballad with timeless cultural roots.
"Huakaʻi Hele" – Kawika Kahiapo – 4:19 Album: Kuʻu Manaʻo · Hawaiian
"Huakaʻi Hele" evokes the idea of traveling through life guided by purpose, memory, and connection to the ʻāina. Kawika Kahiapo's warm slack-key guitar and soulful baritone create a meditative soundscape, inviting listeners into a quiet journey across mountains, shorelines, and the inner landscape of reflection.
"ʻĀina Momona" – Kawika Kahiapo – 4:07 Album: Kuʻu Manaʻo · Hawaiian
Meaning "the fertile land," "ʻĀina Momona" honors the abundance and generosity of Hawaiʻi. Kahiapo explores themes of stewardship, responsibility, and gratitude for the natural world. His soothing vocals and thoughtful phrasing turn the song into a gentle reminder of our kuleana to care for the land that sustains us.
"Beautiful Kahana" – Jerome Koko & Daniel Ho – 3:58 Album: Makaha Sons Memoirs · Hawaiian
A nostalgic tribute to the beloved windward community of Kahana, this track blends Jerome Koko's classic Makaha Sons vocal warmth with Daniel Ho's clean acoustic arrangements. The song feels like a quiet breeze off the Koʻolau mountains—peaceful, familiar, and full of longing for a cherished place.
"Kaleleonālani" – Jerome Koko & Daniel Ho – 2:21 Album: Makaha Sons Memoirs · Hawaiian
"Kaleleonālani" is a graceful instrumental paying homage to Princess Victoria Kamāmalu. Elegant fingerstyle guitar and soft harmonics create a reverent, contemplative mood. The composition carries the unmistakable hallmark of Daniel Ho's artistry—clean, precise, and emotionally resonant.
"Left Arm of Buddha" – The Waitiki 7 – 4:43 Album: Adventures in Paradise · Exotica
Steeped in the traditions of mid-century Exotica, "Left Arm of Buddha" brings playful rhythms, tropical percussion, and shimmering vibraphone textures. The Waitiki 7 revive a genre rooted in imagination and atmosphere, capturing the fantasy and adventure of old Hawaiʻi tiki lounges with modern musicianship.
"Her Majesty's Pearl" – The Waitiki 7 – 3:03 Album: Adventures in Paradise · Exotica
A bright and cinematic follow-up to their earlier track, "Her Majesty's Pearl" sparkles with melodic charm and rhythmic storytelling. The piece feels like the soundtrack to a vintage island-adventure film—whimsical, colorful, and filled with character.
"Mālama Mau Hawaiʻi" – Waipuna – 4:56 Album: Manaʻo Pili · Hawaiian
Powerful, proud, and deeply rooted in cultural identity, "Mālama Mau Hawaiʻi" is a call to protect and cherish the heritage of Hawaiʻi. Waipuna's signature harmonies carry strength and conviction, blending traditional themes with modern arrangements to create an anthem of unity and responsibility.
"Papa Sia" – Waipuna – 2:43 Album: Manaʻo Pili · Hawaiian
"Papa Sia" brings joyful energy with rhythmic guitar lines and spirited performance. The track celebrates movement, dance, and the cheerful side of Hawaiian music, offering a lively closing to this Thanksgiving playlist.