Hawaiian Concert Guide – Show #696

Show #696 weaves together contemporary Hawaiian mele, masterful slack key guitar, a reverent royal prayer, and a playful detour into retro exotica—then returns home with modern harmonies and a closing affirmation of identity.

Detailed Playlist

"Kaulana ʻo Maui" — Kamalei Kawaa (1:20)
Album: Mānaiakalani

A short, vivid mele that celebrates the renown of Maui. Kamalei Kawaa opens the episode with a strong sense of place and cultural grounding, offering an inviting entry point into the show's island-centered storytelling. Despite its brief runtime, the track sets an intentional tone: rooted, respectful, and warmly personal.
"Hawaiian Rainbow" — Kahiau Lam Ho (2:50)
Album: Hoʻomālamalama

Bright and uplifting, this track carries a message of hope and renewal. Kahiau Lam Ho's contemporary approach pairs accessible melody with a distinctly Hawaiian sensibility, making it a feel-good moment that still honors cultural continuity. The song's optimism complements the episode's opening theme of place and belonging.
"Kona Moon" — Kahiau Lam Ho (2:37)
Album: Hoʻomālamalama

A mellow, romantic island-night reflection inspired by the Kona coast. The pacing and phrasing invite listeners into a quieter emotional space—warm, intimate, and unhurried. Placed after "Hawaiian Rainbow," it shifts the mood from celebratory brightness to a more contemplative evening glow.
"East Side Slack Key" — Kawika Kahiapo (4:01)
Album: Kuʻu Manaʻo

A standout instrumental showcasing the depth of kī hō'alu (slack key guitar). Kawika Kahiapo's touch is both precise and expressive, balancing rhythmic drive with open, resonant harmony. This track provides a spacious listening moment—ideal for appreciating the nuance and tradition embedded in Hawaiian guitar craft.
"Nani Wale Kualoa" — Kawika Kahiapo (3:53)
Album: Kuʻu Manaʻo

A musical love letter to Kualoa—its beauty, presence, and sense of mana. The melody and phrasing feel place-centered and reverent, continuing the episode's theme of honoring specific landscapes through sound. The pairing with "East Side Slack Key" creates a strong mid-show slack key feature block.
"Queen's Prayer" — Jerome Koko, Daniel Ho & Tia Carrere (3:28)
Album: Makaha Sons Memoirs

A deeply reverent rendition of Queen Liliʻuokalani's prayer, offered with restraint and respect. The arrangement emphasizes reflection and spiritual gravity rather than ornamentation, allowing the message and history to remain central. This performance serves as a meaningful cultural anchor in the episode—devotional, dignified, and moving.
"Ned's Redemption" — The Waitiki 7 (1:17)
Album: Adventures In Paradise

A brief, cinematic exotica vignette—playful and atmosphere-driven. Positioned after "Queen's Prayer," it functions as a palate cleanser: a quick tonal pivot that keeps the episode dynamic while still staying within an island-adjacent musical universe.
"Sacha-Cha" — The Waitiki 7 (2:35)
Album: Adventures In Paradise

Upbeat and retro, this track leans into classic lounge/exotica energy with rhythmic flair. It's a lighthearted interlude that adds variety and fun—an intentional shift that refreshes the ear before the program returns to contemporary Hawaiian songwriting and harmony.
"Home" — Waipuna (4:22)
Album: Manaʻo Pili

A heartfelt modern Hawaiian composition centered on belonging and emotional roots. Waipuna's polished harmonies and contemporary production create a sense of welcome and familiarity—bringing the episode back from the playful exotica detour into a grounded, lyric-forward Hawaiian space.
"E Ku Kanaka" — Hoʻokena (4:57)
Album: Hoʻokena 5

A powerful closing statement affirming identity, pride, and perseverance. Hoʻokena's folk-rooted approach and steady drive make this a resonant finale—leaving listeners with a strong sense of purpose and cultural continuity. A fitting conclusion to an episode built around place, heritage, and the living voice of Hawaiian music today.

Episode Summary

Show #696 moves from place-based mele and contemporary Hawaiian songwriting into a featured slack key set, pauses for a reverent royal prayer, and then takes a playful side-trip through exotica—before returning "Home" and closing with a bold affirmation in "E Ku Kanaka." A complete listen that reflects both the roots and the range of Hawaiian and island-influenced music.