Hawaiian Concert Guide – Show 701 Hoʻi Ke Aloha – A Return to Love

Aloha mai kākou, and welcome to another beautiful journey through the sounds of Hawaiʻi. In this episode of the Hawaiian Concert Guide, we share a thoughtfully curated set of mele that flows from intimate contemporary recordings to treasured traditional expressions, with a playful stop in our Exotica segment along the way.

Featured in this show are performances by Christy Leinaʻala Lassiter, Gregory Juan, Kamalei Kawaa, Les Waikikings, and Hoʻokena. Together, these artists bring forward themes of aloha, hula, cherished places, treasured lei, beloved flowers, and the enduring beauty of Hawaiian poetry and song.

Episode Overview

We begin with two selections from Christy Leinaʻala Lassiter's Hoʻi Ke Aloha - EP, setting a warm and inviting tone for the episode. Her recordings offer a graceful balance of modern polish and deep Hawaiian feeling, drawing the listener into songs that feel both personal and rooted in place.

From there, Gregory Juan's album Kauluwehi carries us further into the heart of Hawaiian composition, with mele that suggest affection, honor, and poetic imagery. Kamalei Kawaa follows with songs from Mānaiakalani, including material inspired by native flora and enduring love.

Our Exotica segment offers a change in color and texture with Les Waikikings and their lighthearted, lounge-inflected hapa haole stylings. To close the show, Hoʻokena reminds us why their harmonies and emotional depth remain so beloved in Hawaiian music.

Playlist

Pālolo – Christy Leinaʻala Lassiter Album: Hoʻi Ke Aloha - EP Duration: 3:17
Ipo Hula – Christy Leinaʻala Lassiter Album: Hoʻi Ke Aloha - EP Duration: 3:09
He Mele no Ka Pāoʻo – Gregory Juan Album: Kauluwehi Duration: 2:42
He Lei no Hiʻilei – Gregory Juan Album: Kauluwehi Duration: 3:21
Pua ʻĀhihi – Kamalei Kawaa Album: Mānaiakalani Duration: 4:06
Forevermore – Kamalei Kawaa Album: Mānaiakalani Duration: 3:13
Exotica Segment Intro – pik00 Category: Promo Duration: 4:10
Pagan love song – Les Waikikings Album: Hapa haole with a twist Duration: 2:46
Aloha means I love you – Les Waikikings Album: Hapa haole with a twist Duration: 2:08
Nou e Keali`i – Ho'okena Album: Ho'okena 5 Duration: 3:30
Pua 'A'ali'i – Ho'okena Album: Ho'okena 5 Duration: 3:38

Track Notes Pālolo – Christy Leinaʻala Lassiter

This opening selection gently establishes the mood for the program. With a title that invokes Pālolo, the song feels grounded in a sense of place and memory. The performance carries a warm, personal quality, inviting the listener into the episode with tenderness and quiet strength.

Ipo Hula – Christy Leinaʻala Lassiter

A title like "Ipo Hula" evokes affection, beauty, and movement. This track continues the soft, graceful opening set and feels naturally connected to the language of dance and love. It is a fitting companion piece to "Pālolo," extending the emotional intimacy of the first portion of the show.

He Mele no Ka Pāoʻo – Gregory Juan

Gregory Juan brings a more traditional compositional sensibility, and this mele carries the weight of tribute and poetic intention. Songs beginning with "He Mele no…" often feel dedicated, purposeful, and rooted in the Hawaiian practice of honoring people, places, or cherished subjects through song.

He Lei no Hiʻilei – Gregory Juan

The imagery of the lei is central in Hawaiian poetic expression, symbolizing love, honor, remembrance, and adornment. This song suggests something lovingly woven together and offered with care, continuing the episode's recurring themes of affection and connection.

Pua ʻĀhihi – Kamalei Kawaa

With "pua" in the title, this mele turns our attention toward the floral world so often celebrated in Hawaiian song. Native plants and blossoms carry rich symbolic meaning, and this track adds a sense of natural beauty and delicacy to the program. Kamalei Kawaa's performance helps bridge traditional themes with a contemporary recording sensibility.

Forevermore – Kamalei Kawaa

This selection broadens the emotional palette of the episode with a title that speaks directly to lasting love and devotion. Following "Pua ʻĀhihi," it serves as a modern reflection on enduring affection while remaining at home in the overall flow of the show.

Exotica Segment Intro – pik00

Our Exotica segment intro signals a shift in atmosphere, opening the door to a more playful and stylized musical space. It gives the show a fun mid-episode change of pace while still keeping the island mood alive.

Pagan love song – Les Waikikings

Les Waikikings bring a retro lounge flavor to the episode with this exotica-inflected hapa haole performance. The sound recalls an earlier era of island-themed popular music, where romance and escapist imagery were part of the appeal. It offers a contrasting texture to the more deeply rooted Hawaiian selections elsewhere in the show.

Aloha means I love you – Les Waikikings

This charming and direct title captures the accessible, sentimental appeal of the hapa haole tradition. Placed after "Pagan love song," it keeps the Exotica segment light and nostalgic before the program returns to more emotionally grounded Hawaiian harmonies.

Nou e Keali`i – Ho'okena

Hoʻokena's unmistakable vocal blend brings immediate depth and resonance. This track feels reverent and heartfelt, and the group's delivery reminds listeners why they remain one of the most respected names in contemporary Hawaiian music. Their harmonies add emotional gravity as the episode moves toward its conclusion.

Pua 'A'ali'i – Ho'okena

Closing with a flower song is especially fitting for this episode. The ʻaʻaliʻi is often associated with resilience and steadfastness, making this an especially meaningful ending. Hoʻokena sends us out with beauty, strength, and a deep sense of Hawaiian identity.

Featured Artists

Christy Leinaʻala Lassiter
Gregory Juan
Kamalei Kawaa
Les Waikikings
Hoʻokena

Closing

Mahalo for joining us for Hawaiian Concert Guide Show 701. This episode is a musical lei woven from songs of love, flowers, hula, memory, and enduring aloha. From the contemporary voices of Christy Leinaʻala Lassiter, Gregory Juan, and Kamalei Kawaa, to the nostalgic charm of Les Waikikings, and the rich harmonies of Hoʻokena, this show celebrates the many colors of Hawaiian music.

E mālama pono, a hui hou, and thank you for supporting the music and artists of Hawaiʻi.

Hawaiian Concert Guide Show 701 - A Return To Love