Music for the Hawaiian Islands Vol 3: Pi’ilani Maui

The third volume of Kuana Torres Kahele's six-part CD series celebrating the musical spirit of individual Hawaiian Islands continues the excellence of the ambitious project. The multiple award-winning Kahele is currently one of Hawaii's most popular performers, and this latest release pays tribute to Maui, Hawaii's second largest island, known as the ‘Isle of Roses’ and the ‘Valley Isle.’ Maui is considered by many to be the Pacific state's most beautiful island, and Kahele's original songs praise both its visual allure as well as its spiritual heritage and natural treasures. Two songs, ‘Mauinuikama’ and ‘Alaheakalā’, honour Haleakalā, Maui's volcanic mountain that is ‘bedecked in a lei of clouds,’ while ‘Ka’a Nā ‘Ale’ is a wistful love song with a quasi-Japanese melody. ‘Nā Wai Kaulana’ tells of the rejuvenation of the island's fragile ecosystem, the result of a recent local environmental victory that has revitalised four essential streams previously diverted to feed the water-hungry sugar cane industry. The closing chant praises the favoured son of Maui's 16th-century king Pi’ilani.

As with the other two volumes released so far in this series, this is pretty much a solo effort. Kahele plays ukulele, guitars and acoustic bass, accompanied only minimally by pianist Ata Damasco and steel guitarist Casey Olsen. Multi-tracking his own vocals, Kahele sings primarily in a perfect falsetto. The extensive liner notes and English translations of the Hawaiian lyrics provide an added insight into the creative process that lies behind this impressive series.