Hawaiian Music:
more than a mele

Traditional instruments

In North Kohala, the art of making Polynesian rhythm instruments is still practiced at Vea Polynesian Gifts. Master craftsman Ika Vea taught himself to create drums and hula implements in the 1970s by placing an ad in the local paper offering to “repair broken hula implements.” Because he could not find someone to teach him, this gave him the perfect opportunity to deconstruct broken implements, learn how they were made in the process, then make the repair. Today, his family helps continue the tradition and welcomes patrons to their shop in Kapaau.

Hymns (himeni)

In 1820, the first Christian missionaries arrive in Kona, bringing with them new instruments and harmonies. Hawaii’s first Christian church, Mokuaikaua Church on Alii Drive in Historic Kailua Village still welcomes visitors to Sunday services every week. At 11 a.m., a traditional service features the Ohana Choir, followed by a History Talk at 12 noon. The historic sanctuary built from stone and coral is open 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. daily. Visitors are welcome.

Although the missionary movement was responsible for subverting some hula and other non-Christian cultural practices, it introduced a written language. This allowed for songs, stories and dances to be preserved for future generations in the Hawaiian language. The missionaries also brought new instruments to the islands: guitar, piano, organ, fiddle, flute, bass viola, and others.

“Hawaiian music is [also] truly associated with the sounds of the ukulele and with the strains of the steel guitar; along with the high-pitched vocals of the leo kiekie, the Hawaiian falsetto.”

Paniolo music

In the decade after the first missionaries arrived, the Spanish-Mexican cowboys came to Hawaii Island at the request of Kamehameha III. Hired to help manage an out-of-control wild cattle population, the paniolo (from “Espanol”) carried guitars with their boots and saddles, and another new style of music came to Hawaii. As their music evolved, skilled guitarists experiemented with different tunings of their strings. This grew into an exciting new genre called slack key (ki hoalu).

“The lilting sounds of the ki hoalu were and are still reminiscent and associated with the hearty and colorful paniolo, the Hawaiian cowboy,” says Danny Akaka, cultural historian for Mauna Lani Auberge Resorts Collection Hawaii for over 30 years. “Hawaiian music is [also] truly associated with the sounds of the ukulele and with the strains of the steel guitar; along with the high-pitched vocals of the leo kiekie, the Hawaiian falsetto.”

Ukulele

By the mid-19th Century, sugar cane plantations began establishing a new economy and way of life for Hawaii. Immigrant workers arrived in waves – from China, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Portugal – bringing their respective languages, cuisines, cultures, and music. No other ethnic instrument was as quickly embraced as the little “braguinha” guitar from Portugal.

It came in 1879 with a group of Portuguese craftsmen, who broke into lively music at the dock, delighting the crowd with their nimble fingers and rapid strumming. Hawaii fell in love with what they nicknamed ukulele (jumping flea, describing the players’ technique), and it was in instant demand. By 1888, four of the original five men had their own ukulele shops.

Ukulele music is easy to find on Hawaii Island. Shopping centers offer free lessons. Clubs meet in community centers. Friends and family jam to gether at farmers markets and backyard barbecues. Stores island wide carry a selection of instruments from beginning models to exquisite handcrafted ukulele made from local woods by island luthiers. One such shop is Hawaiian Ukulele and Guitars, with locations in Hilo, Kona, and on the Kohala Coast (Queens’ MarketPlace).

Kahilu Theatre

Kahilu Theatre, in upcountry Waimea, was created by sixth-generation Parker Ranch heir Richard Smart. The theatre hosts quality concerts and performances throughout the year, including some of Hawaii’s brightest stars.

Steel Guitar

Another Hawaii instrument with roots in the islands' plantation era is the steel guitar. Invented in 1885 by Joseph Kekuku who found a railroad spike as he walked along the tracks. He put that spike in his pocket, went home, and started experimenting with the spike – sliding it up and down the strings of his guitar. The sound inspired him to develop a new kind of stringed instrument.

Visitor destination

The visitor industry played a role in perpetuating and promoting Hawaiian music. Many years ago, at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Maryann Lim, a cook who loved to sing while she worked, was “discovered” by her managers. They asked if she would like to sing for guests. Maryann and husband Elmer, a Parker Ranch cowboy, had been backyard entertainers for years, and jumped at the opportunity. In the years to come, as their children grew up and joined in, the Lim Family became a benchmark of Hawaiian music. Learn more about this talented family here.

“The diversity of music here is wonderful. What visitors should know is that often-free community events are the best places to catch a selection of Hawaii’s favorite artists – Hawaiian music and otherwise,” says Tim Bostock, director, Tim Bostock Productions.

Looking forward

As Hawaii’s musicians travel more and more to teach and perform in Japan and beyond, new musical influences continue coming into play, bringing sounds of rock, reggae, rap, jazz, soul, pop, country and nostalgia to Hawaii Island.

One such example is the Kohala band “Kahulanui” (the big dance), formed by musician Lolena Naipo, whose grandfather was a member of the Royal Hawaiian Band. The nine-piece Hawaiian swing band inclues a full horn section and high energy that has won awards and entertained audiences across the country. A long way from ipu (gourd) and chant, Kahulanui nevertheless shares a spirited, vibrant essence of island aloha in an old-meets-new, uptempo way.

Waimea resident Charles Michael Brotman is owner of Palm Records and an award-winning producer, songwriter, and entertainer. He’s helping plant the seeds of success for future musicians via the Hawaii Songwriting Festival, a three-day learning and networking annual event that takes place in June.

Hawaiian music is here for anyone who comes to listen and takes the time to seek it out. And, whether it’s flavored with blues, jazz, swing, country, rock and roll, reggae, or something else, there is a musician playing somewhere almost every night of the week.