Na Mele O Hawai'i Archives

"On August 12, 1898, everything ceased. Washington Place was shuttered, as was every other Hawaiian home. No Hawaiian stirred from his own house nor his own thoughts, while the annexationists celebrated. Henry Berger played "Hawaii Ponoi" for the last time, as a free nation's anthem." - Helena G. Allen, "The Betrayal of Liliuokalani," p. 365

What's being described here? Nothing less than the end of Hawai'i as a sovereign nation. Listen in as we play the songs of protest and allegiance that Hawaiians of the day, including Hawaii's last monarch, penned and sang in tribute to their love of the land, "aloha 'aina." Learn why "Kaulana Na Pua" was originally called "The Stone Eating Song," and reflect on why there remains to this day a strong sovereignty movement in Hawai'i. Oni pa'a.

Ever been to Hawai'i and been embraced by aloha, but felt a strong sense of unrest or anger? Today's show hopes to bring some of the reasons for that anger to light musically. We'll present songs of protest, some explicit, some couched in kaona, in which frustration and anger at the disenfranchisement of the Hawaiian from his or her own land and culture is expressed. Listen to Hapa, The Brothers Cazimero, Dennis Pavao and others express their love of the land, their anger at its use and misuse, and their desire for unity amongst Hawaiians in the struggle to retain their land, culture, and identity. Ua mau ke ea o ka aina. Oni pa'a.

We pick up our review of hapa-haole music where we left off last week, with the risque tune, "Princess Pupule," sung by Auntie Naughty Abbie. Then we are carried away to the islands by the long-running radio show, "Hawai'i Calls." You can hear the waves rolling right up to the microphone! The show finished out with a number of entertainers that were featured on Hawai'i Calls across the years, including Clara Inter (Hilo Hatiie), Benny Kalama and Alfred Apaka.

Today's "class" begins with Sonny Cunha, the father of hapa-haole music, and includes the very first hapa-haole song, played on an original Edison Amberola. We move on to one of the most popular hapa-haole songs (and winner of the 10th Annual Academy Award for Best Song -- do you know what song it is? Listen in to find out!) and share cuts played by the legends of early hapa-haole music, like Tau Moe, Andy Iona, and John K. Almeida. But we've only gotten halfway. Tune in next week for Part 2 (and the rest of "The Princess's" song...) -- Hawai'i will be "Call"ing.