Mele (Poetic Language, Songs)
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Up until 1820, when the missionaries first arrived, there was no written form of the Hawaiian language. All history, stories of creation, and family genealogy was passed on by means of mele oli (chanting) and mele hula (dance).
Each generation learned and memorized these stories, making the preservation of this knowledge a living art form. Today's Hawaiian music is the result of many influences: including original Hawaiian chants and mele, European folk songs, himeni (hymns) from the missionaries, the guitar from Mexican paniolo (cowboys), the `ukulele from the Portuguese, big band music, Tahitian and Samoan music, rock and roll, reggae (hence Jawaiian music), and hip hop. |
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| The Origin of Hula | Israel Kamakawiwo`ole | |||||||||
| There are three
stories about how hula came into being. The first is that Laka (the God of the Forrest) created hula and that Hi`iaka (Pele's youngest and favorite sister) and Hōpoe (Pele's best friend) were the first to perform it. Pele was the Goddess of Fire. The second story is that Hi`iaka created the hula in Ha`ena, Kaua`i. And the third is that Kapo`ulakina`u (another of Pele’s sisters) created the hula in Moloka`i. |
Iz is
unquestionably Hawai`i's most famous singer. His crystal clear voice and
childlike sense of humor have endeared him to all Hawaiians. And his
renditions of Over The Rainbow and What A Wonderful World have earned
him a name and respect around the world. Iz left dis life in June of 1997, but his music will live forever. Iz Wonderful World ♫ Somewhere (YouTube) (wmv Movie) ♫ White Sandy Beach (YouTube) (wmv Movie) |
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| Hula Kahiko | Slack-Key Guitar | |||||||||
 This traditional form of hula
began as chanting only, then traditional instruments were added:  including the
ipu
(gourd),
the pahu
(drum) initially used only
in sacred hula temples, the
ipuheke
(a gourd
with a head on top), the
kā`eke`eke
(split bamboo sticks), the pū`ili
(bamboo rattle), and the `ohe hano ihu (nose flute).♫ Ke`ali`i ipoipo Chant (mp3) ♫ No_Kahalawai Chant (mp3) |
Slack-Key is a translation of kī hō`alu (loosen the key).
Slack-key tunings start with a normally-tuned guitar
"slacking" one or more strings to produce a single chord, often G major. Kapono Beamer Keola Beamer ♫ Beamer Brothers (YouTube) (wmv Movie) Moon Kahele Martin Pahinui Ozzie Kotani Cyril Pahinui Daniel Ho ♫ Daniel Ho "Lia" (YouTube) (wmv Movie) |
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| Hula `Auna | Contemporary Hawaiian | |||||||||
 Modern hula
includes the addition of the `ukulele, guitar, steel guitar, and bass. |
Henry Kapono Jack Johnson John Cruz Makana Keahiwai |
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| Traditional Mele | Jawaiian | |||||||||
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Brothers Cazimero Hapa Ho`okena Keali'i Reichel Lono Makaha Sons ♫ Makaha Sons "Nohili" (YouTube) (wmv Movie) Sonny Ching |
Big Every Time ♫ BET "Don't Stop" (YouTube) (wmv Movie) Brother Noland Fiji Kapena O-Shen O-Shen on MySpace Opihi Pickers |
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| Hawaiian Falsetto | Jake Shimabukuro, `Ukulele Virtuoso | |||||||||
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Aunty Genoa Keawe Karen Kaleolani Keawehawai`i Raiatea Mokihana Maile Helm ♫ Raiatea Helm (YouTube) (wmv Movie) |
Official Site ♫ "Gently Weeps" (YouTube) (wmv Movie) ♫ "Dragon" (YouTube) (wmv Movie) ♫ "Time After Time" (YouTube) (wmv Movie) |
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| For more information and access to music: | ||||||||||
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A History of Slack Key |
Hawaiian Music Store History of Hawaiian Music Hula: Ancient and Modern Hula In Hawai`i IRH Streaming Music Iz at Mountain Apple Neos Productions |
Mele.Com Merry Monarch Festival Mountain Apple Music `Ukulele Links Wikipedia: Hula Wikipedia: Iz Wikipedia: Music of Hawai`i |
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