Hawaiian Concert Guide Show 709 - Hawai'i Forever

This week's playlist continues the progression from modern Hawaiian music through cultural tradition, classic exotica, and Hollywood's enduring Hawaiian legacy. The selections also feature several of the biggest winners and nominees from the 2026 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards, making this an excellent showcase of today's Hawaiian music scene alongside historic recordings.

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1. Oli Pule

Artist: Baba Tavares
Album: Hanohano Hōnaunau (2025)
Length: 1:07

About the Artist

Joshua "Baba" Tavares is one of Hawaiʻi's brightest emerging Hawaiian-language composers. His debut EP Hanohano Hōnaunau earned:

• 2026 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Hawaiian EP of the Year
• Baba Tavares named Most Promising Artist of the Year.

Song Background

"Oli Pule" is not intended as entertainment.

It is an oli—a traditional Hawaiian chant—and specifically a prayer chant that opens the entire EP.

According to Baba Tavares, the chant:

• is rooted in scripture
• encourages listeners to be wiwoʻole (courageous)
• reminds us to lead with aloha
• asks for naʻauao (wisdom)

The chant establishes the spiritual foundation before beginning the musical journey through South Kona.

Musical Notes

Unlike western songs:

• no verse/chorus format
• rhythmic spoken chant
• emphasizes pronunciation and mana (spiritual power)
• accompanied only lightly

It immediately transports listeners into Hawaiian cultural practice.

Suggested On-Air Introduction

"We're opening today's program in the traditional Hawaiian way—with prayer. Baba Tavares begins his award-winning EP not with a song, but with an oli, asking for courage, wisdom, and aloha before the musical journey begins."

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2. Nāpoʻopoʻo

Artist: Baba Tavares
Length: 2:02

Background

Nāpoʻopoʻo is a historic village on the western coast of Hawaiʻi Island in South Kona.

The area is famous for:

• Kealakekua Bay
• Captain James Cook Monument
• ancient Hawaiian settlements
• fishing traditions
• lava coastline

The EP travels geographically through Baba's homeland, and "Nāpoʻopoʻo" is the first destination after the opening prayer.

Musical Style

Traditional Hawaiian

Features:

• gentle acoustic accompaniment
• Hawaiian language lyrics
• relaxed storytelling
• strong sense of place

The song feels like walking quietly along Kona's shoreline in the early morning.

Interesting Fact

The ipu percussion on this track is performed by Baba's mother, Kuʻuipo Tavares, making the recording a true family collaboration.

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3. Kula Country Morning

Artist: Kalaʻe Camarillo
Album: Drifting On Island Time
Length: 3:55

About the Artist

Kalaʻe Camarillo

• born and raised in Kīhei, Maui
• third-generation musician
• music educator
• multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winner
• Kanikapila Kumu at Kamehameha Schools

His newest album won:

2026 Contemporary Album of the Year.

About Kula

Kula sits high on the slopes of Haleakalā.

Known for:

• cool mornings
• farms
• ranches
• protea flowers
• coffee
• panoramic views

The song paints an audio picture of waking up in Upcountry Maui.

Musical Feel

Country influence mixed with:

• Hawaiian acoustic guitar
• contemporary island pop
• relaxed vocal harmonies

Rather than beach music, this celebrates Maui's agricultural heart.

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4. When I Miss You

Artist: Kalaʻe Camarillo
Length: 3:33

Theme

A heartfelt contemporary island love song.

Unlike many traditional Hawaiian standards, this reflects today's local songwriting:

• family
• distance
• relationships
• longing

The production blends Nashville-style country influences with Hawaiian warmth.

Musical Characteristics

• acoustic guitars
• polished harmonies
• modern country rhythm
• island production

It demonstrates how Hawaiian music continues to evolve while retaining its emotional sincerity.

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5. Hawaiʻi Forever (Bonus Track)

Artist: Ei Nei
Album: Ei Nei, Look At Us
Length: 2:56

Awards

"Hawaiʻi Forever" received the 2026 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Single of the Year award, while the album Ei Nei, Look At Us won Album of the Year and Island Music Album of the Year. The group Ei Nei also earned Group of the Year and Favorite Entertainer of the Year honors.

Song Theme

This is an uplifting anthem celebrating:

• Hawaiian identity
• cultural pride
• unity
• love for the islands

Although labeled as a bonus track, it became one of the year's biggest Hawaiian songs.

Host Talking Point

This may become one of the defining Hawaiian songs of the decade.

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6. Yappa Sukiyanen (Bonus Track)

Background

The title is Japanese.

"Yappa Sukiyanen"

roughly means:

"I really do love you."

or

"After all...I love you."

The inclusion reflects Hawaiʻi's deep Japanese cultural heritage.

Many local families trace ancestry to Japanese immigrants who arrived during the plantation era.

The song serves as a musical bridge between Hawaiian and Japanese cultures.

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7. Soshu Night Serenade

Artist: Martin Denny
Album: Exotica II
Length: 2:11

About Martin Denny

Martin Denny virtually created the Exotica genre.

His music mixed:

• jazz
• Asian influences
• Polynesian percussion
• bird calls
• vibraphone
• lounge music

He became synonymous with the romantic image of tropical paradise during the 1950s.

About the Song

"Soshu" references Japan's historic Sōshū Province.

The piece evokes:

• moonlit evenings
• Japanese gardens
• gentle romance

Its delicate orchestration contrasts nicely with the more tropical selections.

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8. Island of Dreams

Artist: Martin Denny
Length: 2:56

Theme

Classic Exotica.

Rather than depicting an actual Hawaiian place, the song creates an imagined tropical paradise.

Typical instrumentation includes:

• vibraphone
• bamboo percussion
• exotic bird sounds
• lush orchestration

The recording captures mid-century America's fascination with the Pacific.

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9. Can't Help Falling in Love

Artist: Elvis Presley
Album: Blue Hawaii (1961)
Length: 3:01

Historical Importance

Perhaps Elvis' most beloved ballad.

Originally written for:

Blue Hawaii (1961)

The melody is adapted from the French love song:

"Plaisir d'Amour."

Today it remains:

• one of the most performed wedding songs
• one of Elvis' signature recordings
• among the most recognizable love songs ever recorded

Hawaiian Connection

Although not originally Hawaiian in composition, the song became permanently associated with Hawaiʻi through the movie.

Millions around the world first imagined Hawaiʻi through this soundtrack.

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10. Rock-A-Hula Baby

Artist: Elvis Presley
Length: 2:00

About the Song

One of the most energetic numbers from Blue Hawaii.

It combines:

• early rock-and-roll
• hula references
• Hollywood fun

The song reflects how the early 1960s merged American pop culture with idealized images of Hawaiʻi.

Fun Fact

The Blue Hawaii soundtrack spent 20 consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard album chart and became one of Elvis Presley's best-selling albums, helping shape global perceptions of Hawaiʻi for an entire generation.