Kamakaiwa Kanaka'ole & Sean Na'auao

One of my former hula sisters introduced me to Sean Na'auao one day when we were taking a break from practicing at my house.  Sean Na'auao is famous from everything from local jams like "Fish and Poi" and also beautiful Hawaiian mele. 

From Sean Na'auao I stumbled upon Kaumakaiwa Kanaka'ole....or "Kaumaka-diva!"  I'm mainly obsessed with this mele performed by Kaumakaiwa Kanaka'ole: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sKs8CNNO2A&list=PLA4360012C66A3659&index=8&feature=plpp_video

The mele is "Mai 'italia Ko Lei Nani" and is about Queen Kapiolani's journey to Italy and the crown of jewels she got there. (Lyrics: http://hulanewyork.com/lyrics/MaiItalia-Mele.pdf)

This whole year has been really rough and I've been looking forward to Merrie Monarch week for a long time.  When I found out that Kaumakaiwa and his mother would be performing as part of 'Imiloa's Merrie Monarch Week I was SO excited.

When I got there I didn't realize you needed tickets (duh!) and was told they were all sold out :( But just as I was about to turn around someone came out and wanted to donate a ticket!  I was in and just like that my frown turned upside down :)

I was in for quite the treat.  First of all, Kaimaka-diva and his mother (Kekuhi) are HYSTERICAL.  Additionally Sean Na'auao was playing with them.  This was going to be quite the kanikapila (Hawaiian jam session)!

SEAN NA'AUAO (2nd From L), KAUMAKAIWA (3rd from L), KEKUHI & MUSICIANS

 Then Sean Na'auao performed "Ke'eha Ke Aloha" AND Kaumakaiwa danced.  He is an 'olapa (dancer) with Hālau O Kekuhi which is that hālau that also performed at Merrie Monarch's Ho'ike night.

KAUMAKAIWA DANCES HULA TO SEAN'S "KA'EHA KE ALOHA"

I have a video of the hula, but I can't figure out how to post it.  I'll keep working on it!

Some of my favorites frrom Sean Na'auao...

Ka Pilina: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVkogAQqXMU&feature=BFa&list=PLA4360012C66A3659
Lyrics at http://www.huapala.org/Ka/Ka_Pilina.html
Thanks to Youtube, I have seen this mele danced as a beautiful hula and is a nice hula for weddings since it's about love (and birds).

Ke Ipo Lei Manu: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7HtfvriiN8&feature=BFa&list=PLA4360012C66A3659
Lyrics at http://www.huapala.org/Ka/Ka_Ipo_Lei_Manu.html
This mele was written by Queen Kapiolani for King David Kalākaua.  Kalākaua was very sick and journeyed to California in the hopes of getting better.  This is a love song written to her love.  Unfortunately, Kalākaua died and he never got to hear this mele :(