Friday, March 12, 2010
Po'alima, Malaki 12, 2010
Hawaiian Music
No matter where you stay in Hawaii, there's a certain atmosphere about the islands that makes you feel like you're so far from all of your cares in the world. A good part of that atmosphere comes from the sounds and music of Hawaii, which is why we enjoy the following CDs every now and then to recall those happy times.
Kohala
This mostly instrumental collection of Hawaiian music is surely a must have. Not recommended listening for driving, it will relax and soothe you like ... well being in Hawaii itself. Okay, almost that close. This CD is espeicially good to listen to you when your going through your own Hawaii scrapbooks and photos or sitting out on your balcony or patio wishing your beach chair was pointing out towards the Pacific Ocean.
Kohala has quite a collection of CDs to choose from, although we have yet to try out any of their other work.
Just Relax Maui
Not currently available at Amazon, you might be able to find this CD at Target. Yes, Target. That's where we picked up our copy last year, and they might still have them (right near the greeting cards). All kidding aside, we saw this when shopping one day, figured it was only $10 and worth a shot, and it really was a pleasant surprise.
It may not have that 100% made-in-Hawaii feel, but it's a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of everyday life when you're in need of a vacation.
Namahana
We received this one as a gift, and it's what really got us into contemporary Hawaiian music. There's a good range of up-tempo and relaxing songs on this CD, much of what you hear when walking through shops and hotel lobbies, or dining out at your favorite restaurant on your island of choice.
Hapa is one of the larger names in contemporary Hawaiian music and has helped many mainlanders like us keep that Aloha spirit alive for the 50 weeks a year we're not in Hawaii.
Maui
While we're not experienced enough in our Hawaiian travels to be considered experts on the culture and subtle differences that each of the Hawaiian islands provides, "Maui" certainly captures some of that Valley Isle feel. From our different visits to Oahu, Kauai and Maui, there does seem to have a different feel to each. Waikiki (in Oahu) felt really busy and happening, almost like a major downtown city on the mainland. Kauai felt like you were floating far out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, and no one was to be bothered.
Maui, by comparison, was just pure heaven. The sights, the sounds, the people; it was all so amazing. This CD does a pretty good job of capturing parts of that Maui flavor, and if you've been to Maui as well as the other islands, you can surely appreciate the difference.