We recently received this request at Territorial Airwaves:
["Aloha e Harry B.!
First, I want to thank you for the wonderful information on John Pi`ilani Watkins. It will help tremendously in our preparations for the Hula O Na Keiki Competition in November 2009. John Pi`ilani Watkins was an amazing man, and we feel so fortunate to hula to many of his wonderful compositions!
Harry B., do you have any information on the mele, "Ka`ahumanu," composed and recorded by Auntie Alice Namakelua? She recorded the mele on her hula records 552 self-titled recording in 1974. Joy and I think it'll be a great mele for our keiki to learn. We're praying that the melody/recording is as beautiful as the poetry. Any kokua would be greatly appreciated!
Me ke aloha nui,
`Iliahi and Haunani Paredes
Halau Kekuaokala`au`ala`iliahi
Wailuku, Maui, Hawai`i"]
Here is your requested mele, `Iliahi. Best of luck teaching this chant-like mele to your keiki.
Alice Ku`uleialohapoina`ole Kanakaoluna Kaluhiokalani Namakelua was born on August 12, 1892 in Honoka`a, Hawaii, and she passed away in April of 1987 in Honolulu, Hawaii, at the age of 94.
Alice Namakelua composed "Ka`ahumanu" on September 14, 1973.
I was fortunate enough to receive a weekly moment of training from Auntie Alice in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Each Wednesday, when Territorial Airwaves was broadcast live on 1420 AM, KCCN, Station Aloha, Auntie Alice would telephone the studio at some point during the show, and gently and lovingly scold me on the correct pronunciation of a particular Hawaiian word.
I was told at the time that for her to take the time each week to call me meant that she truly cared about the quality of our work and the mission we had embarked upon.
She was a wonderfully dedicated woman.
("Beautiful is Hana in my sight.
Land cool and lush.
You are a land filled with love.
A place I'll
never forget.
There stands Ka`uiki.
A famous hill of the land. Beloved is
Ka`uiki that stands there.
The birthplace of Ka`ahumanu.
Tell the name and let it be heard.
O Ka`ahumanu, do answer."
A trip to Hana, birthplace of the favorite Queen of Kamehameha the Great, provided the background for this composition.
Alice Namakelua's singing is almost chant-like.)
Length:1:58 Released on: 09-14-1973 Artist/Compiled by: Alice Namakelua