While researching about the music of Hawaii, I found very interesting facts and I learned a lot! Since I do not know a lot about Hawaii, that was why I chose this topic. I hope you enjoy my blog as I discuss the origin of Hawaiian music, specifically talking about folk music, Queen Liliuokalani, and modern artists as well.
History and folk music
Music in Hawaii is very versatile and has genres like rock and hip-hop to folk music. Fun fact, according to Wikipedia, Hawaii made a big impact to country music by introducing the steel guitar! Their music is religious including dancing and chanting! The 18th century is when the music of Hawaii was first documented by the people who came there who weren't native. According to Wikipedia, Europeans lived there and brought their culture and music with them. Some of the things they introduced were Himeni (Hymns), stringed instruments, and falsetto singing. Before the arrival of the Europeans, the people from Hawaii mainly used their music for religious purposes, according to Hawaii guide. With these new techniques, they were able to learn a lot. From about 1880-1890s, king David Kalakaua was really involved and Hawaiian culture and loved new instruments such as the Ukulele and steel guitar. The king who was after him was very involved also and it was during this time period that the Europeans had a big impact on their culture, according to Wikipedia.
Folk music from Hawaii is used for a few purposes including giving praise to gods and goddesses that are worshipped and telling stories that are passed down, according to Hawaii guide. The people of Hawaii are religious and use the music to pray and sing to the gods and goddesses. Mele oli is songs that are acapella and mele hula is a dance that is with a group of people. Folk music is usually played at festivals or any event where people come together. Chants are used to express any emotion that a person may have. Chants can also be used to pray, name a child that is born or when people go surfing. An example of a dance that uses folk music is the Hula. The chants use instruments called Ipu heke which is a gourd and a pahu which is a drum covered in sharkskin, according to Wikipedia. The people who do the chanting are specifically called the Haku mele. These are people who spend years training to compose and sing the chants. The dances that are done in Hawaii is ritualized according to, Hawaii guide.
Here is an example of a chant called Aloha Oli performed by Johnathan Lopez at Malama Ki forest perserve at Puna, Hawaii:
The video description says that this is the English translation along with the lyrics:
Me ka Lehua / with the lehua
E hale lehua / the "halelehua"
"Aloha 'Oe" was written by Queen Liliuokalani. This video has the lyrics and the chords so if you have a ukulele, you can play along! She was the ruler of the Kalākaua kingdom and was the heir to the throne because her younger brother had died. She was on the throne in 1891 and according to History.com, the new constitution had removed all of her powers in favor of businessmen being in charge. She tried to change this and sadly, could not and the United States annexed Hawaii in 1898. She was the first woman ever to rule Hawaii but because she tried to fight back, she was charged with treason and placed under house arrest. She died in 1917 at the age of 79.
No ia na ka noi / that is indeed our choice
E ka'u no ia /I have long
E a no'e nei / "anticipated"
E a li'a nei / your being here
Ho'i o Tahiti mai / It matters not that you have come afar
A hiki mai no oe / it is right for you to come
A hiki pu no me ke aloha /and all will be right with me
Aloha e Aloha e Aloha e / it is love! It is love! It is love!
This is a welcome greeting that invites people to share in the spirit of Aloha and welcoming you being in their presence ! I love that he is enjoying singing the chant, you can really tell he loves it! personally, I think this would be kind of hard to imitate so its disjunct but maybe it can be learned . His voice does not stay on one note, he slides up and down. The tempo is very fast!
Ukulele and Queen Liliuokalani
I like this song because it has a conjunct melody, consonance harmony, and a steady beat. The dynamic of the song is soft and pleasing to listen to. I like the sound of the Ukulele because even though it looks like a guitar, it has a higher pitch than a guitar. It is also smaller than a guitar so it is probably easier to carry. The meaning of the song sounds sad almost, knowing how the end of her life was.
 |
| Queen Liluokalani |
Modern Artist/ TV example
Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwoʻole was a Hawaiian singer and Ukulele player until 1997 when he passed away. He is still known and loved by millions in his home state and all around the world. He formed a band with a friend when he was just a teenager called "Makaha Sons of Ni’ihau" where they recorded 21 albums. According to his official website, in 1993 he wanted a solo career and his first solo cd is called "facing failure". That album is the top selling Hawaiian album in the entire world. He is best known his version of the song "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" which I attached below.
I've always liked this song because it reminds me of the movie The Wizard of Oz but I love the meaning too. I like that it talks about what life would be like and that it would involve a rainbow. The Ukulele sounds great in the song and it has a steady beat as well.
If you have ever seen Lilo and Stitch, you'll recognize this song called "HE MELE NO LILO" Folk music includes dances such as the Hula which involves feet, arm and hip movements. Here is a woman from Hawaii who gives a step-by-step beginning tutorial of how to do the dance. I love the music is the background because the beat is steady and it has a nice melody. It is consonance sounding and easy to sing along to.
For fun, here is the movie scene from Lilo & Stitch that includes the characters dancing on the stage and Lilo running late because she was swimming in the ocean. Here is the link for the lyrics since it was too long to include typed out.
I hope you enjoyed my blog as I discovered Hawaii and its music history!
“Biography.” The Official Site of Israel IZ Kamakawiwo`Ole, izhawaii.com/biography/.
“Hawaii Guide.” Go to Hawaii Guide., hawaii-guide.info/arts.and.entertainment/musical.traditions.and.styles/.
History.com Editors. “Liliuokalani.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 2 Dec. 2009, www.history.com/topics/19th-century/liliuokalani.
“Mark Keali'i Ho'omalu & Kamehameha Schools Children's Chorus – He Mele No Lilo.” Genius, 11 June 2002, genius.com/Mark-kealii-hoomalu-and-kamehameha-schools-childrens-chorus-he-mele-no-lilo-lyrics.
“Music of Hawaii.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 21 Mar. 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Hawaii.
Welcoming chants are always interesting to listen to in various cultures, as almost all of them represent and speak about emotional and literal acceptance for guests in different ways. As for the ukulele, I have actually been playing it for a long time now, and while I am by no means perfect at it still always have a good time taking it on a trip (due to its travel-sized nature) and playing it (both for others and while alone). The timbre allows for relaxation as well as excitement/happiness; something that I think accurately sums up the creative/expressive nature that Hawaii has created.
ReplyDeleteIt was interesting to hear the welcoming chant; I agree with you that it would be hard to imitate it. Hawaiian music is similar to what I expected, it's calm and harmonic. My favourite song of the ones you attached was "HE MELE NO LILO". I also liked how all singers had at least one flower in their hair when they performed.
ReplyDeleteHey Megan! I have to say your final blog taught me a lot about the musical culture of Hawaii. I didn’t realize that their musical culture was very versatile and had various genres much like us. Also I really found it interesting about their religious music. I think it’s awesome that they were including dancing and even some chanting within their religious music to be able to express themselves within the religion.
ReplyDeleteHi Megan! It was interesting to learn that Hawaii had such a major influence on country music. Also, I do recognize the song from Lilo & Stitch! I love that show. Even though I’ve never heard of the song called “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” I love it. It is so peaceful and soothing.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog. Thanks for the Lilo And Stitch song at the end. I loved learning about Hawaii's musical history as well. Have a great summer.
ReplyDelete