Have you heard this Hawaiian song?

Aloha mai kakou,

What do you think of when you hear Hawaiian music? Does it remind you of your kupuna? Do you wish you knew what they were saying? Do the melodies stir something in you?

Hawaiian music is an enjoyable way to listen to the language. If you’ve been diligent at listening to recordings of Native speakers, music is a fun way to change it up. You can learn new vocabulary or build on what you already know by really paying attention to the lyrics. You can learn common Hawaiian expressions and the more poetic side of the language. 

After the overthrow in 1893, the language started dwindling which also affected the music. So, when it comes to accuracy, I say, the older the better.

One of my personal favorites is a recording from Ka Leo Hawaii. Ka Makani Kaili Aloha by Kawika Kaalakea who was a Native speaker. (The song starts at minute 55:22.)

This is the same song sung by Gabby Pahinui. If you analyze just the first verse you’ll hear Pahinui mistake kaili for kauwili, along with other mispronunciations. To be clear, Pahinui is one of my favorite musicians, but his competency in Hawaiian is limited. This was common for that era of music and it continued to decline.

Use Hawaiian music to strengthen your language skills. Research what you can’t understand. Write down the words you don’t know. Give yourself credit for what you do know. If you really want to take it to the next level (and I think you do), you could try translating the lyrics. 

Here a just a few suggestions of artists to listen to:

Alice Namakelua

Genoa Keawe

Kahauanu Lake Trio

John Kamealoha Almeida

Lena Machado

There’s a lot more I could say about Hawaiian music, but let’s just leave it at that for now.

Reply to this email and tell me what your favorite Hawaiian song is! 

I mua kakou ma ke ala imi naauao,

Malu

Ka-alala.mykajabi.com