Hymns of Hawaii
(with Daniel Ho)

Credits

George Kahumoku, Jr. - Slack key guitar, vocals, liner notes

Daniel Ho - KoAloha D-VI ‘ukulele, mixing, mastering, photography, graphic design

Nancy Winston Kahumoku - Liner notes, project coordinator

Lydia Miyashiro - Recording, photography, graphic design

Jessica Sweeney - Liner notes

Recorded: 2005
Release Date: June, 2005

Listen:

Track listing

1. Nani Ke Li‘i Ki‘ek‘ie (Glory to God in the Highest)
2. Ke Akua Mana E (How Great Thou Art)
3. Ua Mau/Hosana
4. Nu ‘Oli (Glad Tidings)
5. Kei Ka Hoa O Iesu La (What a Friend We Have in Jesus)
6. Hosana Nui Ia Iesu
7. Hoe Amau! (Pull for the Shore!)
8. I Pa Mai A Ola Au
9. Mele La‘i (Happy Songs)
10. Imi I Ke Kahu (Seek the Gentle Shepherd)
11. He Punawai I Weheia‘e (Glorious Fountain)

Kahumoku and Ho won a Hoku Award in 2000 for "Hymns of Hawaii." This is a perfect sequel. Kahumoku accompanies himself on slack key while singing 11 of his favorite Hawaiian hymns.

Ho provides unobtrusive support on his new KoAloha D-VI ukulele. Count this as a front-runner for a Hoku in 2006 but don't wait until then to buy it.

Most of these hymns have been Hawaiian favorites for generations. Eight represent the legacy of Lorenzo Lyons in translating Christian music into the Hawaiian language during the mid-19th century -- "Kei Ka Hoa O Iesu La (What a Friend We Have in Jesus)" and "Nani Ke Li'i Ki'eki'e (Glory to God in the Highest)," to name two.

Kahumoku sings them with all with the natural nahenahe (sweet, melodious) style of traditional grass-roots Hawaiian music. Kahumoku completes this beautiful album with concise stories about the history of the songs and how they relate to members of his ohana. Sharing family history provides deeper insights into his reasons for recording these songs.

Honolulu Star Bulletin
Saturday, June 18, 2005
Island Mele By John Berger