[Hawaiian] Aloha Pumehana Serenaders - Kuulei Clark Presents Hula Gems (1976)

Well-known hula authority Kuulei Clark has been a highly respected Hawaiian dance teacher for 40 years. The studio that bears her name has turned out hundreds of students to perpetuate the hula in all its many forms. This album, "'Kuulei Clark Presents Hula Gems,'' is designed for the serious hula student. Learning hula did not come easily to Kuulei. In her very early years she had to abide by strict tabu against hula dancing. She was able to take up the dance only after going through solemn tradition rituals to overcome the taboo. She had lost years to make up, but the fact she quickly became one of Hawaii's finest hula experts, is due greatly to the knowledgeable people who instructed, influenced and encouraged her. They include Kaeka Kanahele, Joseph llalo Ole, John K. Almeida, and two people to whom this album is dedicated -- her late mother Anne Kaupu Chong and mother-in-law Anne Kaihe Clark. The selections on "Kuulei Clark Presents Hula Gems' are performed by the Aloha Pumehana Serenaders-made up of leader Darrell Lupenui, on ukulele, Wendell Silva, bass, Lanakila Manini and Ainsley Halemanu, guitars. All the musicians are accomplished vocalists and the album spotlights them in solos and harmonizing. Elena Amaki provided technical assistance. Cover girl is 16-year-old Kuulei "Honey Girl'' Balina. The numbers reflect a variety of moods and tempos. "'Hilawe,'' an ipu hula, is about a place in the Big Island's Waipio Valley. 'Waiakaloa,"' a hula featuring such instruments as the ii, uliuli puile and ipu, concerns a meeting place of hospitality and love near Hana, Maui. "'Hoki Hoki" and "Pa Mai" are both Maori poi ball numbers. "Hano Hano Haleiwa" tells of the opening of the Haleiwa Hotel in the early 1900s. "O Kalena Kai' describes scenic points on Oahu and the beauty of Mt. Kaala while ""Mokueo' tells of an outlet off the shores of Sand Island. Kawika,' a traditional chant, pays tribute to David Kalakaua, and "E Liliu E' is a chant honoring Queen Liliuokalani. "'He Ali No Oe" (You are my Lord and I am your servant) is a puile hula. 'Baby Kalae' is an old favorite and "Beautiful Kauai" a recent favorite. "'Hanalei Moon,' a new hit by Bob Nelson, won a "'Nani" award for "best song." [adapted from linear notes] Tracklist: A1 He Alii No Oe A2 Waiakaloa A3 Hanohano Haleiwa A4 Kawika (Chant) A5 E Liliu E A6 Hiilawe A7 Beautiful Kauai B1 Hanalei Moon B2 Hoki Hoki B3 Baby Kalae B4 Pa Mae B5 O Kalena Kai B6 Mokueo Label: Poki Records – SP 9013 Format: Vinyl Country: US Genre: Folk, World, & Country Style: Pacific, Hawaiian Year: 1976 Recording chain: PRO-Ject Debut Carbon EVO Turntable -- iFi Audio Zen Phono Preamp -- MOTU M4 (ESS Sabre32 Ultra™ DAC ) -- RX 10 De-crackle -- RX 10 De-Click -- Ozone 11 Maximizer IRC IV-Transient. Recorded at 24-bit/96000 Hz. This upload is part of a music preservation project. I will be scouring record stores for music forgotten in the digital age, recording and restoring the audio, and uploading it for the general public. If you are a copyright holder and would like your work removed, please contact me.