Kaila Hawai'i

We’re enjoying the sounds of Thievery Corporation’s on their latest release, Radio Retaliation. We’ve been fans for a decade now, and the disc is a real standout. It’s one of the rare instances—at least, as we far back as we can remember—where downtempo chill has managed to successfully take on political commentary (just take a listen to “The Numbers Game” or “33^rd Degree”). But our favorite track is perhaps the least political (instrumentals aside, of course). “Sweet Tides”, with vocals courtesy of Loulou, is one of those songs that make for a perfect dreamy interlude (more…)

Tags: kauwela - summer, Mazzy Star, Thievery Corporation

Kahi (The Place) : Kualaka‘i, Honouliuli, ‘Ewa, O‘ahu-a-Lua

In a traditional Native Hawaiian perspective, the region now occupied by Kapolei and Kalaeloa (Barbers’ Point) is part of the ahupua‘a of Honouliuli, the largest land division of O‘ahu’s ‘Ewa district. Honouliuli stretches down from the Wai‘anae mountains to Līhu‘e (yes, O‘ahu has one too), the area now occupied by Schofield Barracks, all the way to the Pu‘uloa estuary, now known as Pearl Harbor. The ocean boundary was O’ahu’s southern shore, from Kahe Point to the area near the new Hoakalei development. While much of the Honouliuli region was transformed because of cattle ranching and sugar cane and continues to change from extensive development, we are still fortunate to have access to our kūpuna’s knowledge on the region through their mo‘olelo (stories) and their writings. And by reading their accounts, we can learn of the names of Honouliuli and those who have passed and lived there.

One particular place I have only recently discovered was traditionally known as Kualaka‘i. This is the shoreline area in front of the Barbers Point military base. Once one makes through the former military roads under the hot sun, one discovers the beauty of Kualaka‘i. Two particular stretches of beaches (White Planes and Nimitz) are now known by English names. But let’s return to the name Kualaka’i, which resounds in the legends of time past.

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Tags: Barbers Point, Hawaiian Mythology, Hi'iakaikapoliopele, Honouliuli, Kahakai / Beaches, Kalaeloa, Kapolei, Kualaka'i, Nā Wahi Pana / Storied Places

Kahi (The Place): Tahiti, Te Ao Ma’ohi/French Polynesia

Think of music from Tahiti, and you’ll think of the gentle sway of the ‘aparima or the pulsing, multi-layered rhythms for an ‘ote’a. But the music of our cousins to the south goes beyond the melodies of the Heiva. Take an act like Tikahiri,fronted by brothers Aroma and Mano Salmon–who also run a tattoo shop in downtown Pape’ete. For this part of Polynesia, the band is rather unique. (We can’t  forget to mention, though, the ma’ohi rock band Manahune.) Live or on their studio album, Tamaki Hope`a, Tikahiri’s arrangements are deceptively simple (bass, guitar, drums, cello) but full of sound, emanating a complex, brooding personality one wouldn’t necessary expect from islands in the sun. (more…)

Tags: Acoustic Rock, Mele / Music, Tahiti, Te Ao Ma'ohi / French Polynesia, Tikahiri, Tuamotus

This fantastic TV spot (shot by director Kevin Denholm via Exposure Films) has made its way from Aotearoa/New Zealand to all over the world. In an era where flying has become more of a chore than pleasure, Air New Zealand wanted to show they have nothing to hide. So they turned to their employees, including CEO Rob Fyfe, to “show” what they mean. (See the clip after the jump.) (more…)

Tags: Air New Zealand, Aotearoa/New Zealand, hoʻolaha kūʻai / ads

The summer heat is on on O‘ahu (almost 90 this week!). So, though we’ve been stuck in front of the computer,  we’ve been thinking of running into the water at one of our favorite beaches, Keawa‘ula (Yokes),  Mākaha,  Ka‘ōhao (Lanikai), or Kailua (see image below, circa 2005). Of course, covered with sea spray or nice and dry, we like to keep our style in check, even ma kahakai, at the beach. You never know how you might run into!

So we’re in love with the Waiuli Surf Shorts from Sig Zane in beautiful Hilo, Hawai‘i Island. They’re inispired by the surf shorts of decades past, made with pure cotton in Sig’s signature patterns with a coconut button enclosure. Five designs are available, but we’re particular partial to the Nightfall Uluwehi Keaukaha design (see above). But the Chocolate Pu‘umanawale‘a shorts are quite classy too. Hū ke kaila ! Now if we could get away from our desks and learn how to he‘enalu (surf)…

Tags: Hawai'i Island, Hilo, lole / clothes, Lole wāwae pōkole he‘enalu / Surf shorts, Sig Zane

Kauwela, the Hawaiian summer, has been ablaze for some weeks now, and I find myself fleeing from the midday heat. Of course, nothing beats the heat like a cool cocktail. One of my favorite spiked remedies, the caipirnha, is from Brazil, where it is widely considered the national drink. (more…)

Tags: cachaca, caiprinha, Kāhala, Kaimukī, kauwela - summer, laimi / lime, lama hoʻohuihui ʻia / cocktail, Palakina / Brazil

Erykah Badu  Live at Aloha Tower on May 29

Kahi (The Place): Honolulu, Kona, O’ahu-a-Lua

I remember when I got my hands on Ms. Erykah Badu’s debut album Baduizm back in the nineties. I had “On and On” on repeat, back in the day when we used to jam on the Sony Discman. She was fresh out of the group Arrested Development. (I still remember her killer vocal hooks on the track “Tennesse”). And, of course, who could forget her signature head wraps! (more…)

Tags: Erykah Badu, Mele / Music, Pāleo / Albums, Vegetarians, ʻAha Mele / Concerts

Many in Hawai‘i are already familiar with makahiki, the period of time that lasts from roughly late October to the end of April. In pre-contact times, makahiki was a time of peace and tranquility, filled with festivities dedicated to the god Lono. But many are not entirely familiar with the other traditional Hawaiian season, kauwela-the word that also corresponds to the Western summer.

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Tags: heiau, ka ho‘omana Hawai‘i / Hawaiian religion, kauwela - summer, Kona - O'ahu, Ku, Kūpalaha, Lono, makahiki

Kahi (The Place) : Waikīkī, Kona, O‘ahu-a-Lua

Fashion meets art at the grand finale of June’s  fantastic Maoli Arts Month. MAMO’s Wearable Art showcase will be held at the Sheraton Waikīkī on Saturday, May 30, 2009, starting at 5:30 pm. (more…)

Tags: MAMo, Maoli Arts Month

Aloha kākou e nā hoa makamaka…

Welcome to a new look at modern living in Hawai‘i. Our goal is to bring you all that makes life rich and beautiful, with a distinctively modern and maoli (native) edge. We directly take our inspiration from past generations of kānaka maoli, Hawaiians. In spite of the massive whirlwinds of change around them, our kūpuna knew how to successfully keep their identity as Hawaiians all the while incorporating influences from abroad, ingenuously and tastefully. (more…)