There are so many hallmarks of each of these groups that I might write an article about how each one has uniquely contributed to what Hawaiian music is today. She had CDs of Na Leo, Makaha Sons, the Brothers Cazimero, and more. These songs fill me with nostalgia, as these are the songs my own mom would play. They’re the songs that are most played on the radio and are beloved, and timeless to the Hawaiian culture. Many of the old Hawaiian songs, along with the slack key guitar, feel much like a kanikapila.

Someone would bring out an ukulele or guitar, and the next thing we knew, we were all sitting in a circle and singing. Growing up in Hawaii, kanikapila usually happened unplanned. Kanikapila is a Hawaiian word used to describe anytime a group of people get together to sing and play instruments. Hawaiian music drifted into auana (auana actually means “to drift or wander,” which is what Hawaiian music has done over time). Many of the names within this list are very popular Hawaiian singers and chanters. Here is a playlist of some Hawaiian mele used for hula kahiko, or as chants that tell a story, genealogy, or act as a call and response.

Those within the space would chant back their reply. Then they would chant, asking permission to enter, land, or come into the space. However, if we look at it anciently, when Hawaiians approached a home or even an island, they’d blow the pū, the large conch shell, to announce their arrival. They would reply with an oli of their own to accept us. For instance, in high school, my classmates and I used to chant at the beginning of the day, asking our teachers permission to enter the classrooms.

Growing up, it wasn’t uncommon to chant an oli asking permission to enter someone’s space. Not all kahiko songs are used to dance to hula because some are used to recite a genealogy, creation myth (such as the kumulipo), or as a call and response. As a result, you’ll hear a lot of chanting-like melodies in Hawaiian of course, by a kumuhula (hula instructor) and sometimes the dancers, as well as finger drumming on the ipu, gourd. I found a playlist that does a wonderful job of encompassing the ancient Hawaiian mele used to dance hula kahiko. Auana refers to modern Hawaiian music, including piano, slack key guitar, and singing. Kahiko refers to the ancient music of Hawaii, involving chanting, blowing the pū, and tapping the ipu. In fact, there are two types of mele that we talk about, especially when it comes to dancing hula: kahiko and auana. Mele (music) has always been a huge part of the Hawaiian culture. Ancient Hawaiian Music for Hula Dancing, Call & Response

Hawaii music traditional wonderful