“Kawaiola”

Kawika Kahiapo

(Pono Records)

Kawika Kahiapo has enjoyed critical and popular success as a solo performer and as a member of Hawaiian quartet Kaukahi. The title of this anthology translates as “Living Water,” and he describes its contents as expressing his gratitude to God for all he has accomplished and all he has received.

Kahiapo shares his feelings in English and Hawaiian, vocally and instrumentally. Kahiapo’s talent as a ki hoalu (slack-key) guitarist makes his instrumental arrangement of “Amazing Grace” instantly notable.

Many people in Hawaii know the melody of “I Left It All With Jesus,” a 19th-century hymn by composer James McGranahan and lyricist Ellen Willis, as the melody of “Hawai‘i Aloha.” Kahiapo may be the first Hawaiian recording artist to sing the English lyrics of the original hymn as well as the beloved Hawaiian lyrics written by Lorenzo Lyons.

Kahiapo also opts for English with “He Touched Me” and with an original composition, “First Christmas,” that reminds us that Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus.

His voice, rich and soulful, conveys the spirituality of these songs. Providing English translations of the Hawaiian lyrics — perhaps on his website — would make the message accessible to the vast majority of Hawaii residents who are not fluent in olelo Hawaii (the Hawaiian language).

Visit kawikakahiapo.net.