“Keauhou”

Keauhou

(Keauhou KCD001)

The self-titled debut album by Keauhou — Zachary Alaka‘i Lum (guitar/vocals), Jonah Kahanuola Solatorio (ukulele/vocals) and Nicholas Keali‘i Lum (acoustic bass/vocals) — is the latest to show that while many local musicians have jumped on the “reggae train” since 1989, others are keeping Hawaiian music alive and moving forward.

Solatorio and Zachary Lum were members of an earlier version of the group that won Richard Towill’s Ke Himeni Ana unamplified Hawaiian music contest in 2008, but this is the trio’s first recording. Count Keauhou as front-runners for Best New Artist at the Hoku Awards in 2017.

The trio debuts its new album at a CD release party beginning at 6 p.m. today at Kakaako’s Artistry Event Center, 461 Cooke St. ($10 tickets at the door.)

Keauhou translates the trio’s name as “the new/ renewed generation.” They introduce themselves with “E Ko‘olau Ke Ko a Keauhou,” an original by Zachary Lum that presents their falsetto harmonies accompanied only by percussion.

The songs that follow are a beautiful celebration of modern Hawaiian music — four additional originals and 12 classics by songwriters including John K. Almeida, Alfred Alohikea, Irmgard Farden Aluli, Charles E. King and Thomas Sylvester Kalama. Mahi‘ai Beamer and Kimo Alama Keaulana contribute as translators.

The arrangements are everything a traditionalist could ask for: There are smooth harmonies in both the falsetto and “regular” vocal registers. There are strong and assured solo vocals in both registers as well. The instrumentation is clean and acoustic; the occasional addition of steel guitar, piano or Hawaiian percussion instrument emphasizes the commitment to tradition.

So do the guests. Kumu hula Robert Cazimero joins them on piano and lead vocals on “Wehiwehi ‘Oe.” Steel guitarist Jeff Au Hoy, guitarist Halehaku Seabury-Akaka and ki hoalu (slack-key) guitarist Ainsley Halemanu are their celebrity guests elsewhere.

Keauhou moves from Hawaiian to English in paying homage to Hawaii’s hapa haole tradition with the final song, “Mapuana,” which was popularized by Alfred Apaka in the 1950s. Their arrangement evokes the romantic ideal of the classic hapa haole era in exquisite style.

This Hawaiian album is complete, with annotation that provides the Hawaiian lyrics, English translations and cultural information in a 16-page liner notes booklet.

Visit keauhouband.com.