Growing up in then-sleepy Kona in the ’60 and early ’70s, Marcia Timboy was immersed in the best of Hawaiian music.

"My family had a great collection of LPs, including artists such as Lena Machado, Alfred Apaka, Genoa Keawe, Arthur Lyman, Kui Lee, Johnny Almeida, the Aliis and the Sons of Hawaii," recalled the assistant programs curator for the Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives (HMH). "I never got tired of listening to them; it was a part of being at home. My appreciation for Hawaiian music has stayed with me since those ‘small kid’ days."

When Timboy attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa in the mid-1970s, a Hawaiian cultural renaissance was in full swing.

"From that movement came amazing new music," Timboy said. "I remember seeing Olomana, Country Comfort, the Sunday Manoa and Gabby Pahinui at the Kanikapila events at UH’s Andrews Amphitheater. My coming of age during that time influences the work I’m doing now."

Timboy is the coordinator for HMH’s second annual Ke Ala o ka Hua Mele, which explores the evolution of Hawaiian music, from pre-contact Hawaii to today.

Liko Puha — a Native Hawaiian chanter, dancer, musician and songwriter — chose the poetic name of the series. "According to Liko, there’s kaona (hidden meaning) in the way the name is spelled," Timboy said. "It’s based on ‘ke ala o ka mahina,’ the path created when the moon shines on the ocean. ‘Ala,’ that lighted path, indicates a time and space of something constant. In the case of our music series, what is constant is the Hawaiians’ ability to tell stories in various ways; for example, through hula, singing and oli (chants)."

Also, if ke ala is spelled ke ‘ala, with the glottal stop, it means "fragrance," which provides another layer of kaona. "The many changes that occurred in Hawaiian music over the centuries could be thought of as a wonderful scent, drawing people to join us, learn and enjoy," Timboy said.

Hua mele refers to the notes in music or the lyrics of a song. Ke Ala o ka Hua Mele will be presented over five Saturday evenings this year, each focusing on a different era. All of the programs will include a free Talk Story panel discussion about the major developments in Hawaiian music during the period being spotlighted.

After supper the events will wrap up with a musical performance under the stars. Aaron Mahi, former bandmaster of the Royal Hawaiian Band, will moderate the Talk Story discussions and emcee the performances.

For the Feb. 1 event, Puha will pre­sent a free 90-minute oli appreciation workshop at 10 a.m. During this interactive session, attendees will learn about the relationship between the words and vocalization of chants.

"Liko will explore several oli techniques," Timboy said. "One of the workshop’s goals is to help students recognize the differences between those styles."

Later that day, Puha will join Dr. Kalena Silva and Sam Ohukaniohia Gon on the Talk Story panel. An authority in oli and the Hawaiian language, Silva is director of Ka Haka Ula o Keelikolani, the College of Hawaiian Language at the University of Hawaii at Hilo.

Gon, the Nature Conservancy of Hawaii’s cultural adviser and senior scientist, is kumu oli for Na Waa Lalani Kahuna o Puu Kohola, which will perform before Na Hanona o ka Halau Hula Pa Ola Kapu that evening.

"Each installment of Ke Ala o ka Hua Mele showcases a fascinating chapter in the chronicle of Hawaiian music," Timboy said. "Many little-known tidbits will be shared during the series. For instance, few people know that the missionaries introduced the Hawaiians to polyphonic music, or harmony, through hymns."

As the series evolves, topics will change so that many genres of Hawaii’s rich, diverse music story can be shared.

"The preservation and perpetuation of music is a vital component of Hawaii’s history," Timboy said. "Ke Ala o ka Hua Mele broadens and deepens attendees’ understanding and appreciation of Hawaiian music and dance. Each program will be like a cas­ual, comfortable backyard gathering, but with an important focus."

OTHER SPECIAL EVENTS

Location is the Hawaiian Mission Houses unless otherwise noted. Details are on www.missionhouses.org.

» April 12 and Sept. 27: Open house

» April 25, 26: Tales from the Sea, Oahu Cemetery in Nuuanu

» June 20, 21, 27, 28: For the Sake of Public Health, Oahu Cemetery

» Aug. 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)

» Sept. 20: Huakai: A Musical Journey

» Nov. 29: Holiday Craft Fair

» Dec. 6: City Lights Parade Family Evening

HISTORIC LANDMARK

A leading authority on Protestant missionary history in Hawaii, the Hawaiian Mission Houses (HMH) was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1965. It includes three restored buildings built and used by the missionaries; two, dating back to 1821 and 1831, are the oldest documented houses in Hawaii.

On exhibit are artifacts providing insights into 19th-century missionary life, including tools, equipment, furniture, textiles and household items. Also on site is a library containing photos, artwork, diaries, medical records, business and personal letters and other documents and manuscripts. The library also maintains the largest collection of Hawaiian-language books in the world.

HMH is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The guided tour is $10 for adults ($8 kama•aina, military personnel and seniors 65 and older) and $6 for students. On the last Saturday of the month, kamaaina pay $4 with a valid Hawaii ID.

Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi is a Honolulu-based freelance writer whose travel features for the Star-Advertiser have won Society of American Travel Writers awards.