Album Notes

1. HAWAII, MY PARADISE – Danny Couch (Danny Couch)
Danny Couch is an award-winning island artist and composer who performed for many years with the Ali’is in the Don Ho show. Many of his compositions extol the virtues of Hawaii because Danny loves the islands of Hawaii and really enjoys singing about them.

2. GOTTA’ GET AWAY – Ernie Cruz, Jr. (Henry Kapono)
Ernie Cruz Jr. has been involved in the island music scene for many years. He was one-half of the Ka’au Crater Boys and has toured with many island “name acts.” He’s a terrific solo performer as well. Ernie is the guy you call when you want a solid guitar or a great vocal performance.

3. TAKE ME HOME – Ale’a (R. Gonzalez, K. Hannahs, K. Stern, C. Takatsugi)
Ale’a (sweet-voice). The group has been involved in Hawaiian music since the late 1990s. They have toured the South Pacific, Scandinavia, London and the US Mainland. “Take Me Home” is the title song from their first album which won four Na Hoku Hanohano awards and two Hawaii Music Awards.

4. PARADISE – Milo Shade (Noelani Soriano)
Milo Shade (Noelani Soriano, Tiare Suan, Byron Rodrigues, Chris Tokumaru, Jonathan Lum, Bernardo Soriano and Brent Nishikawa) has a terrific contemporary island sound that always puts a smile on the faces of the audience. Please enjoy this quick trip to “Paradise.” It’s become a listener favorite.

5. MAHINA O HOKU/ALOHA WAU IA OE – Natalie Ai Kamauu (L. Awa-M. Lam- J. Wilkins>
Natalie Kamauu is an award-winning singer, dancer and songwriter whose family is also very musical. She is a former “Miss Aloha Hula” and Hawaiian chanter. This medley of two island classics is found on her first solo album ‘E, for which she won a Na Hoku Hanohano award for Female Vocalist of the Year. Mahina O Hoku refers to the moon on the night before the full moon and Aloha Wau Ia Oe simply means “I Love You.”

6. BLUE HAWAII – Makaha Sons (Robin-Rainger)
The Makaha Sons (Moon Kauakahi, John Koko and Jerome Koko) have been entertaining people around-the-world for many years. In 2006, the “Sons” celebrated 30 years together. This much-requested song comes from their “Golden Hawaiian Melodies” release, and as the name implies, it is a “Golden Melody.”

7. KEIKI O KA AINA – Robi Kahakalau (Ku Kahakalau)
Robi Kahakalau is an exciting concert performer who has worked with just about every touring act and has done many tours on her own. Keiki O Ka Aina (Children of the Land) is the title song from one of her very successful albums. The backup singers on this track are “na keiki o ke kulu kaiapuni o Anuenue.” Sing along with Sistah Robi and the keiki (children)

8. HALEAKALA – Hapa – (J. Kauka)
HAPA has been one of Hawaii’s great musical treasures for many years. They have performed all over Hawaii, the U.S. Mainland and Japan. This song is from their award-winning album “Maui,” which features many songs of Hawaii and the South Pacific. The lyrics sing the praises of Maui’s “House of the Sun,” Haleakala! This great dormant volcanic crater is a visitor must-see. Close your eyes and HAPA (Barry Flanagan & Nathan Aweau) will take you there.

9. DREAMING OF HAWAII – Brittni Paiva - (Aloha Joe® - Brittni Paiva A.S.C.A.P.)
Brittni Paiva was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii and began playing ukulele at age eleven. She’s won many awards including “Most promising Artist of the Year” (Na Hoku Award 2005), and “Ukulele Album of the Year” (Hawaii Music Award 2005). In addition to ukulele, Brittni also plays slack-key guitar and bass. This is an original composition recorded especially for this collection.

10. NOTHING’S GONNA’ CHANGE MY LOVE FOR YOU – Forte’ with Glenn Medeiros (Masser-Goffin)
Forte’ – In 2002, four delightful and talented island women named Gissele Tejada, Marlene Baldueza, Kristina Babaran and Joanne Banda featured Glenn Medeiros on this mega-hit, which has been identified with Glenn as his “signature song.” Forte’ performed for several years and then disbanded to pursue separate careers.

11. KAIMANA HILA – Nathan Aweau (Charles E. King)
Nathan Aweau (two-time male vocalist of the year), presents a non-traditional rendition of an island classic that can be traced back to 1916. The song tells us of an outing in Kapi’olani Park where everyone enjoyed the beauty of the Waikiki landmark, Kaimana Hila (Diamond Head). Nathan’s album, “Bass Etudes,” won the 2005 “Jazz album of the year” (Hawaii Music Award, and Na Hoku Award).

12. IT’S ALOHA FRIDAY, NO WORK ‘TIL MONDAY– Kimo Kahoano, Paul Natto (Paul Natto)
Aloha Joe® Radio receives requests from around-the-world for this anthem every Friday! Kimo Kahoano is an island entertainment icon. He has announced, hosted and emceed more events than we can count. Kimo appears on island TV and radio in many roles. Everyone quickly identifies him as “the voice of the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival.” We include this song to help you kickoff the weekend or to make ANY DAY, ALOHA FRIDAY!