Olomana: 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award,
Hawaiʻi Academy of Recording Arts

The majestic mountain… Olomana… was named for a legendary giant.

Such could be said for the body of work… by Jerry Santos and Robert Beaumont… and later Haunani Apoliona… that placed Olomana's name-sake among the giants… and legends… of our industry.

Jerry Santos and Robert Beaumont joined forces in 1975… honing their art by performing in the great Honolulu nightclubs that once fostered Hawaiian music.

Theirs was a distinctive blend of contemporary and traditional structures… part family… part childhood memories… and… ALL aloha ʻāina:

In 1976… Olomana released Like a Seabird in the Wind.

Their lyrics – including Jerry's classic “Kuʻu Home O Kahaluʻu”… revealed their enduring connection to Hawaiʻi.

“Robert and I were a perfect match,” Jerry said… “What I said with words… he said with his instrumentation.”

Their second album… And So We Are… realized the spirit of their generation… young Hawaiians seeking their heritage in the wisdom of their kūpuna.

Olomana spent time with the people of Kalaupapa… sang for nā kūpuna wāhine of Molokaʻi under the kiawe trees on Kahoʻolawe… and… in the cause of aloha ʻāina… recorded Uncle Harry Mitchell's “Mele o Kahoʻolawe”.

As their fame grew… Olomana used their visibility to bring attention to Hawaiian issues: the bombing of Kahoʻolawe… the struggle over Waiāhole/Waikāne… the creation of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

“From weddings to protests… from Kauaʻi to Hawaiʻi… we felt the guidance of Kupuna Emma DeFries and Harry Mitchell”… Jerry said.

In 1981… inspired by Aunty Emma… Olomana recorded Come to Me Gently.

With bassist Wally Suenaga… and percussionist Willy Paikuli enriching their sound… Come to Me Gently captured six Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards… including Aunty Emma's Haku Mele-winning “E Kuʻu Sweet Lei Poina ʻOle” – her only known recording – and… for its title track… Song of the Year honors went to Jerry Santos.

Yet… with Robert Beaumont's passing… 1982 also became a year of wrenching change.

“Our last performance together was the swearing-in ceremonies for the trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs,” Jerry recalled.  “I said goodbye to him as he left… and that would be our last moment.  The next morning they came to tell me he was gone.”

The loss of Robert became Jerry's trial: How to continue without him?

He found his answer in Haunani Apoliona.

At first glance… this woman… with her masters degree in social work… serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of Alu Like… and who would later Chair the Office of Hawaiian Affairs… might seem an unlikely Hawaiian music icon.

But this servant-leader… just happened to be a master of Kī Hōʻalu.

“Music is my salvation,” she once said… and in sharing values… and spirit… Haunani Apoliona became the salvation of Olomana.

While the New Olomana worked to find their own balance… the band released Through the Years… a transitional anthology… acknowledging Robert's contributions… and containing Jerry's tribute composition… The Lovelight in Your Eyes.”

Meanwhile…

1987 saw the release of Nā Lei Hulu Makua, Nā Wāhine Hawaiʻi… Haunani's affectionate tribute to the dignity of the women of Hawaiʻi. It garnered 6 Hōkū Awards… including Haku Mele… for “Kukuiʻohiwai.”

Two years later… Jerry's Expecting Friends… set his new artistic direction… and captured both Contemporary Hawaiian Album and Male Vocalist of the Year honors.

For their fans… in the 1992 release of E Maui Ana Ka Haʻaheo – Enduring Pride… marked a homecoming for Olomana… celebrating their most-beloved themes: pride in the beauty and endurance of the people… and the culture of Hawaiʻi… and… earning both the Traditional Hawaiian Album award… and Haku Mele honors for Haunani's title song.

Of their history… it's important to note… that Olomana has never made music to sell Hawaiʻi to the world… but always… to bring Hawaiʻi… and her people… home.

And so… The Hawaiʻi Academy of Recording Arts proudly presents the Lifetime Achievement Award… to: Jerry Santos… Haunani Apoliona… Wally Suenaga… Willy Paikuli… and… the late Robert Beaumont.

Photo cover (L to R): Alan Akaka, Haunani Bernardino, Ainsley Halemanu, Kaniela Akaka, Larry Kimura, Haunani Apoliona, Glenn Silva, Lolena Nicholas, Aaron Mahi

Ua Ulu ka hoi — there is a saying in Hawaiian, Ua Ulu Ka Hoi, which plays on the word hoi, a delicate variety of yam which grows in our forests when conditions are right, and hoi or hoihoi — a feeling of rewarding interest. For many years this hoi remained quiet: now it sprouts in regeneration: Ua ulu ka hoi. A new spirit is born within, inspiring us to compose with Aloha. All of the songs in this album, composed in the Hawaiian language, are new, most are by young composers who have applied Hawaiian poetic esthetics creatively as a means of interpreting the beauty and love of Hawaiian meaning, both past and present. (excerpt from liner notes by Larry Kimura)

Selections: E Nā Hawaiʻi, Kuaʻāina Holoholo, Kaupö, Kalāhuipuaʻa, I Ka Ua O Ka Pö Nei, Waʻa Hōkūleʻa, Kohala Unu Paʻa, Niʻihau O Kaʻeokūlani, Kuʻu ʻĀina o Waimea, New York Hula, Hoʻoluli Noho Paipai

Producer: Larry Kimura, a fundraising project for Hui Aloha ʻĀina Tuahine

KAIMANA — multi-talented musicians who came together from different styles of music but found a common binding interest in performing traditional Hawaiian music. Each has made a contribution to perpetuating that ethnic music by writing lyrics or music — one song each on this album titled Nā Pua O Oʻahu because all in the group are born and raised on Oʻahu. Kaimana dedicates this album to their families and friends who gave them inspiration, encouragement and support. Iā ʻoukou ā pau e nā hoa makamaka ke aloha a me ka mahalo nui. (excerpts from Liner Notes)

All instrumentals and vocal arrangements by Kaimana

Selections: Kawaipunaohaʻao, Lei Poni Moʻi, Ke Awāwa O Kahana, Roselani Blossoms, Hanauma, Nānākuli, Matsonia, Ipo Lauaʻe, Lei Pukana, Mahalo Ke Kono

Photo (top, clockwise) Jerry Santos, Willy Paikuli, Haunani Apoliona, Wally Suenaga

E MAU ANAN KA HAʻAHEO, KA HAʻAHEO O KA NOHONA, KE OLA KAMAĒHU O KA LĀHUI.... The pride in the steadfast and purposeful lifestyle of our Hawaiian people endures. In each phase of lyric, in each bar of melody, the spirit of Hawaiʻi and Hawaiian composers, our storytellers, resounds. Olomana has been nourished by the heritage of Hawaiʻi. We celebrate through our music the land and people that touch our spirits. Although some of the voices of Olomana have passed into other realms of silence, the enduring pride in our Hawaiʻi swells on the wave of the second decade. What continues to endure for Olomana is the mission to bring Hawaiʻi, its genuine spirit and presence to those that desire the experience. (excerpts from liner notes)

Selections: Hoʻomaka Hou, Waimānalo, E Haunani, Nā Pua Lei ʻIlima, E Mālama I Ka Wai, Old Time Island Music Medley (Ua Noho Au A Kupa, Pulupe Nei ʻIli I Ke Anu, Aloha No Au I Ko Maka, My Sweet Sweething, Kaula ʻIli), Tewetewe, Kuʻu Pua I Paoakalani, Walking In The Queen's Garden, E Mau Ana Ka Haʻaheo.

Nā Lei Hulu Makua, Nā Wahine Hawaiʻi is dedicated to Anne G. Apoliona, our mother. The woman who in the lives of her children has provided balance and direction; who has promoted independence of spirit and mind while nurturing cooperation in action. And who with our father has fostered in us an internal harmony with our ethnicity and heritage.

My appreciation and gratitude to the composers, McKinzie, Aluli-McManus, Bernardino and Craver, who have allowed me to interpret their creations. I thank also the family of Pukuʻi, Kekuʻewa and Beamer (Marmionette and Mahiʻai) for the same privilege.

Selections: Nā Lei Hulu Makua, Nā Wahine Hawaiʻi (Hōkū Hanohano Award Traditional Hawaiian Album of the Year 1988)

Side One
    ʻAno ʻAi, Nā Moku Kaulana, Hana by the Sea, Nā Kuahiwi ʻElima / Kimo Hula,ALU LIKE (Hōkū Hanohano, Haku Mele Award 1985)

Side Two
    Kukuiʻohiwai (Hōkū Hanohano Award, Haku Mele Award 1988), Hoʻoluli Noho Paipai, A Song for Mom, Hoa I Ka Rain Tuahine, Nā Lei Hulu Makua Nā Wahine Hawaiʻi, He Mau Manaʻo Ponoʻī