Customer Reviews

Ho'oluana

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

For all Hawaiians who are far from home and the malihini who want to bring some of Hawaii into their home. When I am not in Hawaii the Makaha Sons remind me of my Hawaiian heritage. This is probably one of their best CD's, and Israel is still singing with them. The music and harmony is so good. My husband and I agree that if you missed a concert with them, this is the next best thing.

After living in Hawaii for 8 years and listening to Hawaiian music every day during that time, I can honestly say that the Makaha Sons of Ni'Ihau are my favorite and this is the greatest album! I am now living in the desert in Arizona and all I have to do is listen to this music to be taken back to the sunny shores of Oahu. I recommend this to anyone who loves the islands. You won't be disappointed! Enjoy!

Ho'oluana is my favorite CD of the Makaha Sons! I'm not native Hawaiian but through this CD I've grown to love the music, tradition, and people. I enjoy and appreciate the traditional lyrics, smooth harmonizing, and instrumental mix. My favorite is Mehameha/White Sandy Beach that is so melancholy and beautiful. I've heard the Makaha Sons twice in concert and have met members of the group. They, like their music, are GREAT!! This is a CD that music lovers everywhere must have in their personal library!

From the haunting harmonies to the heartbreaking melodies, "Ho'oluana" is my all time favorite album from the Makaha Sons, and I've heard all of their albums. I cry of homesickness only when I hear 2 songs from home, and "White Sandy Beach" is one of them. "Nohili E" is a sweet, beautiful song that would make any hula dancer enchanting when dancing to it. I especially love Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's pure tenor; he was a gift to Hawaiians and Hawaiian music. This is an exemplary display of modern and some ancient Hawaiian music. The Kumulipo is the Hawaiian creation chant that is some 1,000 lines long (although not nearly all on this album) passed down the generations all by memory.

This is not the last Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau album, but it is the last one before Israel Kamakawiwo'ole left the group for a solo career. "Ho'oluana" will surely soothe the mind and lift the spirit, even if you don't know any Hawaiian, because music truly is a universal language that resonates the human soul.

I picked this CD up "by accident" in a Maui record shop back in 92 while on vacation. No accident, bruddah. This is one of my favorite CDs of all time, and my introduction to the golden voice of IZ. Whenever I need to de-stress, I listen to any of these tunes - really any of them are gorgeous - and I'm back on the beach, cool wind in my hair..... Honestly, these are vocals to rival the best of mainland music - Beach Boys, Eagles, you name it. The Sons rule.

I first bought this cd for mehameha/white sandy beach. After listening to the cd, Makaha Sons of Niihau became my favorite Hawaiian band. The music is so soothing and relaxing. Voices melt beautifully together in harmony. Lots of energy you can feel in this album. All the songs are excellent. The music makes you feel like you are really lying on a beach on a white sandy beach of Hawaii. Highly recommended!

Quite simply the best album the Makaha Sons have put out. This was their last real album while Iz was still in the group, and you can hear his vocals soar in Mehameha/White Sandy Beach. There's really no reason you shouldn't buy this album!

This is the very best of the Makaha Sons CD's. The music, instrumentals and close vocal harmonies are second to none. Especially memorable are the ethereal background choral vocals on Kumulipo and the lilting Nohili E. If this music doesn't make you want to visit or return to Hawai'i Nei, you should stay put!

When I lived in Hawaii (1991-1994) this was one of the most famous and popular groups and albums. The group itself was already somewhat in decline, but not do to any lack of popularity of their music (unfortunately due to health problems among some of their key performers). This was, I believe, this group's last album (again, because of health problems). It is a mix of traditional and modern, Hawaiian language and English language. Their emphasis is on flowing harmony rather than fancy guitar work. The song "Mehameha / White Sandy Beach" is extremely moving and sad. (Mehameha is Hawaiian for "lonely".) That one song is worth the price of this album.

The Makaha Sons have a beautiful sound, full of sweet harmonies. Every time I play this CD, it brings me back to my time on Oahu. Great CD!