Honolulu, HI - After three years together, Hawaiian music artists Ei Nei (Dane Fujiwara, Grant Kono, and Ekolu Chang) have released their debut album entitled Hui! Experienced musicians - each member of Ei Nei has an extensive musical background and has played with numerous other musicians, together and separately - and winners of the 2017 Kani Ka Pila Grille talent search, Hui! perfectly reflects the talents that audiences have admired since the group's inception, both their individual vocal abilities and their beautifully rich harmonies.
Hui! is a blend of two original tracks, one never-before-released cover, and nine covers that reflect special moments along their musical journey. Keu a Ka U‘i is an original mele (song) written by Grant, who wrote it in honor of his home in Oneawa, Kailua while he was in college. It talks of where pua kenikeni bloom and their fragrance being second to none, where songs of old are still heard, and where the warm breeze is a constant reminder of the treasures still to be found in Kailua.
Wailuku is an original by Dane, written on his way to work at Kamehameha Schools Kapālama one morning, about his hometown growing up. Now living on O'ahu, Dane treasures growing up in Wailuku (Maui) and hopes the mele brings forth the feeling of being home, wherever that may be, for the listener. He calls it a thank you note to his family and community.
Nā Kuahiwi Kaulana is a mele composed by the late Bill Ali‘iloa Lincoln, from the archives of Ka Waihona a Ke Aloha at Kawaihuelani Center for Hawaiian Language. Released for the first time, the mele takes you on a journey from Mahukona, (a landing for boats and ships in the old days on the Kohala coast) through the rolling hills of Kohala up to the chilly rains of Waimea. It also pays honor to three of the most prominent kiaʻi of Hawaiʻi island; Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, and Hualalai.
Hui! was produced by Bailey Matsuda, recorded and engineered by Gaylord Holomalia at Island Sounds Studio, and mixed/mastered by Milan Bertosa. Guest musicians include Dr. Keawe Lopes (piano on Keu a Ka U‘i), Casey Olsen (steel guitar on Hilo Hula and Na ‘Ōno o Ka ‘Āina, and Kupu Dalire-Na‘auao (guitar on Silverswords).
The album is available now on digital outlets, and will be released on CD in January. www.eineimusic.com/
Here are some clips:
Hui! is a blend of two original tracks, one never-before-released cover, and nine covers that reflect special moments along their musical journey. Keu a Ka U‘i is an original mele (song) written by Grant, who wrote it in honor of his home in Oneawa, Kailua while he was in college. It talks of where pua kenikeni bloom and their fragrance being second to none, where songs of old are still heard, and where the warm breeze is a constant reminder of the treasures still to be found in Kailua.
Wailuku is an original by Dane, written on his way to work at Kamehameha Schools Kapālama one morning, about his hometown growing up. Now living on O'ahu, Dane treasures growing up in Wailuku (Maui) and hopes the mele brings forth the feeling of being home, wherever that may be, for the listener. He calls it a thank you note to his family and community.
Nā Kuahiwi Kaulana is a mele composed by the late Bill Ali‘iloa Lincoln, from the archives of Ka Waihona a Ke Aloha at Kawaihuelani Center for Hawaiian Language. Released for the first time, the mele takes you on a journey from Mahukona, (a landing for boats and ships in the old days on the Kohala coast) through the rolling hills of Kohala up to the chilly rains of Waimea. It also pays honor to three of the most prominent kiaʻi of Hawaiʻi island; Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, and Hualalai.
Hui! was produced by Bailey Matsuda, recorded and engineered by Gaylord Holomalia at Island Sounds Studio, and mixed/mastered by Milan Bertosa. Guest musicians include Dr. Keawe Lopes (piano on Keu a Ka U‘i), Casey Olsen (steel guitar on Hilo Hula and Na ‘Ōno o Ka ‘Āina, and Kupu Dalire-Na‘auao (guitar on Silverswords).
The album is available now on digital outlets, and will be released on CD in January. www.eineimusic.com/
Here are some clips:
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