On the heels of his 2015 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards for Island Music Album of the Year (Ku'u 'Aina Aloha) and Slack Key Album of the Year (Ho'omaluhia), Kawika Kahiapo has released Kawaiola (Living Water), an album of inspirational and spiritual songs that are close to his heart. A combination of original songs, including “First Christmas,” which was recorded by Na Leo in 2001, classics such as an instrumental version of “Amazing Grace” (Lokomaika’i), and several medleys, including "Hawai’i Aloha" with "I Left It All With Jesus", the common thread throughout the album is Kahiapo’s deep spirituality.
A professional musician since the age of 17, Kahiapo is also an ordained minister who has officiated at weddings in addition to performing at them. His love and devotion to his friends and family, and to Hawai’i’s people, land, and culture are evident not only in his songs, but also in how he lives: he volunteers for countless projects and he sits on the governing boards of a variety of organizations; from PBS Hawaii, to the North Shore Community Land Trust, to Jack and Kim Johnson’s Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation, and more. Musically, he has contributed his talents to over 80 recording projects, and has collaborated and performed with artists from the internationally acclaimed Jack Johnson to fellow GRAMMY® Award winner Cyril Pahinui; the Sunday Mānoa’s Palani Vaughan, and many more. He is a fixture at slack key festivals all over the U.S. and abroad, and the demand for both his slack key and vocal talents has expanded to include the recording of numerous jingles and theme songs for radio and television ads.
Kawaiola is a reflection of his gratitude for all he has and has accomplished; his values; and his heart.
Produced by Kahiapo, the album contains tracks newly recorded and engineered by Chris Lau at his Rhythm and Roots Recording studio, and tracks previously recorded by Pierre Grill at Rendezvous Recording Studio and released on Kahiapo’s “Alana” and “One Heart, One Voice” albums. Guest artists include Jesse Rivera (backup vocals on “Aloha Kaua”), Kelly Boy De Lima (backup vocals on “Glorify Thy Name/Come Oh Lord”), Leon Siu (slack key guitar on “Amazing Grace”), and Kumu Hula Chinky Mahoe doing the opening chant and ‘ōlelo (Hawaiian language) scripture reading on “Pule”.
The CD is currently available at Me Ke Aloha. Wider release through other online and retail outlets will follow.
(Note: the painting used for the cover art is by Hawai'i's nature artist and environmentalist Patrick Ching.)
A professional musician since the age of 17, Kahiapo is also an ordained minister who has officiated at weddings in addition to performing at them. His love and devotion to his friends and family, and to Hawai’i’s people, land, and culture are evident not only in his songs, but also in how he lives: he volunteers for countless projects and he sits on the governing boards of a variety of organizations; from PBS Hawaii, to the North Shore Community Land Trust, to Jack and Kim Johnson’s Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation, and more. Musically, he has contributed his talents to over 80 recording projects, and has collaborated and performed with artists from the internationally acclaimed Jack Johnson to fellow GRAMMY® Award winner Cyril Pahinui; the Sunday Mānoa’s Palani Vaughan, and many more. He is a fixture at slack key festivals all over the U.S. and abroad, and the demand for both his slack key and vocal talents has expanded to include the recording of numerous jingles and theme songs for radio and television ads.
Kawaiola is a reflection of his gratitude for all he has and has accomplished; his values; and his heart.
Produced by Kahiapo, the album contains tracks newly recorded and engineered by Chris Lau at his Rhythm and Roots Recording studio, and tracks previously recorded by Pierre Grill at Rendezvous Recording Studio and released on Kahiapo’s “Alana” and “One Heart, One Voice” albums. Guest artists include Jesse Rivera (backup vocals on “Aloha Kaua”), Kelly Boy De Lima (backup vocals on “Glorify Thy Name/Come Oh Lord”), Leon Siu (slack key guitar on “Amazing Grace”), and Kumu Hula Chinky Mahoe doing the opening chant and ‘ōlelo (Hawaiian language) scripture reading on “Pule”.
The CD is currently available at Me Ke Aloha. Wider release through other online and retail outlets will follow.
(Note: the painting used for the cover art is by Hawai'i's nature artist and environmentalist Patrick Ching.)
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