“Na Mele Hawai`i Punahele”
(Favorite Hawaiian Songs)

“Na Mele Hawai`i Punahele” (Favorite Hawaiian Songs) is Keith & Carmen’s first all-Hawaiian CD in seven years – since the release of “`Ukulele Lady” on Pumehana Records label in 1995. This Island Viking release (IVCD 102) includes 20 songs in 16 cuts, featuring some all-time favorites from their repertoire of “old” Hawaiian songs, hence the title. Added to that list are some of Keith’s previously unrecorded Hawaiian lyric songs, a two of his most popular compositions in reprise.

“Some of the songs we’ve included are among those most often requested by our fans at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, where we’ve been singing and dancing the old favorites for almost 17 years,” Haugen said. “You’ll h ear He Punahele No `Oe, Sanoe, `Ainahau, `Iniki Malie, Halawa/Moloka`i Waltz, Pulupe Nei `Ili I Ke Anu, plus Hawai`i Aloha and Aloha `Oe – both sung in their entirety.” There are songs for Hawai`i, Maui, O`ahu, Kaua`i, and Moloka`i, a hymn, a patriotic song, waltzes, love songs and more. You’ll hear the original (1929) lyrics of the popular “I Kona.”

Among the Haugen songs on this new CD are “`O Ka Lei La`i,” believed to be the first song ever about the popular ti leaf lei; “Mokukaua,” a victory song and the fist song ever written about the USS Missouri; “Ka`u Mea Aloha,” which Keith wrote to a hundreds of years old tune used for such hit songs as “Aura Lea,” “Army Blue,” and “Love Me Tender.” Others include Haugen’s “Pua Karauna,” “Together Forever,” “Ho`okahi Mapuna Hoe,” and “Ke Ali`i Wahine Aloha,” which Keith wrote for and about Aunty Irmgard Farden Aluli.

The recording prominently features Gordon Manuel Freitas on guitar, bass, `ukulele, and un-amplified steel guitar. Freitas, who Haugen describes as one of the best guitarists and studio musicians in Hawai`i, is well known as a songwriter, storyteller and performer who can be heard at the Halekulani Hotel, the Willows, on the Star of Honolulu, and at Cheeseburgers in Paradise. He was featured also on “CordellCountry” and

“Lest We Forget.”

The CD is dedicated to Carmen’s Native Hawaiian mother, Mary (Lolina Char Ko) Sarmiento, who still plays `ukulele at 88, performing with an Alu Like senior citizens group on Maui, where she was born and raised. It is distributed by Music Craft Distributors of Hawai`i.

”Na Mele Hawai`i Punahele” marks 15 years of recordings from the Island Viking label, and 25 years for Keith & Carmen in the recording business. They’ve been performing in Waikiki for 30 years – at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel since March 1986.

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The Songs

Cut Title (composer) Key Time

1. Hawai`I Aloha (Lyons/McGranahan) F 3:34

2. He Punahele No `Oe (Nahalea) A 4:30

3. Ke Ali`I Wahine Aloha (Haugen) A 3:08

4. In Your Eyes/E `Ike Mai (Haugen/Haugen) D 3:25

5. Mokukaua (Haugen) A 2:05

6. Pulupe Nei `Ili I Ke Anu/Together Forever) A 4:12
(traditional/Haugen)

7. Halawa/Moloka`I Waltz C 4:14
(Hanakahi/traditional)

8. `Ainahau (Princess Likelike) G 2:48

9. `O Ka Lei La`i/Pua Karauna C/F 4:32
(Haugen/Haugen)

10. Kalena (traditional) A 2:57

11. Ho`okahi Mapuna Hoe (Haugen) E 2:59

12. I Kona (Kelepolo) C 3:21

13. `Iniki Malie (traditional) F 3:35

14. Sanoe (Queen Lili`uokalani) G 2:45

15. Ka`u Mea Aloha (Haugen/traditional) F 3:56

16. Aloha `Oe (Queen Lili`uokalani/Charles D 4:34
Crozat Converse)