Ka Pilina... is our relationship, yours and mine. He iwi, he 'i'o, he koko... for we are of the same bones, flesh and blood. Our great, great, great grandparents came from Kohala on the Big Island of Hawai'i. They were Komomua (k) and Ko'a (w). Of their three children, Wahineali'i (w) married a man by the name of Akona, and they became our great, great grandparents. Teresa Ha'aheoholaniakona, their daughter, is my great grandmother and John Awa Akona, their son, is your great grandfather.

Ka Pilina... is our relationship to the legends, chants and songs in this collection of our history. I honor the names of our ancestors with compositions that recount the past. For we are also of Hinaakeahi (w) and Kaneluamealani (k) and their daug hter Keakaolono. We are from Pele (w) and Kamapua'a (k) and their son 'Opelunuikauha'alilo; from Kanikaniaula (w) and Kakae (k) and their daughter Kamakaalaneo; from La'ielohelohe (w) and and Pi'ilani (k) and their son Kihaapi'ilani. Their names, their re lationshops and their descendants are preserved in the Mo'oku'auhau of Kanaheleaumoku and they are perpetuated by our music.

Ka Pilina... is our respect for our past and the challenges of our present. Our goals are like the rising sun, we move with it across the sky until it sets into the twilight. WE must be dynamic, create anew and progress into the future. We cannot go backwards. This was never the intent of our ancestors. Our kuleana is to carry on their legacy. Our music is not only new, but is is us, you and me. It is presented in a manner and style that we have created as a part of our legacy and for the future of our descendents. The creations of our ancestors became our history. One day our works will be the history of the future.

Ka Pilina... is our relationship to those who appear with us on the cover picture. Behind you is your grandmother Lilia Ma'ema'e Jones Halualani; behind her is your great, great grandmother Nakua'ea, wife of John Awa Akona. Behine me is my granmoth er Iwa Wahineali'i Rowan Kana'e and behind her is my great grandmother Teresa Ha'aheoholani Akona. They the past and we the present, along with our children, the future, are featured through different aspects of this recording.

Ka Pilina... is our relationship tp those people that have helped to make this collection of songs on this recording a reality. Those people who not only believed in our concept, but who have now become part of our family. Kit Ebersbach, who engin eered the recording project, did all of the sound effects and also played the piano. Ben Vegas who played the guitar, Noel Okimoto who played drums and percussion, Steve Jones who played the bass, Milan Bertosa who did the final mixing of our recording, a nd you, Teresa, who not only sang and chanted, but arranged all of the music, produced, and directed this project.

The Artists

Kawaikapuokalani K. Hewett - A serious and sensitive artist, Frank creates from spirit and self knowledge. His traditional education comes from a family rich in Hawaiian hula, culture and arts. His compositions concern a wide range of history, fro m the time of creation to the modern days of now! As a kumu hula, Frank taught Hawaiian language and culture at the University of Hawai'i for many years before leaving to produce a variety of cuturally-based entertainment shows throughout the islands. I a m proud to be associated with him both professionally though this presentation and personally through the shared knowledge of our mutual ancestry. Mahalo, Frank for your inspiration and vision.

Teresa Naniali'i Bright - Teresa has been a formidable force on the Hawaiian music scene since her solo debut in 1990 with Self Portrait, which won her several of the prestigious "Na Hoku Hanohano" awards, including "Best Female Vocalist Of The Year". Since then she has released Painted Tradition and A Bright Hawaiian Christmas, once again to wide recognition and acclaim. Her arrangements on this recording reflect her own unique style and phrasing which have made her and island favorite for years. Now with her debut as a producer, island audiences have yet another way to appreciate her many extraordinary talents.

Na Mele

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• He Akua Malihini Pele O Ka Lua / Mai Kahiki Pele
• Nani Wale Ku'u 'Ike o Ha'ena
• Kamali'i O Ka Po
• Pi'i Ke Kai
• Kahikilani
• Popo'alaea
• He Mele No 'Ele'io
• E Hia'ai I Ka Nani O Hopoe / Hopoe
• La'ieikawai
• Tut Kana'e
• Tutu Lullaby

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