May 27, 2016

Contributed by Nadine Lagaso

For haku mele – or composers – inspiration comes in a multitude of forms. Their poetic expressions develop into a range of pieces, some of which honor a specific person, the connection one has to ʻāina, and even the love and admiration felt towards another.

Five members of the Kamehameha Schools ‘ohana have been recognized for their original compositions as nominees in the Haku Mele category of the 39th Annual Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards presented by the Hawai‘i Academy of Recording Arts.

KS celebrates the nominees – made up entirely of alumni, staff – all of whom pay tribute to the past, which helps to perpetuate cultural traditions that are alive and well today.

The Haku Mele Award, one of four in the Hōkū’s adjudicated categories, is given to a composer or composers for the best first-release song or chant primarily in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi. Unlike most of the awards which are determined by voting members of the Hawai‘i Academy of Recording Arts, the haku mele honor is decided by a special judging committee of ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi and music specialists.

The mele and accompanying haku mele include:

• “He Aloha Nu‘uanu” by KS Data Analyst Dr. Lisa Takatsugi and KS Advertising and Direct Marketing Manager Chad Takatsugi (both KS alumni); from the album “Ahuwale”, Chad Takatsugi
• “He Wehi No Pauahi” by KS alumna Kahikina de Silva and Chad Takatsugi; from the album “Ahuwale”, Chad Takatsugi
• “Maunalua He Inoa” by KS Cultural Consultant Manu Boyd (a KS alumnus); from the album “Maunalua He Inoa”, Maunalua
• “Nani Ke Ao Nei” by KSK Music Kumu Lynell Bright; from the album “He Koa Mau a Mau”, Kamehameha Children’s Chorus
• “Rose Onaona” by Chad Takatsugi; from the album “Ahuwale”, Chad Takatsugi

“In regards to ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, I believe it is important when you have new compositions yearly,” said KS Cultural Specialist Hau‘oli Akaka, who is slated to represent KS in presenting the Haku Mele Award this year. "It’s proof that it is a living language."

“When contemporary haku mele try to emulate and look to those in the past for inspiration, it reinforces the life and vibrancy of our ʻōlelo.”

It’s the life and vibrancy of ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi that Akaka shared that makes the presentation to a member of the KS ‘ohana even more special, adding how each person is an example of the outcomes KS is working to achieve as a Native Hawaiian organization.

“Having all five nominees for such a prestigious award tied to the organization, elevates the importance of Kamehameha Schools’ commitment and investment in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi,” Akaka said.

“These haku mele are proof that if we’re not creating from both present expressions and applying what ancestral wisdom and knowledge that is already there, then it’s not a living language.”

For the nominees, wisdom and knowledge passed along from their mentors, coupled with personal experiences have proven to be a recipe for composition success.

Influenced by kumu hula Māpuana de Silva and her husband Kīhei de Silva, Lisa Takatsugi said that through decades of learning about compositions through hula and ‘ōlelo, the hālau offered a wealth of knowledge and insight into Hawaiian viewpoints.

She pays tribute to her kumu with a special paukū in “He Aloha Nu‘uanu,” and said that another highlight of composing the mele was being able to dedicate a verse to husband and co-composer, Chad Takatsugi.

“It is subtle, and the reference could even be missed completely,” she said. “The song can be translated very easily, but the kaona for me, is so special and runs so deep.”

Once composed, haku mele find it in them to share their mele, a process that doesn’t come easy for all. It’s that willingness to share, and work with someone to help paka, or critique the piece, that gives each composition life.

“I feel that Ke Akua has given a special gift to every person and they need to share that with the world,” said Lynell Bright, haku mele of “Nani Ke Ao Nei,” which speaks of the mural at the KS Kapālama Elementary School campus.

“There is a voice and a song in all of us that can be shared whether it is through mele, writing, acting, sports, dance, or even speech. We all have something special that the world needs to see, hear, or feel and we need to share that.”

Though among a list of over 30 awards, the nominees recognize the importance and value such honor brings to not only the art of haku mele but the culture it derives from.

“To see that the traditional practice of haku mele is honored every year at the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards ceremony reinforces the idea Hawaiʻi is Hawaiʻi because of our people and our culture,” said Chad Takatsugi, a finalist in seven Hōkū categories for his album “Ahuwale.”

“It acknowledges that the cultural origins steeped in pride and honor are what make us different from any other society in the world.

“That uniqueness is critical to kānaka finding our place in Hawaiʻi and the larger global community and defining for ourselves what it means to be ʻōiwi.”

The 39th Annual Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards are slated for Saturday, May 28 at the Hawai‘i Convention Center. Hulō to all members of the Kamehameha Schools ʻohana who received nominations! For a complete list of this year’s nominees, click here.

To see that the traditional practice of haku mele is honored every year at the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards ceremony reinforces the idea Hawaiʻi is Hawaiʻi because of our people and our culture. It acknowledges that the cultural origins steeped in pride and honor are what make us different from any other society in the world.
KS Advertising and Direct Marketing Manager Chad Takatsugi

Five members of the KS ‘ohana have been recognized for their original song compositions as nominees in the Haku Mele category of the Annual Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards. Among them are Advertising and Direct Marketing Manager Chad Takatsugi (left) and KS Cultural Consultant Manu Boyd (right), both KS alumni. KS Cultural Specialist Hauʻoli Akaka (center) will represent KS in presenting the Haku Mele Award to this year’s recipient.

Composer/vocalist Chad Takatsugi said that his goal for his album “Ahuwale” was to show that Hawaiian music, ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, and storytelling traditions of haku mele are alive, relevant and thriving today.
Credit: Chad Takatsugi

“He Koa Mau A Mau” features mele that KSK Music Kumu Lynell Bright and the KS Children’s Chorus have sung over the past five years. The mele were written for several staff members who have retired.
Credit: Lynell Bright

Also, KS Multimedia Publishing Specialist Kanaiʻa Nakamura is a nominee in the Graphics Award category for his design of Maunalua’s album, “Maunalua He Inoa.”
Credit: Maunalua