You've heard "Mele Kalikimaka" before and no doubt heard the song many times (especially this time of year), but it doesn't actually mean "Merry Christmas." It was a phonetic translation into Hawaiian of the holiday Christian missionaries introduced to the Islands a couple centuries ago. "Mele" in Hawaiian means "chant" and it has evolved to mean "song."
The laundry list titled Reasons Living in Hawaii is Fantastic runs very long, but high up on it? "Mele" is in the air. Literally. Seems no matter where you go, someone's playing an instrument, someone else is singing, or they're collaborating. No wonder karaoke is our official state pastime.
I seek out live music, but I stumble across it often. This past weekend I hit Kahala Mall to pick up a Jamba after doing the Koko Tracks hike and I was thrilled to hear a familiar falsetto emanating from the center courtyard. Amy Hanaialii Gilliom, a Hawaiian music star, was performing in support of her new album, which is up for a Hawaiian Music Grammy. I got a snippet of her performing one of her classics, "Palehua," which is so beautiful it'll make you cry.
When you visit Hawaii, there's no shortage of opportunity to hear Hawaiian music performed, especially in Waikiki. If you want to schedule it though, Chai's Island Bistro has an impressive line-up of local talent weekly — The Brothers Cazimero, Hoku Zuttermeister, Sista Robi and Melveen Leed are regulars, and special guests drop in. Plus, the food is wonderful. It's a win-win.
