"Maiki Aiu Lake is considered to have been one of the greatest and most influential kumu hula of the second half of the 20th century. Her husband [Kahauanu Lake] is also highly revered as an uncompromising guardian of traditionalist Hawaiian music. The Kahauanu Lake Trio was founded in 1935, and was an institution for 15 years at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.
This disc is Hula Records' tribute to kumu hula Maiki Aiu Lake. The first 12 tracks are chants, all but one performed by her, recorded over a period of several years. the final seven are songs that were of the auana (modern) music repertoire of the Halau Hula O Maiki and performed here by her [husband's group].
The release is significant and the [enclosed 32-page] booklet also makes the recording an outstanding introduction to the cultural milieu of hula. It includes an introduction by producer Don McDiarmid, Jr. that reveals the circumstances surrounding Lake's stipulations on recording the chants, and a biography by Ka‘upena Wong that appraises Lake's significance as a kumu hula and places her in historical perspective. There are also numerous photographs of her mentors, peers, and some of her notable students [now respected teachers in their own right].
The booklet also contains the text of the chants in Hawaiian and English, and additional information on the significance and context of each. Similar information is provided for each of the songs. A two-page list of additional references on hula, chant, Hawaiian history and language completes the booklet..." – John Berger, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 11/29/92
Album Titles:
(press play to hear samples)
- Mele Aloha
- Kunihi Ka Mauna I Ka La'i E
- Noho Ana 'O Laka I Ka Uluwehi
- E Pele
- Kaulilua I Ke Anu Wai'ale'ale
- A Ko'olau Au Ike I Ka Ua
- 'Au'a 'Ia
- Ho'opuka I Kai Ka La'i Unulau
- No Luna I Ka Hale Ki O Kama'alewa
- Pu'u Onioni
- Ia 'Oe E Ka La E 'Alohi Nei
- E Ho'i Ke Aloha O Ni'ihau
- Nani Wale Ku'u 'Ike
- Pua Lililehua
- Pua Ahihi
- A'oia
- Wahine Hololio
- Hawaiian Swing Medley of the 1930s: Hapa-Haole Hula Girl/I Wonder Where My Little Hula Girl Has Gone/Hula Lolo
- Maile Lei
- Ku'u Hoa Hololio
- Aloha Kaua'i
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