Kainani Hartnett is a musician who teaches and performs with her ensemble, 'AHAmele here in the San Francisco Bay Area. We highlight the songs and compositions written by Queen Liliuokalani, her love for Hawaii and its native people, hula’s connection to lyrics, and beautiful Hawaiian culture.

QUEEN LILI'UOKALANI: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lili%CA%BBuokalani

KAINANI HARTNETT was born in Hilo, Hawai'i and later settled in Honolulu with her family. She was drawn to Hawaiian music and hula from an early age and it was what she turned to in college at University of Michigan when missing home. Kainani became the principal musician for a small hula troupe in Colorado and then moved to the Bay Area, where she joined the Academy of Hawaiian Arts (AHA) for hula in 2003. There, when some other dancers expressed interest in learning Hawaiian music, she started teaching a Hawaiian music ensemble, which became the performing group 'AHAmele. ("concert" in Hawaiian) Kumu Mark Ho'omalu's philosophy at AHA to "do your own and do it well" is the inspiration for 'Ahamele's unique arrangements of beloved hawaiian songs. He honored Kainani with the title of Kumu in 2018.

SONG LIST:

1. Lili'ue - Kawaikapuokalani Hewett

2. Waiomina - Live performance by AHAMele

3. Ahe Lau Makani - Herb Ohta Jr and Jon Yamasato

4. Queen's Jubliee - Shaun Gomban

5. Aloha 'oe - Tia Carrere

6. Ku'u Pua i Paoakalani - Lito Arkangel

BACKGROUND MUSIC :

Stagger Lee (I Killed Billy To Save Us All) Instrumental - Aireene Espiritu/Edward Tree