Kainani Kahaunaele, Kaua‘i – The People. The Place.

Along the golden sands of east Kaua‘i, Kainani Kahaunaele sings about Kalalea, the striking mountain above Anahola, where she grew up. “One of our most beloved traditions is Hawaiian music. It’s the communication of the person to the environment. We love to sing about the highest mountains, about each island, about our home.”

Kainani is an award-winning musician and a Hawaiian language and music teacher at the University of Hawai‘i. While she lives in Hilo on the Island of Hawai‘i, she loves to come back home to Kaua‘i to visit her ‘ohana. Growing up, Hawaiian music was her foundation - from Ke Akua Mana Church, where every hymn was sung in the Hawaiian language, to the music of her mother, Lady Ipo Kahaunaele, who was part of the Hawaiian music renaissance era.

When Kainani performs, whether it’s at an intimate gathering at Hanalei Strings or an open-air concert at Bishop Museum, her goal is connection, education and the revitalization of the Hawaiian language. There once was a time when ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i (Hawaiian language) was on the brink of extinction. Mele (Hawaiian song) helped to keep the language alive while perpetuating the stories and knowledge of the past. “The Hawaiian language is the language of our ancestors. It’s the language of this land. So, within mele, the language goes unbroken.”

While she knows visitors may not understand the words, she hopes they enjoy the music and add Hawaiian songs to their playlists to remind them of the special people and places they encountered on their journey. “When you visit Hawai‘i, take the time to listen. Be mindful and be a part of the brilliant harmony of these islands.”

Visit https://www.gohawaii.com to get to know the people and the places that make these islands so special.

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