Hawaiian reggae music is often referred to as "Jawaiian" music: a fusion of Jamacian and Hawaiian reggae. English is Jawaiian's predominant language, it may also be partially or even fully in Hawaiian. According to Ku'ualoha Ho 'Omanawanui's article on Jawaiian music, "From Ocean to O-shen," she categorizes "Old School" Jawaiian music as the early 1980s to early 90s. For my playlist, I chose artists who were the first to mix the reggae sound with Hawaiian music. These Old School artists; Butch Helemano, Burddah Walter, Ho'aikane, and Kapena paved the way for New School artists. As the popularity of Jawaiian music spread, many of the popular New School artists hail from different parts of the Pacific. Though most artists are still from Hawaii there are a few like, Fiji, O-Shen, and Ooklah the Moc.
Jawaiian Music Playlist
1996-Robie Kahakalau-Pi'i Mai ka Nalu (Surf's Up)
1999-Butch Helemano- Only the Strong (Strictly Reggae)
2003-Bruddah Waltah- Sweet Lady of Waiahole
2004-Mana'o Company-Drop Baby Drop/Who Loves You Pretty Baby
2007-Typical Hawaiians- World Goes Round
2007-J Boog- Ganga Farmer
2009- Typical Hawaiians-
2010-The Green- Love I
2010-Ho'okoa- Ups and Downs
Some Traditionalist view Jawaiian music as a marker of the demise of traditional Hawaiian music, but Jawaiian music has become a form of expression that many can relate to. Jawaiian music is not exclusionary in the sense that many of the themes and lyrics pertain to everyday life. Traditional Hawaiian music, sung in Hawaiian, can sometimes be difficult for non- Hawaiian speakers to relate to. In turn Jawaiian music becomes, "Local" music, music for all kinds of Hawaiian people. According to Professor Stillman in the November issue of Honolulu Magazine, "It's expressing thoughts and sentiments that are relevant, in a musical language that is relevant."
Patois and Pidgin
When listening to many reggae songs here in Hawaii, I notice that many of the artists sing with a "Jamaican" or West Indian accent known as patois, while others have lyrics using Hawaiian Pidgin. A popular Hawaiian radio program on KTUH FM Honolulu called "Moku Vibes" featured a discussion about island culture and language in both the Pacific and the Caribbean. In Hawaiian, "moku" means island. This particular episode deals with comparing Hawaii Pidgin to Jamaican patois, and it was originally on April 29, 2008.
Example:
Mainland English: "He's the boss of the workers"
Hawaii Pidigin: "He da boss fo' da worka guys"
Jamacian Patois: "Him a di boss fi di worka dem"
You can listen to the original broadcast here.
If you like, check out Honolulu's Magazine Article on 100 Years of Hawaiian Music!
Works Cited and Playlist Album Information
Keany, Michael. "100 Years of Hawaiian Music." Honolulu Magazine Nov. 2010. Web
'Omanawanui, Ho Ku'ualoha. "From Ocean to O-Shen." Ed. Tiya Miles and Sharon P. Holland.
Crossing Waters, Crossing Worlds: the African Diaspora in Indian Country. Durham (C.):
Duke UP, 2006. 272-304. Print.
"Talking Jamacian 3." Mokupuni Vibes. Myspace.com, 20 May 2008. Web 24. 2001.
<http://www.myspace.com/mokuvibes/blog>.
Picture of Brother Noland <http://windward.hawaii.edu/hoolaulea/2009/Brother_Noland.jpg>
Kalohe Kai Tour Poster <http://www.djara.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Kolohe-Kai-Tour-Poster- cropped.jpg>
Kapena Picture (orginally from Bishop Mueseum)<http://www.honolulumagazine.com/images/2010/Nov10/100Years/BM_Kapena_205424.jpg>
All song information is as follows: artist, song, title of album, record company, and date of publication.
Brother Noland
Coconut Girl
Brother Noland: A Collection of his Greatest Hits
Mountain Apple
1995
R54866
Butch Helemano
Wave Rider
Strictly Reggae
Hula Records
R 815198
1999
Bob Marley
Redemption Song
Tuff Gong
R 103785
1980
Leahi
Island Girls
Island Girls
Rose Records
B000001ZZU
2002
Kapena
Reggae Train
Styln'
Kde
R177994
1990
Brother Noland
Urban Island
Sun Daddy
Mountain Apple Company
B0030DHC8C
1993
Natural Vibrations
Change
All Natural
Cinnamon Red Productions
R805763
1996
Robie Kahakalau
Pi'i Mai ka Nalu (Surf's Up)
Sistah Robie
Punahele Productions
B00002JV48
1996
Sean Na'auao
Fish and Poi
Now Serving Fish and Poi
Fat Katz Productions
R805757
1997
Marty Dread
Walking in Kingston
Reggae Suite
Ord
R1022803
1998
Fiji
Tribal War
Gratitude
Ricochet Records
R566177
1999
Butch Helemano
Only the Strong (Strictly Reggae)
Strictly Reggae
Hula Records
R815198
1999
Opihi Pickers
Old Fashion
Beginnings
Go Aloha Entertainment
R806340
2001
Ooklah the Moc
Upon this Land
Ites Massive
Ghetto Circus Records
B001UCOKMG
2001
Princess Ilona
Ire
Princess Ilona CD
Honey
1079215
2002
Bruddah Waltah
Sweet Lady of Waiahole
Hawaiian Style, Vol. 2
Neos Productions
R635910
2002
Bruddah Waltah
Baby Please
Neos Production
B0000CDL5M
2003
O-Shen
Ku'u Pua (Wai O Ke Aniani)
Faya
Sharpnote Records
B0010VNEYC
2004
Mana'o Co
Drop Baby Drop
Palm Records
B001AM6H5E
2004
CMH World Redemption Song
Redemption Song
CMH Records
B000TQXD0
2006
B.E.T.
Trust in Me
Galmiche Entertainment
B001775NLQ
2007
Typical Hawaiians
World Goes Round
World Goes Round
World Sound
B000WS4PVA
2007
J Boog
Ganja Farmer
Hear Me Roar
South Pac Entertainment
R 1215422
2007
Dani Girl
Fed Up
It's About Time
Island Soul Entertainment
R1347571
2008
Rebel Soljahz
Skankin'
Go Aloha Entertainment
B001BMLH40
2008
Typical Hawaiians
Honolulu City Life (Roots Version)
Piece of the Aina
THP
B002HRH3B8
2009
Kalohe Kai
Cool Down
This is the Life
Go Aloha Entertainment
B0036VJ7N6
2009
Kalohe Kai
This is the Life
This is the Life
Go Aloha Entertainment
B0036VJ7N6
2009
Conscious Roots
When Babylon Falls
Conscious Roots
9th Island Records
R 1937181
2010
J Boog
Let's Do it Again
Major Riddim (Don Corleon Presents)
Don Corleon Records
B003U0RK6Y
2010
The Green Band
Love I
The Green
SHD
R 1795156
2010
Ho’okoa
Ups and Downs
Ups and Downs
Ups and Downs
Malama Music Company
B00410C7TW
2010
Despite living in Hawaii, I never really got to know Jawaiian Music. The only Hawaiian music genres I keep up with are Slack Key guitar. I have heard of Brother Noland and this blog is somewhat helpful in introducing the main artists in Jawaiian. However I’m not sure I’ll keep up with Jawaiian even after this project
ReplyDeleteI am choosing your play-list for the first question of our assignment. I chose usher because it is something that I listen to on my daily basis. I would add Maoli Write Me A Letter.
ReplyDeleteI'm choosing your playlist for assignment #8, for the first question. Living here in Hawai'i were blessed for being exposed to such great local musicians and their great music. The only songs that I would add to your playlist would be: Victim by Opihi Pickers, Tears on my pillow by Pi'ilani Arias, and I'm yours by the green. Great job
ReplyDeleteI'm using your playlist for the 3rd question. I heard for one song, but I won't be listening to Reggae. The only time I do listen to it if it's playing at a party. However, I do like the information you provide and it was very informative.
ReplyDeleteHow can I buy hawaii music frome the 80s and 90s?
ReplyDelete