I had a great time chasing versions of "Kananaka" through YouTube and the rest of the web. I started with Sonny Chillingworth's version on "Sonny Solo" - a very spare melody and accompaniment. But I was also familiar with Ale`a's uptempo version from Lynn's hula buddies. Then I found Keali`i Reichel doing a rather different melody, one I found in several Maui performances. These three were just the beginning, my head was spinning.
Fortunately I stumbled over the Hawaiian Legacy Foundation, the one Maliko pointed out: www.taropatch.net/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=11733 The version of "Kananaka" there identified the author as Eddie Kamae's grandmother!! And the material included a video of the hula and chant she composed!!! With that information I knew I would have to base my version on the Maui melody which was the closest to that chant.
Long story long, here's a version of "Kananaka" in slack key style, shot at Ka `Elepulu Pond (or Enchanted Lake as it is now called):
"Kananaka" at Ka `Elepulu
Posted - 07/30/2022 : 09:39:46 AM
