Haili Church Choir
Haili Church Choir was established in 1902, and is affiliated with Haili Church in Hilo, on the island of Hawaii, in the U.S. state of Hawaii. In 2001, the choir was inducted into the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame in recognition of its promoting and developing music endemic to the Hawaiian culture. Several members of the choir have gone on to achieve commercial and cultural success in the genre of Hawaiian music.
History
The choir was begun in 1902 by local Hilo music teacher Harry K. Naope Sr. For the indigenous population, belonging to a church choir was a natural extension of the musical culture and training that was part of the Hawaiian home life. In the Hawaiian language, the term mele denotes both ancient chants and also songs.[1] With limited resources and no hymn books to rely on, Naope improvised by copying the individual meles, which he translated from English into the Hawaiian language, onto a single piece of paper tacked up on the walls. Choir members committed the meles to memory. Haili differed from the old missionary choirs in that Naope incorporated secular meles into the choir's repertoire. The choir became known for its a cappella style, developed of necessity in the early days of sporadic instrumental accompaniment.[2]
Cultural influence
The choir was inducted into the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame in 2001. Credited with being a nurturing and influential environment for Hawaiian culture and music, the choir has produced many accomplished artists, some of whom are also inductees of the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame.[3]
Thomas Kihei Desha Brown (1925–1978) was an established band leader and falsetto singer who received his early training in the choir. Composer Albert Po'ai Nahale-a Sr (1910–1970) had been one of the choir's ministers of music. Recording artist Anuhea Audrey Brown (born 1922) was the choir's piano accompanist for two decades, beginning in the 1940s.[4] Falsetto vocalist George Kainapau (1905–1992), who made his first recording in 1929 with Sol Hoʻopiʻi and Andy Iona, also received his early training in the choir.[5]
Coloratura soprano Helen Desha Beamer (1882–1952) had served as the church organist. Beamer herself was the matriarch of a family that produced celebrated performers in Hawaiian music. Hall of fame falsetto singer Mahi Beamer (1929–) is her grandson, while her granddaughter is "Auntie Nona" Winona Beamer . Brothers Keola Beamer and Kapono Beamer are her great-grandsons.[6]
References
- ^ "Hula and mele". Hawaiian Encyclopedia. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
- ^ "Haili Choir history". Haili Church. Archived from the original on February 24, 2012. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
- ^ "Haili Church Choir". Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
- ^ "Hawaiian musicians shine at Stars". Honolulu Advertiser. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
- ^ "George Kainapau". Hawaiian Music History. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
- ^ "Helen Desha Beamer". Hawaiian Music History. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
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- Albert "Sonny" Cunha
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- Haunani Kahalewai
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- Songs honored: Hawaii Aloha, Ua Like No A Like, Kaulana Na Pua, Makalapua and Na Ali`i
- Maddy Lam
- Hawaiian Chanters: Keaulumoku, Ka`opulupulu, Kapoukahi, Kapihe and Hewahewa
- Haili Church Choir
- Genoa Keawe
- Songs honored: Alika, Kalama'ula, Wehiwehi 'Oe
- Alfred Alohikea
- Kahauanu Lake Trio
- Bill Ali'iloa Lincoln
- Henry W. Waia`u
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- Peter Moon
- Marlene Sai
- John Pi'ilani Watkins
- Joseph Ae'a
- Elizabeth "Lizzie" Kahau Kauanui Alohikea
- Anuhea Audrey Brown
- Thomas Kihei Desha Brown
- Alice Angeline Johnson
- John Keola Lake
- Albert Po'ai Nahale-a Sr.
- Leo Nahenahe Singers
- Palani Vaughan
- James Kaʻupena Wong
- Hui Ohana
- Thomas Sylvester Kalama
- Dennis Kamakahi
- Ma'iki Aiu Lake
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- Akoni Mika
- Alice Namakelua
- Olomana
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- Ka Leo Hawai‘i
- George Kainapau
- Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau
- George Na'ope
- Harry Owens
- Song honored: Hawaii Ponoi
- Kamaka Hawaii, Inc. (ukulele maker)
- Matthew H. Kane
- Iolani Luahine
- Napua Stevens
- Don Ho
- Lokalia Montgomery
- Lei Collins
- Halekulani Girls (Alice Fredlund, Sybil Bright Andrews, Linda Dela Cruz)
- Jerry Byrd
- Darrell Lupenui
- Thaddius Wilson
- O'Brian Eselu
- Johnny Noble
- Jean “Kini” Sullivan
- John Kaimikaua
- Mamo Howell
- Danny Kaleikini
- Richard “Babe” Bell
- The Isaacs ‘Ohana
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- Krash Kealoha
- Jacqueline "Skylark" Rossetti
- Kimo Kahoano
- Karen Keawehawai’i
- Melveen Leed
- Israel Kamakawiwoʻole
- Beamer ‘Ohana (Nona, Keola, Kapono)
- Bray ‘Ohana (Daddy and Lydia Bray)
- Ho‘opi‘i Brothers (Richard and Solomon)
- Kahananui ‘Ohana (Dorothy Kahananui and Dorothy Gillett)
- Saichi Kawahara
- Literary award: He Mele Aloha: A Hawaiian Songbook (Vicky Hollinger, Kimo Hussey, Puakea Nogelmeier, Carol Wilcox), The Queen’s Songbook (Dorothy Kahananui Gillett, Barbara Smith and Hui Hanai)
- Pua Haʻaheo
- Marta Hohu
- Leila Hohu Kiaha
- David “Feet” Rogers
- Harry B. Soria Jr.
- Kauʻi Zuttermeister
- Hawaiian Room musicians from the Lexington Hotel, NYC
- Paused due to the global pandemic
- Jules Ah See
- Kihei de Silva
- Mapuana de Silva
- Kawaikapuokalani Hewitt
- David Kalama
- Makua Laiana
- Lorenzo Lyons
- Mary P. Robins