ALBUM REVIEW
By John Berger - Honolulu Star Bulletin

Holunape's long-awaited debut album, "He'olu," won two major
Na Hoku Hanohano awards in 2006. The high quality of their second release makes them front-runners for similar recognition in 2009. It
would be an excellent choice next year for voters at the Grammys, as well.

The trio -- Kama Hopkins, Kekoa Kaluhiwa and Kanai'a Nakamura - honors tradition with their acoustic instrumentation, smooth Kamehameha School harmonies and their choice of material. They
bring it forward with new compositions.

The first selection does both. Hopkins adds lyrics to an Alvin Isaacs classic to create "Ahea No Ho'i La?/'Ano!" -- answering Isaac's question ("When?") with a self-assured answer: "Now!" The resulting medley presents them in top form as vocalists and musicians, and gets the
album off to a rousing start.

Purchase