KUANA TORRES KAHELE Lei Ana Niihau

I wrote LEI ANA NIIHAU as a mele ho'ohanohano or tribute to the ohana of Ni'ihau. It speaks of the beauty of each style of lei and honors the lei makers and devotion to this uniquely Hawaiian art.
As a kid growing up on the Big Island, I dreamed of Niihau, the Forbidden Isle and was drawn to the stories of it's treasured pupu.
We never really had a lot of money so owning a real Niihau Shell Lei seemed an impossibility. As a young musician, I was gifted my first shell lei as payment at a Ni'ihau party. I just about fainted. I think I smiled for a year straight and never took it off even to shower!
Mahalo ke Akua for bringing me to the Niihau Ohana and their allowing me into that world and teaching me the art of making lei pupu. Mahalo for their generosity and showering me in lei.
I dedicate my Niihau CD to my hanai Mom, Ane Kanahele for her loving heart and as my constant source of wisdom for all things Niihau.
I chose Miss Aloha Hula 2010, Mika Hirao Solem for the hula on my mele for this Hawaiian Skies filming. Mika has a unique elegance and grace about her which makes my music truly come alive.

[@valerielee5879]

beautiful mele beautiful hula dancer!

[@lizzimazal6088]

love that the words of the mele are superimposed on the performance of mele and hula...mai ka'i!!

[@tinniefresheats888]

We Love you!!! Simply Beautiful!!!

[@raiderfrankdatank]

amazing

[@小澤慶一]

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[@1124chichi]

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