Music of Hawai'i: A Basic Calabash Quiz

Answer: False

Hula is danced by both "kane" (men) and "wahine" (women).

The image of the "hula girl" is a stereotype popularized by the shows put on in the resort area of Waikiki. Certainly, a bikini-clad beauty is a welcome sight, but a more voluptuous, full-figured woman can accentuate the hip movements better than a slim girl. Some of the most beautiful dancers in competition have been of a larger, fuller figure.

Men have always been dancers of hula. In fact, some traditional hula have ceremonial and religious purposes, and may be danced only by men.

Answer: Portugal

Portuguese from the Azores and Madeira Islands emigrated to Hawai'i en masse starting in 1878 to work in the sugarcane fields. It's believed that the braguinha or cavaquinho was modified and retuned to create the first ukulele. The fours strings are usually tuned G, C, E, and A.

Answer: jumping flea

"uku" means head lice, and "lele" means to leap or jump. This mysterious combination leaves most music historians stumped, but one theory is that the musician's fingers pluck with a rapid energy that resemble jumping fleas.

Although "pineapple box" is an incorrect answer, there is a "pineapple ukulele," with an oval-shaped body rather than the typical figure-eight shape.

Answer: Queen Lili'uokalani

Queen Lili'uokalani, on her way home from her summer palace on the Windward side of O'ahu, witnessed the sad parting of a lovestruck couple on a mountain pass. This inspired her to write the song, with its "parting is such sweet sorrow" message.

The last Queen of the Hawaiian Kingdom, she was overthrown by British and American businessmen and placed under house arrest. Her kingdom was later ruled by a provisional republic, and then became a territory of the United States in 1900, and the 50th state in 1959.

Her brothers King Kalakaua and Prince Leleiohoku, and her sister Princess Likelike were all musically gifted. Collectively, they were known as Nalani'eha, "The Heavenly Four."

Answer: Bing Crosby's "Sweet Leilani"

"Sweet Leilani" won the Oscar in 1937. It was sung in the movie, "Waikiki Wedding." It was written and composed by Harry Owens, a prolific songwriter who helped establish the "hapa haole" genre of Hawaiian music, which most tourists will recognize as "Hawaiian music" from luaus and hula shows in Waikiki.

Interestingly, "Blue Hawaii" was also written for "Waikiki Wedding," and was later popularized by Elvis.

"Hawaiian Rollercoaster Ride" was popular in "Lilo & Stitch," but didn't win any Oscars.

Answer: steel guitar

It's said that Joseph Kekuku started experimenting with sliding metal objects, like the back of a pocketknife or a bolt, across the strings of a guitar laid on his lap in the late 1800s. The twangy sound became his trademark, and the steel guitar was born.

Answer: Japan

Bon-Odori, or Bon Dance, is celebrated during summer at Japanese Buddhist temples and shrines all over the state. Japanese people believe that ancestral spirits come back once a year to visit this world, so people provide food at graves and entertain them with dancing.

The Bon Dance has become a much-anticipated event in Hawaii for people of all cultures. English songs have been integrated into the song list, with choreography that resembles line dancing. Like a lot of things in Hawaii, the tradition evolves into something uniquely local.

Answer: "Over the Rainbow" and "What a Wonderful World"

Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's local hit caught the attention of mainland directors, who were enraptured by the singer's clear yet ethereal voice. His song has appeared in movies like "Meet Joe Black" and "Finding Forrester." It also was the song in the eToys commercial campaign, and was the song in the death scene of Dr. Greene in TV's "E.R."

Ironically, the singer never enjoyed the fruits of his success. Burdened by extreme obesity and related health problems, "Bruddah Iz" passed away in 1997, well before his single caught the attention of the world. However, his voice lives on through his recordings.

Answer: Reggae

I guess it seems natural that music from tropical islands would lend themselves to fusion. People in the early 1990s were hooked to the catchy rhythm, laid-back melody, and liquid lyrics. Musicians like Ho'onua, B.E.T., Fiji, and Natural Vibrations flooded the airwaves and brought back an active modern Hawaiian music scene.

Answer: Hawaii Calls

Webley Edwards was a football player who came with this college team to play the University of Hawai'i. The visit made such an impression on him that he came back to produce a radio show.

"Hawaii Calls" aired from 1935 to 1975. Famous guests included Alfred Apaka, Haunani Kahalewai, Martin Denny, and Hilo Hattie. It was usually recorded outside the Moana Hotel, in the Banyan courtyard. This program did much to encourage Americans to visit the islands (imagine hearing Hawaiian music in the dead of winter in Minnesota, and you can understand the allure).

I hope this tour of Hawaiian music has informed and amused you. Aloha pumehana...