KUPAAINA: Simple Island People

Kupaaina

Simple Island People

© 2004 Kototama Productions LLC (825346316321)

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A blend of traditional and contemporary Hawaiian music, chant, reggae, blues, folk, and spoken word.

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notes

We are honored to present for your listening and reading audience KUPA'AINA: SIMPLE ISLAND PEOPLE an album derived from a new band, a new production company, a charter school and a community of friends, family and supporters inspired by music, culture, consciousness and education.

Short History of the Contributors:

Kupa'aina, which essentially means "a people familiar with a place," is a group of musicians drawn together from various garages, living rooms and backyards between Kahalu'u and Waianae. We have a love for our islands and traditional Hawaiian music and a desire to share that love with a larger audience in neo-traditional ways.

Kototama Productions ( "word soul") the album's producer was established by attorneys, Derek Kamiya and Kevin Chang, who were looking to get out of the legal business before they started, Brian Chun-Ming a live sound engineer who just finished fighting in Iraq, Tunji Heath an elder entertainment icon and Kelli Heath, a young surfer/songwriter looking to ride new sonic-waves.

The students and staff of Halau Ku Mana New Century Public Charter School (HKM) through their own creative effort and initiative, have contributed to this project in both song and inspiration. One track is written and performed by the students, and another is written by school staff. HKM offers students alternatives in education using art, cultural values and practices and the natural environment as learning tools. A portion of album royalties will be go to the school, which currently is housed at Paradise Park as part of the new up-and-coming native Hawaiian cultural center.

All of these groups continue to evolve as self-produced, self-funded, self-determined, do-it-yourself entities.


Kupa'aina's initial recording experience was as the first Hawaiian music band among the many characters hanging out at the independent grunge/punk/jazz/reggae environment of Junk Music Studios a live recording and performance space owned by Tunji Heath. Some band members made their first solo debuts on the Mana Maoli album produced by Kelli Heath of HKM. HKM often draws upon the art and music community for interaction and inspiration in the classroom. The relationships between band, production team members and the school have continued to evolve through concerts, fundraisers and class presentations culminating in Kupa'aina's first album.

We hope this album will express to you our great love of this place and it's people, of its contribution to our growth and our common soul source through rhythm and rhyme. We all have learned from this project that music not only has it's place as a solo creative effort but is essential to expressing the identity, endurance and vitality of a community's conscience. Music touches the souls of people across cultures regardless of language, creed or color. Music is the heartbeat of a people and their place and for the world music can be a talking drum, a peace pipe and a weapon for real soulful positive change, as Bob Marley sings "when it hits you feel no pain."

For more band info and pictures, please visit:

Kupaaina.com

reviews

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  • Raves
    author: marcia graham

    I was going to buy this a few years ago and for some reason didn't. After reading the reviews I purchased. Yes the recording is as the others have stated. One of my favorites and the combination is terrific.....

  • author: Kalani

    i agree with the other reviews, great album. i really really really recommend seeing these braddahs live, they sound even better and will blow you away with more original compositions, traditional stuff, falsetto, and covers.

  • Closest to progressive Hawaiin yet....
    author: Leonard K. Seito

    I would consider this album to be the first since 2000 to be "progressive" as far as Hawaiian or Hawaii music goes melodically, thematically and lyrically there is nothing like it. This band also seems to encompass something closer to a contemporary Hawaii experience. Best I have heard in awhile. If you don't believe me listen to Hawaii radio stations they are stuck in another time or in Jamaica.

  • From The Heart Music!
    author: DemolitionMan

    Not often does an artist or group like this come about. The music is straight from the heart and soul of the players. Exceptional gifts this group has to say the least. Beautiful music, enchanting beats and powerful words. A must buy for anyone into artistic and expressive music!

  • I am into Hawaiiana
    author: Tony Rodriguez

    I only up to now just heard Simple Island People but I like the CD and want to buy it. I'am going to click and see what is next. I live in California so I have a hard time getting Local Hawaiian Music. Mahalo Tony Rodriguez

  • Da BOMB cd brah, frealz
    author: Keko

    Great CD, a must buy because everytime I play this CD it gives me chicken skin just hearing the words/songs, briefly talks about the Hawaiian history and gets you into the groove, enuff go get um awready n try listen fo yourself.

  • Not just contemporary, but daring and transformative.
    author: J. Kalepu

    This CD demonstrates that Hawaiian music can be transformative, exciting, versatile and provocative. Hawaian music can have a reach beyond its shores and touch the mind and hearts of people around the world.

  • Nominated Hawaiian Music Awards Best Contemporary Hawaiian Album
    author: Mr Chang

    Our album has just been nominated for the Hawaii Music Awards Best Contemporary Hawaiian Album of the Year. Check it out: http://www.hawaiimusicawards.com/nominee_detail.cfm?i=256

  • author: Mr Chang

    Latest ESPN/2Team Entertainment will be featuring some of our music (Holoholomai Slack, Eo Mana Maoli, and Kewalo) on the documentary POLYPOWER: Polynesian in the NFL next February.

  • Kupa'aina featured on MORNING BECOMES ECLECTIC
    author: Mr Chang

    Latest news: Our single Simple Love Song was feature on KCRW Los Angeles' "Morning brings Ecelctic" with Nic Harcourt. Some of our recent demo music was also featured on the NBC TV show HAWAII.

  • Love up the Kupa Aina! Da bestest
    author: Ooklah the Moc

    Please you must see Kupa`Aina in the live concert; most extraordinary. All members of Ooklah the Moc give highest props to our boys in K.A. and please pick up this cd immediately!!!!

  • Very good
    author: Honolulu Advertiser

    Wayne Harada of Honolulu Advertiser gave this album an excellent review. Check it out at the Honolulu advertiser online.

  • Home Run! Fun CD that is the favorite of the Red Lion Team
    author: Paulie Tuna--Red Lion Music

    Our new favorite CD--arguably the best new CD for 2004! Kupa'aina music sounds great in the car, at work, or even jamming from the garage across the street on a Sunday afternoon. Several likely award winning tracks on this CD--listen for Night Marcher, Kewalo, Pomaika'i, Kupa'aina & Eo Mana Maoli. Kevin, Lau, Stanley, Keao, Kalama & Anson have hit a home run!!

  • Great Cd! Really
    author: Jen Varbalow
  • Great for ohana cookouts. A must hear album!
    author: Henry Arkle

    Awesome listening of local contemporary blend of music. Great for home, office or garage cookouts. Would definitely recommend to everyone. A must hear album!

  • Moving, inspiring and exciting. The cotent and the notes are provocative.
    author: Island Music Listener

    There is something for everyone in this album. Kewalo captures the very essence of the personal world of surfing. The Light is a moving blend of Hawaiian and Spanish in tribute to life, death and spirituality through the meaning of one person's life. Overload on Automation makes light hearted fun of this modern, technological world, except with an elegant Hawaiian kine twist. Simple Love Story is simply about the union of a man and woman told as never before in the most delightful, touching and light hearted manner. Karl's Lullabye is a moving whisper to everyman's child and the warmth they engender. Serious and touching topics are treated with so much fun. Everyone should treat themselves to this album.

  • Soon-to-be Award-Winning Material; Buy This CD Now!
    author: Independent Music Observer

    Simply the best island album of 2004; an absolute must-buy! From start to finish, reggae to slack, spoken word to remix, these Simple Island People have broken new ground that may finally thrust island music into the mainstream spotlight. Surely Kupa'aina will pick up a coveted Na Hoku, and odds are they'll snag a precious Grammy as well. If you think that's crazy talk then you haven't (1) heard the CD, and (2) come to understand the economics of the music industry in 2004, and (3) aren't too famliar with the business of music. This is an essential component of any complete music collection - especially one with Hawaiian, island (generally) or world beat representation. Buy This CD Now!

  • Very good
    author: Honolulu Star Bulletin

    John Berger of Honolulu Star Bulletin has given this album an excellent review. Check out the website above! Sound clips included.

  • unique, uplifting and a lot of fun
    author: Carol Chang

    You don't have to be Hawaiian to relate to this band's music, but its biggest fans will be folks who like a wide range of styles. I especially like Simple Love Song, Night Marcher and The Light.

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