A big part of the pleasure in Hawaiian travel is experiencing the Island's traditional music and dance. If you have the chance to travel to Hawaii, it is highly recommended to experience a traditional Hawaiian Luau where the entertainment consists of traditional Hawaiian music and dance. The Hawaiian style of music developed over centuries based on the native Polynesian culture with later influences from the missionaries and other immigrants to the Islands.

History of Hawaiian Music
It wasn't until the end of the 18 th century that written records of Hawaii's history begin to appear. However, the tradition of passing stories and skills down through generations has resulted in retention of ancient customs. As a result, Hawaiian music has retained its sweet sound over centuries, with occasional infusions from other cultures to keep things fresh. In addition to the old-style native folk songs that make use of simple melodies and rhythms meant for ritualized dancing, you will hear influences from an eclectic mix of contributors. Some of these contributions include hymns from 18 th century choirs of Protestant missionaries. Other sounds are incorporated from Spanish-speaking Paniolos (Mexican cowboys), as well as the music of Tahiti and Samoa.

Hawaiian Music Instruments
Music from Hawaii brings us a diverse group of instruments, which include use of the body to create rhythm, as in "pai umauma" - a method of measuring time and tempo by slapping hands on the chest rhythmically. Other musical equipment includes these traditional instruments:

• Pahu (drum) - Carved in one piece from a single log, the Pahu have traditionally accompanied sacred songs at temple. This instrument is created by stretching sharkskin over one end, and then played drum-like by beating with fingers and palms.
• Ipu Heke 'ole (gourd) Ipu Heke (double gourd) - Created from gourds with the tops sliced away and the innards removed, these instruments are played in complex percussion methods to create the beat for native dances such as the hula. Once sanded and polished, each gourd can be played alone for the Ipu Heke 'ole. They are sometimes attached together in pairs to create the Ipu Heke.
• Uliuli (gourd rattle) - The secret behind these rattles is that they not only keep time, but their flowing feathers also tell a story as the instrument is played. You can easily visualize mighty ancient battles when you watch the feathers dance in traditional patterns.
• Ka'eke'eke (concussion) - Falling into the idiophone family of instruments, the ka'eke'eke is percussion without use of the membranes that make up drums. Typically used for adding structure to the hula, these bamboo tubes are played by beating them against mats on the ground.
• 'Ohe hano ihu (nose flute) - This traditional instrument is fashioned from a single piece of bamboo. It is designed to work in the same manner as a flute, however the breath comes from the nose instead of the mouth. Hawaiians believe that breath from nose is more pure than that of the mouth, because the mouth can say anything - truth or lies.

Traditional Hawaiian Music
Centuries of tradition have contributed to Hawaii's musical heritage, which has been passed down through the generations and is still practiced today. Most music was designed to celebrate Hawaiian faith, with religious chants and accompaniment to ritualized dancing. Some believe that Hawaii's music contributed to that of neighboring Polynesian islands, indicating the timeless beauty and quality of the compositions. One of the most famous Hawaiian songwriters was the last member of the Island's monarchy. Queen Liliuokalani composed more than one hundred complete songs, including the renowned Aloha 'Oe.

In 1999, a complete compilation of Queen Liliuokalani's works was published by her trust, ensuring that these culturally significant works of art will be available to future generations. It is interesting to note that some traditional Hawaiian pieces have a German influence, as a German musician, Henry Berger, was a teacher to the royal family, impacting some of the music that is still remembered and played today.

Modern Hawaiian Instruments
In more recent times, Hawaiian musicians have incorporated new sounds with the addition of a variety of instruments, including these that are still common today:

• Slack Key Guitar - While the instrument itself resembles other classical guitars, modern Hawaiian performers loosen or slacken the strings. As a result, the sound is just a single chord, making it possible to play an entirely different style of music.
• Steel String Guitar - Again a variation on standard classical guitars, the steel string version substitutes more common nylon strings for steel versions. The result is a brighter, louder sound that is associated with modern Hawaiian music.
• Slide Guitar - This technique of playing a classical guitar does away with changing string pitch by pressing against the frets. Instead, a slide piece is held against the strings and moved without lifting to create the desired sound in one continuous stream of notes.
• Ukulele - While the ukulele is perhaps the instrument most closely associated with traditional Hawaiian music, it is actually a modern addition. An ancestor to the ukulele was introduced to the Islands by Portuguese immigrants, and it evolved into the instrument we know today during the 1800s.
• Xaphoon - An early European instrument distinguished by its keyless, single-reed design inspired the clarinet, the saxophone, and Hawaii's xaphoon. The xaphoon was invented in the 1970s by Brian Wittman, who makes the instruments by hand out of locally sourced bamboo.

Modern Hawaiian Music
Today, Hawaiian music is enjoying a renaissance, as in the 1970s ethnic Hawaiians began returning to traditional instruments and music composition methods. Some very popular performers helped this movement along, including some greats that crossed over to mainland mainstream culture, such as Gabby Pahinui. Known for his skill with the slack key guitar, despite never learning to read music, Pahinui is credited with large contributions to the re-emergence of traditional Hawaiian composition. He released four albums in the 1970s, partnering with other modern musicians like these:

• Leland "Atta" Isaacs
• Manuel "Joe Gang" Kupahu
• Sonny Chillingworth
• Peter Moon
• Randy Lorenzo

In the last half of the 20 th century, Don Ho, the most well-known Hawaiian musician created a musical style that combined traditional sounds with other methods made popular in the ‘50s and ‘60s. Many consider this to be the best illustration of modern Hawaiian songs.

Travelers to Hawaii can enjoy a marvelous combination of musical entertainment, from very traditional chants and dancing to more modern combinations. Fortunately, for those whose Hawaiian vacation won’t happen in the next few years, Hawaiian music has been embraced by mainstream culture, and it is widely available around the world.

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