Wao Akua
(The Forest of the Gods)

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Wao Akua
(The Forest of the Gods)

George Kahumoku, Jr.

Nominated for 2012 Grammy - Best Regional Roots Album 

Record Label:
Daniel Ho Creations
Release Date: April 2011 
Catalog #: DHC 80087
UPC: 644718008721

Song List 

Click Track Name to play clip. Click again to stop:

1. 36 Mile Marker (3:54) George Kahumoku, Jr.
2. Pauoa Liko Ka Lehua (1:49) traditional
3. Pūpū A'o 'Ewa (3:41) traditional
4. Nanea Kō Maka Le'ale'a (2:08) George Kahumoku, Jr.
5. Kahakuloa (3:54) traditional
6. No Ke Ano Ahiahi (1:39) traditional
7. Ka Lae 'O Ka'ena (3:06) traditional
8. Aia lā 'O Pele (1:41) traditional
9. Pauahi 'O Kalani (3:33) Queen Lili'uokalani
10. Maluhia Ame Lokahi (3:11) George Kahumoku, Jr.
11. Ka'inapu Lio Li'i Li'i (2:47) George Kahumoku, Jr.
12. Moanike'ala (1:34) Leleiōhoku
13. Ha'uha'u E (3:25) traditional
14. Nā Ali'i (1:51) Samuel Kuahiwi
15. Makalapua (3:57) traditional
16. Waikamoi (5:16) George Kahumoku, Jr.
17. Kūkae Nēnē (1:45) George Kahumoku, Jr.
18. Ka Lama 'Ae One (2:38) traditional
19. Hilo One (3:52) traditional
20. A Kona Hema 'O Ka Lani (3:29) traditional
21. Punalau (1:56) George Kahumoku, Jr.
22. Kapalili Lau Niu (2:04) George Kahumoku, Jr.
23. Alo Hihia (2:26) George Kahumoku, Jr.
24. Kāua i ka Huahua'i (1:24) Leleiōhoku

NEW!
Grammy nomination in "Regional Roots"
Nominated in Na Hoku Hanohano Awards
for 2012 Slack Key Album of the Year

For a Native Hawaiian, the journey into the Wao Akua is a reflection of one’s work as a kanaka, where we rise above the everyday life of working, living, and surviving, into the extraordinary, spiritual world of the Gods.

These solo instrumentals are the embodiment of my life’s journey through Hawaiian slack key guitar music. They include some family classics as well as newly composed melodies inspired from my recent trek through a Hawaiian forest.

Just as there are different layers in the forest: the ground cover, ferns and bushes, understory, and canopy; these songs, too, are representative of the various layers of my musical life. Whenever I play an instrumental “background music” gig, I often drift into a zone of reflection that flows into a spiritual realm where I hope the listener can follow.

This CD is meant to delight and to instill a sense of peace, harmony, and lokahi (unity) for the sounds and the silence found within the Wao Akua, the Forest of the Gods.

I wish to thank my family and friends for all their love and support over the years. Thank you, Akua, for this family and the many blessings that have come my way.

Mahalo,
George Kahumoku, Jr.

This CD features:

Slack key guitar: George Kahumoku, Jr.
Cover photo: Shane Tegarden
Sunset photo: Mark Middleton
Guitar photo: Art Davis
Recording, mastering & graphic design: Daniel Ho
Mixing: Daniel Ho, Jason Arimoto & Petrice Oyama
Hawaiian language consultant: Amy Ku'uleialoha Stillman
Shirt by Sig Zane
George plays an Art Davis 12-String Guitar