The Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame is an organization dedicated to recognizing the cultural importance of the music of Hawaii and hula. Established in 1994, the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame promotes the appreciation and preservation of Hawaiian culture through educational programs and annual inductions honoring significant individuals, groups, institutions, chanters and songs.
The Royal Patrons King David Kalakaua, Queen Liliuokalani, Princess Miriam Likelike and Prince William Pitt Leleiohoku II were siblings known as Na Lani ʻEhā, or The Royal Four, for their patronage and enrichment of Hawaii's musical culture and history. All four were composers. Their aggregate body of musical compositions in the Hawaiian language numbers in the hundreds. After the hula had long been banned by missionaries, Kalakaua restored it as a symbol of the Hawaiian culture. Kalakaua and Liliuokalani were the last monarchs of the Kingdom of Hawaii, but The Royal Four's legacy of music to Hawaii lives on through individual artists. The Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame acknowledges the royal siblings as their patrons.
NameImageBirth–DeathNotes Kalākaua 1836–1891Lyricist for the state song "Hawaii Ponoi", honoring Kamehameha I (Henri Berger wrote the music). The last reigning king of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Helped restore the hula. The Merrie Monarch Festival is named in his honor.; Liliʻuokalani1838–1917Last reigning monarch of Hawaiian Kingdom. Composed "Aloha 'Oe" and hundreds of other songs and chants List of compositions and works by Liliʻuokalani Likelike1851–1887Princess of the Hawaiian Kingdom, mother of Princess Ka'iulani. Composer and sponsor of musical events. Leleiohoku II1854–1877Prince and Heir Apparent of the Hawaiian KingdomList of compositions and works by Leleiohoku
Meles & Songbooks Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame Songs Song title YearNotes He Mele Aloha: A Hawaiian Songbook 2018Published 2003Editors: Vicky Hollinger, Kimo Hussey, Puakea Nogelmeier, Carol Wilcox; The Queen's Songbook2018Published 1999Editors: Dorothy Kahananui Gillett, Barbara Smith and Hui Hanai Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī 2012 State song of Hawaiʻi, written by King David Kalakaua and Henri Berger ʻĀlika 2002 Words & music by Charles Ka'apa Kalama'ula 2002 Words & music by Emma Kala Dudoit Wehiwehi 'Oe 2002 Words & music by Sylvester Kalama Hawaii Aloha1998Written by Rev. Lorenzo Lyons Kaulana Na Pua1998Written by Ellen Wright Prendergast Makalapua 1998 Written by Konia and Eliza Holt Na Ali'i 1998 Written by Samuel Kauhiwi Ua Like No A Like 1998 Written by Alice Everett
Institutions Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame Institutions Institution Image YearNotes Kamaka Hawaii, Inc.2013Ukulele makerKawaiahaʻo Church2004 Church of Hawaiian royal family Kamehameha Schools 2003 Awarded for perpetuating Hawaiian music
Musical groups Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame GroupsNameImageYearNotesHawaiian Room 2019 Musicians from the Lexington Hotel, New York CityBeamer 'Ohana 2018 Nona, Keola, Kapono Ho‘opi‘i Brothers 2018 Richard Ho‘opi‘i (b.1941) and Solomon Ho‘opi‘i (1935–2006) Kahananui ‘Ohana 2018 Mother Dorothy Kahananui (c.1895–1984) and daughter Dorothy Gillett (1919–1996); 2017 Alvin Kaleolani Isaacs and his sons: Alvin Issacs Jr., Leland “Atta” Isaacs, Norman Isaacs,2017Kekuhi Kanahele-Frias (mother), Pualani Kanaka'ole Kanahele (grandmother), Nalani Kanaka'ole (great aunt), Kaumakaiwa Kanaka'ole (daughter)Halekulani Girls2015Alice Fredlund, Sybil Bright Andrews, Linda Dela Cruz Hawaii Calls 2014 Radio show Ka Leo Hawai‘i 2012 Recording artists Alan Akaka, Daniel Akaka Jr., Haunani Apoliona, Haunani Bernardino, Malia Craver, Ainsley Halemanu, Larry Kimura, Lance Koyama, George Kuo, Aaron Mahi, Keoki Maguire, Lolena Nicholas, Mary Kawena Pukiu, Kalena Silva.Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau 2012 Recording artistsOlomana 2011 Founded in 1973 by Jerry Santos and Robert Beaumont 2010 Formed by pianist Richard Kauhi in 1947Hui Ohana 2009 Formed by Ledward Kaʻapana with brother Nedward Kaʻapana, mother Tina Kaʻapana and cousin Dennis Pavao 2008 Formed in 1962 by Noelani Kanoho Mahoe. Other members included2006Duo formed in the 1970s; ; 2005 See Kahauanu LakeHaili Church Choir 2001Helped develop and promote Hawaiian music1999 Established in 1836 by Kamehameha III and still active playing on the grounds of Iolani Palace
Chanters Relevant historical events coinciding with the time frame of the chanter prophesies:
1778–1779, Captain James Cook and crew become the first Europeans to visit Hawaii. 1809 Henry Opukahaia of Hawaii arrives in New Haven, Connecticut and begins Christian studies. 1810 Kamehameha I succeeds in unification of the Kingdom of Hawaii. 1819 Kamehameha II assumes the throne upon the death of his father, breaks the kapu by eating at the table with the women, orders destruction of the heiau worship sites of the old religion. 1820 Hiram Bingham I arrives in Hawaii with the first wave of Christian missionaries. 1824–1849 Epidemics of measles, mumps and whooping cough kill tens of thousands of Hawaiians.
Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame ChantersNameImageBirth–DeathYearNotes1837–19372011Chanter in the court of Kalākaua, chanted for Queen Emma. After Kalakaua's death he retired to his home and married three times to professional hula women 1858–?2011 Kauai chanter recorded by ethnomusicologist Helen Heffron Roberts in the 1920s 1929–20222008Chanter, dancer, teacher, composer and recording artist. NEA National Heritage Fellowship in his honor. Protege of Mary Kawena Pukui.Ka'opulupulu c. 17732000 Chanter and prophet who advised Kahahana against giving away Kualoa land on Oahu to Kahekili II of Maui. Kahekili II declared the priest a traitor and had both the priest and the priest's son killed. Prophesied the conquest of Hawaii by the white man, the end of the monarchy, and the extinction of the Hawaiian race. Kapoukahi2000 Prophesied that Kamehameha I would be ruler over a united kingdom.Kapihe 2000Offered prayers over newborn Kamehameha III, believed to be stillborn. Prophesied the end of the kapus (taboos). Other prophesies are believed to have foretold of the coming of the missionaries and subsequent downfall of the Hawaiian monarchy. Hewahewa –18372000High priest under Kamehameha I and Kamehameha II, later converted to Christianity. Helped Ka'ahumanu and Keōpūolani end the kapus.Keaulumoku1716–17841995 singularly2000 with group Chanter and prophet. His prophesies included Kamehameha I's unification of the islands, conquest by the white man, destruction of the temples, the downfall of the monarchy and extinction of the Hawaiian race.
Individuals