It’s been a while since I’ve heard a new Hawaiian release that really got me excited, and though I haven’t heard Nā Kama’s “Kamakolu” yet, both Wayne Harada and John Berger offer very positive reviews of the release.

Though I’m not scheduled to do a new podcast until next Sunday, I will do a special one today, however, it will not be posted until tomorrow morning for reasons that I will explain in the podcast and the podcast listing. I will say that I have a special preview cut of a release that will be coming out a bit later next month, but have been asked not to feature it until May 1 – tomorrow. Stay tuned.

Keola Beamer’s online store was shutdown since his mother became ill late last year, but is back online again, and his entire website has gotten a facelift.

The biggest development, however, is his development of an online video series called Kaukamalama, where students can learn slack key, ‘ukulele, hula and language. It’s quite innovative.

I received a wondeful gift last week a copy of this new songbook which documents the life and music of one of Hawaiian music’s most beloved treasures, Lena Kaulumau Wai‘ale‘ale Machado. She is celebrated with this new publication, brought to you by Ka‘iwakīloumoku and written by Aunty Lena’s hānai daughter Pi‘olani Motta with writer/researcher Kīhei de Silva. This 227-page book presents Aunty Lena’s life story and thirty of her compositions, including ten that have never before been published. Each song includes sheet music, background information, lyrics and translations, and photos.

Ordering information is availabe on the Ka‘iwakīloumoku website. Proceeds from the sale of the book will go to the Lena Machado Haku Mele scholarship fund administered by the Ke Ali’i Pauahi Foundation. The scholarship fund was established by Pi‘olani Motta in 1993 for Kamehameha seniors who excel in Hawaiian music composition. A hearty congratulations to Kīhei and Pi‘olani for a wondful job. I’ll treasure my copy.

This year’s Ho‘okani Mānoa finale features an all-star lineup, including University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Performers include Sean Na‘auao, Keawe & Tracie Lopes, Aaron J. Salā, Ikaika Blackburn, Nā Palapalai, Inoa ‘Ole, Hōkū Zuttermeister, Aunty Mapuana Yasue, Aunty Flo Koanui & The Ho‘okani Mānoa Dancers, and more. Andrews Ampitheater, April 29, 2006, 4:00 p.m. — 10:00 p.m. Free admission for all UH system students with valid ID. General admission: $5. Download this .pdf file for more information.

Brother Noland returns to the kind of music he is best know for, a reggae-tinged island contemporary fare, with Mystical Fish. Wayne Harada offers a positive review of it in today’s Honolulu Advertiser. I also found that Noland, like many Hawai‘i musician, has a site on MySpaces as well.

I’ve received permission to include some of his music in a podcast, though I’m not sure I’ll be able to do one today. I’m in the middle of a major website redesign (not Nahenahe) and helping a friend get his off the ground. I miss doing the podcasts, but the workload is just crushing at the moment. It’s also my wife and my anniversary, and I am a bit adverse to going into the office today. Sorry gang, the podcast will probably have to wait until next weekend.

MidWeek Magazine’s Carol Chang writes a feature on Hawai‘i podcasters in this week’s MidWeek Magazine.

Speaking of podcasts, my apologies for not doing one this past weekend. Most of my spare time was spent trying to rebuild a server at my daughter’s school.

Congratulations to Kenneth Makuakāne for his upcoming induction into the Kamehameha Schools Hall of Fame. A well deserved honor.

Please join Hui Mālama I Nā Kūpuna O Hawai‘i Nei, ‘Ī lio‘ulaokalani & Native Nations Education Foundation on Thursday, April 13 (Friday is a holiday) at UH–Mānoa Andrews Ampitheatre for an afternoon and evening of contemporary music of Hawai’i, orginal compositions, conscious music, maoli music and education about iwi issues and its challenges that currently face us today. Gates open at 4:30PM.

Motion Picture Association of America, Inc. (MPAA) chairman Dan Glickman and Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) president Cary Sherman today announced the historic merger of the two organizations. The newly-created entity is being called the Music And Film Industry Association of America, Inc., or MAFIAA.

PS: please note the date of this post.