The legendary Taimanahila "Mana" Teale of Niihau performs "Hawaii Loa Tu Like Katou" in Niihau dialect.  This song is written, recorded and produced by Liko Martin, with translation by Pilahi Paki.  As the story was told to me, Mana, as he was known, was the first from Niihau to graduate from Kamehameha Schools.  To the leftof his photo on the CD is the flag he always spoke of, which hangs on the wall of the church on Niihau, and his tutu man always said, "it's all or nothing."  Mana was involved with the creation of the Makaha Sons of Niihau, when they played instruments that he brought from Niihau.  Aloha to his daughter Mahealani and his grandson, who live on the Big Island, from Uncle Liko!

Mana was a part of a circle of musicians that included Java, aka "Kamala Kamala", Uncle Willie Yadao from Makaweli, a paniolo who played bass with Gabby Pahinui in the old days, Wendell "Jumbo" Fu, and Uncle Herman Kane of Hanamaulu.   Their voices can all be heard on the "Surfing Bay Blues", available on Amazon or CD Baby.
See more about this track here: http://likomartin.blogspot.com/2019/05/new-soundcloud-account-featuring-mana.html

Surfin' Bay Blues

Hawaii Loa Tu Like Katou

Hawaii Loa Tu Like Katou (Niihau Version by Mana Teale)

From the album "Right Now"  https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/liko-martin-right-now/id484705586
produced by Richard Moon www.moonsic.com
Liko Martin: vocals, guitars
Richard Moon: electric guitar, keyboards, percussion
Ruth Davies: bass
Recording and mastering: Jeff Williams, Teja Bell


©2011

Take the Signs Off the Land

Hawaiʻi's "Chief Bard of Aloha ʻĀina".  Haku Mele, storyteller, warrior, planter, fisherman, medicine-maker, peacemaker, diplomat, father and grandfather living the legend of Aloha ʻĀina of our time.

Liko Martin

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