One of my favorite reggae groups is The Green from Oahu, Hawai’i.
The group consists of vocalist Caleb Keolanui, Ikaika Antone (keyboard/vocals), JP Kennedy (guitar/vocals), Zion Thompson (guitar/vocals), Brad “BW” Watanabe (bass) and Jordan Espinoza (drums).
For the single “My Hawai’i”, it features a collaboration with one of Hawai’i’s well-known slack key guitarists, vocalist, composer and producers, Sean Na’auao. A legend and also founding member of the Mana’o Company, the forefathers of Hawaiian reggae.
In fact, Mana’o Company’s Danny Kennedy is uncle to the Green’s JP Kennedy.
Kaumakaiwa is best known for his original music which draws from ancien ‘oli (chant) traditions, modern melodies and original mele.
While Kumu Hina is a mahu (transgender woman) who had a documentary made about her life who composed the awesome chants for this song.
But this song, features a wonderful and powerful collaboration!
The song is absolutely deep.
The lyrics about love for Hawai’i, protecting the land and the changes that the land has gone through with how expensive for people to live in, another skyscraper built and no doubt a modern voice of that rings strong and true for the locals.
A song with a thought provoking message of the changing Hawai’i, which Israel Kamakawiwo’ole did with “Hawai’i 78”.
The message in this song has been a feeling of locals for decades and I don’t know if there is a solution, but for one to stand up and protect the land they love. Similar to what we have seen with what’s going on with Mauna Kea, sacred mauna. People are standing up, wanting to let people know they have a voice and to make sure sacred land are not being torn up, desecrated to become highways or for more high rises to be built.
“My Hawai’i” is no doubt a song which provides as a strong voice that is felt and shared by many and it’s a powerful song worth checking out!
