Nā Mele o Hawai‘i
The Edwin H. Mookini Library’s resources on Hawaiian music include a variety of formats: print, video recordings, and sound recordings. Subjects range from scholarly investigation to recreational enjoyment, such as history and criticism, discography, juvenile fiction, etc.
The Hawaiian Collection staff is happy to provide guidance to online resources and other institutions that may possess resources on Nā Mele o Hawai‘i (The Music of Hawai‘i).
The music of Hawai‘i includes an array of traditional and popular styles, from native Hawaiian folk music to modern rock and hip hop. Hawai‘i's contributions to American music are out of proportion to the state's small size. Styles like slack-key guitar are known worldwide, while Hawaiian-tinged music is a frequent part of Hollywood soundtracks. Hawai‘i also made a great contribution to country music with the introduction of the steel guitar. Traditional Hawaiian folk is a major part of the state's musical heritage. The Hawaiian people have retained much of their traditional musical knowledge for centuries. Their music is largely religious in nature, and includes chanting and dance music.
Join the Mookini Library for a summer of great Hawaiian music! Visit our display on the Library's Upper Level, explore our Hawaiian Collection on the Main Level, download our display brochure, and bring the call numbers of any CDs or videos you'd like to borrow to our Circulation Desk.
Related Websites:
Huapala: Hawaiian Music and Hula Archives
June 2008