Hawaiiana

That special feeling you get whenever you visit the Hawaiian Islands is very apparent when you listen to Hawaiiana. The stunningly beautifulTia Carrere sings a lovely set of songs in her native language accompanied by the Grammy Award-winning Hawaiian slack key guitarist Daniel Ho, whom you may also remember from Kilauea fame. "Aloha 'Oe," the timeless composition written by Hawaii's last reigning monarch Queen Liliu'okalani, opens this gorgeous set of Hawaiian standards. Carrere's voice is soft and inviting, bringing forth the essence of the well-known farewell used by native islanders. "Pupu Hinuhinu," Nona Beamer's lullaby about shiny shells was written for the children in her family but has become a favorite among all of Hawaii's children. Carrere brings an adorable playfulness to her rendition that is sure to appeal to the inner child in you. "Ulili E" is a harmonic and rhythmic delight on which Carrere sings lovingly about birds running along the shore. With her vocals beautifully arranged and re-harmonized via Daniel Ho's masterful guitar work and dubbing, this song is a serene and melodic masterwork. Overall, the mellowness and beauty of this recording cannot be overemphasized, so if you can't get to Hawaii, then pick up a copy of the next best thing — Hawaiiana — and let Tia Carrere and Daniel Ho take you there courtesy of their special collaborations.