Hawaiian activists and composers Thor Wold and Liko Martin originally wrote this song as “Nanakuli Blues.” But when local band Country Comfort recorded it for their 1974 album We are the Children, the group localized the song as a political protest about the development taking place all around them in Hawai'i. ”This classic recording of Waimanalo Blues at an old Hawaiian homestead on Oahu in fall of 1991 features Henry Kapono (from the right), Cyril Pahinui, Israel "Iz" Kaʻanoʻi Kamakawiwoʻole and Roland Cazimero. Video Copyright Kurt Meyer -Team Meyer Productions

Behind this recording: Henry Kaaihue Kapono asked Roland Cazimero, Israel "Iz" Kamakawiwo'ole and Cyril Pahinui to record "Waimanalo Blues (Nanakuli Blues)" Aloha 'Oe and his Hawaiian mele ku'e "Broken Promise" (song of protest). This music video rendition of Waimanalo Blues (Nanakuli Blues) was featured on "Kapono & Friends" a television special about Hawaiian sovereignty.

Artist Bio:
Henry Kapono Ka'aihue is an award winning and Grammy nominated singer/songwriter. He has numerous Na Hoku Hano Hano Awards (Hawaii's equivalent of the Grammy's) including Male Vocalist of the Year, Song of the Year, Single of the Year, and Album of the Year.

Cyril Pahinui, the son of musical legend, Gabby Pahinui, is, in his own right, one of Hawai‘i’s most gifted guitarists and singers. Cyril has twice played at Carnegie Hall, has contributed to three Grammy Award-winning albums, received several Hoku Hanohano Awards, and recorded on more than 35 Hawaiian musical releases.

Israel "Iz" Kaʻanoʻi Kamakawiwoʻole "Bruddah Iz". His voice became famous outside Hawaii when his album Facing Future was released in 1993. His medley of "Somewhere over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" was subsequently featured in several films, television programs, and television commercials. Through his skillful ukulele playing and incorporation of other genres (such as jazz and reggae), Kamakawiwoʻole's music remains a very strong influence in Hawaiian music. He was also a founding member of the famous Makaha Sons of Niʻihau.

Roland Cazimero, the guitar playing half of the Brothers Cazimero. The Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts (HARA) has honored the Cazimeros with 25 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards. Roland has also received individual Hoku Awards as solo artist.

Behind the movement: The Hawaiian sovereignty movement (ke ea Hawai'i) is a political movement seeking some form of sovereignty for Hawai'i. Generally, the movement's focus is on self-determination and self-governance for people of whole or part native Hawaiian ancestry or, in some cases, for "Hawaiian nationals", without regard to ancestry. Some groups advocate redress from the United States for the 1893 overthrow of Queen Liliʻuokalani, and for what is seen as a prolonged military occupation beginning with the 1898 annexation. The movement generally views both the overthrow and annexation as illegal, and holds the U.S. government responsible. The historical and legal basis for these claims is one of considerable dispute. While groups that comprise the movement share common concerns, their views on solutions vary greatly, ranging from establishing of some form of "Nation within a Nation" government (similar to some Native American tribes), to reparations from the US government for historical grievances and an end to American military presence, to outright independence from the US.

Video Copyright Kurt Meyer Team Meyer Productions