ukulele master Ohta-san performing "Waipio"

I love the combination of up-close shots of Ohta-san's hands (showing his technique clearly) and the scenic views of beautiful Waipio Valley on the Big Island (although this song was written about Waipio on O`ahu. : )

Some info about the song (from the huapala website):

Source:King's Hawaiian Melodies - Some credit this mele to George Allen, others to Charles Hopkins, but all agree Mekia Kealakai co-composed this mele. Written for Irene Kahalelauokekoa Holloway, the daughter of John Papa I`i, and the family home at Waipi`o, Ewa, O`ahu. John I`i was an attendent to Kauikeouli, son of Kamehameha Nui who became Kamehameha III. Verse I, stanza 4, Laulani is a place in Waipi`o. Hui, stanza 2, Princess Victoria Kamamalu, sister of Kamehameha IV and Kamehameha V, was the foster child of John I`i. The princess once found shelter beneath a koa tree and John named his daughter Kahalelauokekoa to commemorate this event. Verse 2 stanza 1, pipi and oysters are fish that silence the voice because oyster hunters use hand gestures and do not speak. Speech causes ripples in the water and makes it harder to find oysters. Verse 1 and hui translation from King's Hawaiian Melodies. Verse 2 translated by Mary Pukui. Copyright 1928, 1943, Charles E. King.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• herb
• ohta
• ohta-san
• ukulele
• master
• legend
• waipio
• big
• island
• long
• fingernails
• no
• need
• pick

[MokuleiaMan]

Herb Ohta ais truly a master. However whoever this song entitled Waipio is not about Waipio Valley on Hawaii Island but is about the Great Hawaiian Historian John Papa I'i and his home at Waipio in the Ewa District of Oahu. It was composed by Mekia Kealakai who was Royal Hawaiian Band Master twice.

[uketoob]

Thank you for pointing that out. I found some info about the song on the huapala website and posted it in the sidebar.

[marciamallow]

more lovely scenery with a beautiful song to accompany it....

[saturknight5]

What a beautiful song, so masterfully played... I was holding my breath! Ohta san is an incredible musician.

[puueo]

on of my favorite songs.

[yassy588]

うまく言えませんが、波の音、風のささやき、風にそよく梢、柔ら­かい日差し、午後の虹、、

そんな映像が鮮明に浮かんでくきました。聞いていると、ホント心­地よくなってきます。

ＣＤのフィーリングミユージックが何故か冷たいのに対して、Oh­ta-sanの音は、すごく暖かいフィーリングミュージックです­。私にとっては。



[fuzzcentralage]

such a good song, can't believe it only has 10,000 view.

[808Productionz]

Such long nails! I need to regrow mine.

[ajdc2534]

omg!!! the picking in the beginning so hard!!!

[keonepax]

This comes from his video, "Images of Hawaii," dated 1999.