"Punahele," Ray Kane

"Punahele," Ray Kane (1925-2008). Internationally respected as the Hawaiian slack key guitar ambassador, Raymond Kaleoalohapoina'oleohelemanu Kane was born in 1925 on the island of Kaua'I, Hawaii. He grew up in Nanakuli on O'ahu's rocky Wai'anae coast where he and his family made their way as traditional harvesters of the sea. Musically, Kane has preserved a unique sound, which comes partly from attentive combined use of left-hand guitar techniques known as hammer-ons, pull-offs, slides and "chime-like" harmonics. These techniques mimic the yodels and falsetto vocals rooted in ancient chants common in Hawaiian singing.
Ray Kane wrote "Punahele" in 1938. He gives us a glimpse into his world back then: "Back in those days there were no cars; it was pitch black. So I sit there in the dark in the nice cool breeze and I hear waves bouncing on the sand and see the moonlight flicker on the water. It inspired me, something so nice. So mellow." Like all of Ray's music, "Punahele" is delicately suffused with his unique nahenahe (relaxing) style.

Many thanks to George Winston and John Stropes for their insight and information and for helping me to better understand this piece. Thank you.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Punahele
• Ray
• Kane
• Ben
• Davis
• Hawaii
• slack
• key
• finger
• style

[prodiddler]

Probs the best version of Punahele on youtube!

[BenjaminScottDavis]

@prodiddler

I worked hard to make it seem effortless... Thank you :)

[BenjaminScottDavis]

It is my favorite ;) When relaxation is the key I need to be in. Thanks for your kind words.

[Tranzition1]

I keep coming back to his video over an over, as i'm trying to learn to play it--great job! Would you ever consider posting up a tutorial?

[jperren]

Mahalo and bravo Benjamin. I wanna learn that.

[GypsyRoom]

THANKS, I'M GONNA TRY FOR IT!

[mlr48]

Aloha! This is MY FAV!! Thank you for sharing.

[JesseTinsley]

This is very nice. Thank you for sharing this song. Jesse.

[markwitz]

Uncle Ray would be proud.

[wjc1952]

Wow. I am stunned!  Played beautifully!

Me ke aloha,

Auntie Wanda