Hapa-Haole Hawaiian & Hula Jazz

Hundreds of famous mainland singers, actors, pop singers, guitarists, and many others made Hawaiian albums. These are the blue-eyed Hawaiians, the haoles (caucasians) and other malihinis (newcomers). Some, such as Jon Hall, Marty Robbins, and Roy Smeck, made reverent, artful recordings on a par with the best of authentic Hawaiian music. Many other hapa-haole or hapa-Hawaiian (halfway Hawaiian) records are at least good curiosities. The European version of Hawaiian music (generally pop with a heavy dependence on steel guitar) is both fairly respectable and definitely a different animal.

Some of the following records could pass for those of kamaainas (natives). And, some on the "authentic" list actually are mainlanders passing for Hawaiians. But birthplace does not matter, only the spirit of aloha. Hawaiian music can be "so bad it's good," too. Belgium's The Waikikis had a worldwide smash with their crazed, Farfisa-organ-led "Hawaii Tattoo." But Hawaii's own Society of Seven, a long-haired, oldies-revival band, was even cheesier.

Hula jazz (like hula rock) is a fascinating hybrid. On antique recordings (78 era) as well as modern, sometimes you find the odd track or several in the jazz idiom (but with steel or uke or other Hawaiian elements). Both authentic and inauthentic groups made this kind of record. Even mainstream jazz groups were known to tackle "Hawaiian War Chant" (the "Caravan" of Hawaiian tunes).