Mele Kalikimaka

Thursday ended with the Sounds of Hawai'i at the Flint Center in Cupertino. It was a blend of Hawaiian and Christmas music. Brook Lee hosted and a local hula studio, Na Wai Ola, danced.

The opening act was Makana, a young and amazing slack key guitarist. It was incredible to hear so much music coming from one instrument. I recognized "The Poi Song", but I loved the third song he performed. It had intricate finger work and he sang the two vocal passages with a hint of vibrato, his head tilted slightly upwards and his eyes closed. Something about it felt so spiritual.

Na Leo were the headliners. Their harmonies and voices were beautiful, especially Lehua Heine's. My favorite songs were "Ave Maria", "North Shore Serenade" and their finale, "I Miss You, My Hawai'i". For an encore, they sang "O Holy Night". I had been hoping to hear it the entire evening.