CD Release: Honolulu Students - Royal Hawaiian Troubadors circa 1904

Review by John Berger, Honolulu Star Advertiser

The recordings restored by Reece were made in 1904 in New York City for the American Record Company by a group that was sometimes billed as the Honolulu Students and sometimes as the Royal Hawaiian Troubadours. By either name, their recordings are among the earliest commercially made recordings of Hawaiian music known to exist. The fact alone makes this CD a welcome and significant addition to any collection of Hawaiian music.

The leader of the band was Lui Thompson Keouli, a former member of Mekia Kealakai’s Royal Hawaiian Orchestra. (Notably, Kealakai served two terms as bandmaster of the Royal Hawaiian Band between 1920 and 1932.) Additional members were identified as Wm. Holoua, Fred Kahea, David Ka’ai Kaleikau and Mme. Anehila. Between them they played guitar, violin, flute, ukulele and “taro patch” (an early 8-string “cousin” of the soprano ukulele).

The 24 songs include classics by the royal composers Kalakaua, Lili‘uokalani, and Lele‘iohoku, as well as compositions by David Nape, Thomas Sylvester Kalama, Mekia Kealakai and Reverend Samuel Kapu Jr.

One of the most interesting things about listening to these recordings today is hearing how familiar songs like “Maui Girl” and “Hi‘ilawe” seem when played by these Hawaiian “string bands.” Reece says this collection is the first such complete set of recordings made by any American string band, and the recording of “Hi‘ilawe” is the first, bar none.