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Publication of a new edition of hymns in the Hawaiian language will be celebrated tomorrow with a concert by the three choirs of Kaumakapili Church. Concert introduces
new Hawaiian hymnbookMary Adamski
Star-BulletinThe 4:30 p.m. performance at the historic Kalihi-Palama church is free and open to the public.
"Na Himeni O Ka Ekalesia" is the 11th edition of a Hawaiian hymnbook that dates back to 1821 when the earliest Protestant missionaries first translated their favorite songs of worship and praise into the language spoken by their island converts.
Although the book was published by the Hawaiian Conference, United Church of Christ, copies have already been ordered by other Christian churches.
"It is the only Hawaiian hymnbook printed in the world," said the Rev. Richard Kamanu, pastor of the Kapaa First Hawaiian Church on Kauai.
He headed a committee that worked for five years to sort through hundreds of translations and original compositions and select the mix of more than 200 traditional and contemporary songs.
"People of the old days would take English and not translate word for word, but for the essence of the whole thing," Kamanu said. "They tried to fit the tones and notes with the words.
"Today's young folks looking to translate ... if they are not good in Hawaiian poetry, they may find it difficult. We did not choose some because it would sound all chopped up; it does not flow."
Some contemporary songs in the book are "Shine, Jesus, Shine" and "I Exalt Thee," as well as works by local composers such as "Na Iehova No I Hana" -- "Jehovah's creative works" -- by Randy Fong of Kamehameha Schools.
Kamanu said: "The difference between this and the last hymnbook is a larger worship aid section. We included the United Church of Christ order of worship for the church year, all translated into Hawaiian with English on the side."
About 10,000 books of the first press run of 15,000 have already been distributed to churches in the denomination, he said. Various bookstores will sell the edition for about $20.
The previous edition in the long historic line of hymnals, "Na Himeni Haipule Hawaii," was published in 1972. There is another recent compilation of hymns used by the Hawaiian-speaking congregation on Niihau, but it is the words only, not the musical scores.
The new edition is dedicated to former Kaumakapili Church choral director Martha Hohu, 94, a member of the committee. Also on the committee were the Rev. William Kaina, the Rev. James Mersberg, Samuel Kaauwai, the Rev. Nancietta Haalilio, Milton Yee and Madeline Igawa.
The Kaumakapili choirs will perform the music again at a free concert on the Mission Houses Museum grounds at 6 p.m. March 15.
Selections from the hymnal are sure to be heard on Feb. 18 when the 125 United Church of Christ congregations in the islands celebrate a day dedicated to Henry Opukaha'ia, who traveled to New England in 1809. The Hawaiian Christian is credited with inspiring the American Board of Missions to send the first missionaries to Hawaii.