Na Mele‘ focuses
on young talents

Viewers who haven't been able to journey to Hilo can now enjoy the music of the Big Island's hottest newcomers Kaumakaiwa Kanakaole and Kainani Kahaunaele when PBS Hawaii/KHET broadcasts a half-hour edition of "Na Mele: Traditions in Hawaiian Song," featuring the performers. The production airs at 7:30 tonight.

Kahaunaele emerged as a winner in the Na Hoku Hanohano categories of female vocalist, most promising artist, best Hawaiian-language performance, and won the Bill Murata Memorial Scholarship in 2004.

Kanakaole, whose lineage includes great-grandmother Edith Kanakaole, grandmother Pualani Kanakaole Kanahele and mother Kekuhi Kanahele, represents the next generation of Hawaiian hula and poetry. He won the Haku Mele category at the 2004 Hoku Awards.

Kanakaole faces the challenge of merging traditional and modern sounds that would appeal to a younger audience while inspiring others to keep hula alive and evolving.

Footage also includes performances from Mid-Pacific Institute's Pupukahi Halau, under the direction of Lanakila Casupang.