Kila Kila O Maui / Kona Au I Ka Wai

Released during the mid-20th century, this 78-rpm record represents the golden age of the 49th State Hawaii Record Co., a label founded by George Ching. The label was instrumental in preserving and popularizing traditional Hawaiian music during a period when the genre was gaining significant traction among audiences on the United States mainland. By recording artists like John Kameaaloha Almeida and Genoa Keawe, the label provided a vital platform for native practitioners to reach a wider public.

The recording features the combined talents of John Kameaaloha Almeida, a prolific blind composer and multi-instrumentalist who was a central figure in the Hawaiian music scene, and Genoa Keawe, an iconic vocalist known for her distinctive falsetto and mastery of traditional styles. The compositions focus on the storytelling traditions of the islands, specifically highlighting the lyrical beauty of Maui and the Kona district. These recordings were designed to capture the authentic acoustic sound of the era's hula bands, emphasizing the interplay between steel guitar, ukulele, and the vocal harmonies characteristic of the period.