KAUA I KA HUAHUA'I
Created on 04/09/2005Latest update on 12/02/2024
Artist: Hawaiian Quintette
Author: Prince William Pitt Leleiohoku II
Label: Victor
Year: 1913
Hawaiian love ballad (meaning We Two In The Spray), written by local blue blood (in 1860), just like Aloha Oe (see there). The knowledge of authentic cultural expressions was always a major pillar of the local royal family's authority. One of the authentic Hawaiian melodies used in Richard Walton Tulli's play The Bird Of Paradise, introduced on Broadway in January 1912 featuring this quintette. For the first time American public was charmed by and won over for this "weirdly sensuous music". Johnny Noble, leader of the Hoana Hotel band in Waikiki Beach, managed to copyright this song in '29 under new title Ta-hu-wa-hu-wai without substantial alterations, apart for some jazz accents in the arrangement.
Covers:
- 1933:
Kanui & Lula [as Oua Oua; genuine Hawaiians in Paris]
- 1934:
Andy Iona's Novelty Four [as Ta-Hu-Wa-Hu-Wai for Columbia, new version for Decca in '36; introducing amplified steel guitar sound]
- 1937:
Harry Owens & His Hawaiians [as Ta-Hu-Wa-Hu-Wai]
- 1938:
Tommy Dorsey [as Hawaiian War Chant lyrics by Ralph Freed, Arthur's brother; with Buddy Rich on drums, also in film Ship Ahoy in '42]
- 1938:
Rudy Vallee & His Connecticut Yankees [as Pahuwahu]
- 1940s:
Kilima Hawaiians [as Ta Ah Oewelah]
- 1946:
Spike Jones [under the moniker The Wacky Wakakians; speeded up version as Hawaiian War Chant]
- 1947:
Bob Wills [idem, used in film Surf's Up in '07]
- 1949:
Harry Owens & His Royal Hawaiians [as The Laughing Song with own lyrics]
- 1951:
Ames Brothers [their first chart entry]
- 1958:
Johnny & Rijk [as Aan Het Goudgele Strand Van Ameland]
- 1959:
Billy Vaughn [the only version charting]
- 1960:
- 1961:
- 1962:
Tielman Brothers [as Tahiti Jungle - instrumental]
- 1962:
Idalia Boyd [Little Eva's sister as Hula Hoppin']
- 1962:
- 1966:
- 1968:
Prince Buster [ska version as Texas Hold Up]
- 1968:
- 1988:
Berini's [as Ta Ah Oewelah]
- 1994:
Nathan Lane [Timon in Disney film The Lion King]
- 2001:
Brothers Cazimero [as Hawaiian War Chant]
Australian VA-comp War Chants Galore (on Cumquat) collects 19 early interpretations. More lite versions by Francis Bay, Frank Shacksfield, Ray Charles Singers, Martin Denny, Ted Heath, Hilo Hawaiians, Leroy Holmes, Enoch Light, Arthur Lyman, Henry Mancini, Santo & Johnny, The Ventures and Hugo Winterhalter.
