Hawaiʻi Chorales for Band

The UH Bands are proud to present the Hawai’i Chorales for Band, a new series of foundational musical exercises rooted in the rich cultural and historical traditions of music in Hawai‘i. Designed with flexibility in mind, the collection provides SATB arrangements adaptable for all instruments at a level accessible to young musicians – all free to the public.

Each selection includes:

- - four-part arrangements in two settings, in two keys
  - brief historical overviews,
  - chorale settings in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi
  - lesson suggestions
  - curriculum standards

Volume 1: The Queen’s Songbook

The first series of chorales center on the music of Queen Lili‘uokalani. Liliʻuokalani’s compositions reflect a distinctive synthesis of Western harmonic practices and Hawaiian melodic and poetic traditions, often characterized by lyrical vocal lines and texts that convey deep personal and cultural meaning. Many of her works, including Ke Aloha O Ka Haku and He Mele Lāhui Hawai’i, remain central to the Hawaiian music repertoire, have achieved international recognition, and continue to sustain her musical legacy.

Supportive materials include original manuscripts, ‘Ōlelo Hawai’i lyrics with English translations, and more.

Get The Music

Go Further – Videos, Links for Vol. 1

Online resources

Lili‘uoklani Trust: a timeline

Lili ‘uoklani Trust: the Queen’s Mele

Smithsonian Institution: Queen Liliʻuokalani Conversation Kit

Smithsonian Learning Lab: Queen Liliʻuokalani

Publications

Hawaii’s Story by Hawaii’s Queen, by Queen Liliʻuokalani

The Diaries of Queen Liliuokalani of Hawaii, 1885-1900, edited by David W. Forbes

The Queen’s Songbook, edited by Dorothy Kahananui Gillett

Reference recordings by the UH Wind Ensemble – a YouTube playlist

Representative performances – a YouTube playlist

Each selection includes:

- - four-part arrangements in two settings, in two keys
  - brief historical overviews,
  - chorale settings in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi
  - lesson suggestions
  - curriculum standards

Mahalo Piha

The UH Bands are grateful to the following people and organizations for their kokua in bringing this project to life.

Pablo Furukawa, Graduate Assistant, Department of Music, UH-Mānoa

Ke’alohi Reppun, Director, Kuaihelani Learning Center for ʻIke Hawaiʻi, Punahou School

Kimo Keaulana, Kuaihelani Learning Center for ʻIke Hawaiʻi, Punahou School

Kamuela Yim, Office of Hawaiian Education, Hawai‘i Department of Education

Nola Nahulu, Hawai’i Youth Opera Chorus, Kawaiahaʻo Church Choir

Kamuela Akeo, Department of Music, UH-Mānoa

Alan Evans, Kalāheo High School

Makana Larger, Kamehameha Schools

Khloe-Reigh Ringor, cover art

Duane Padilla, audio recording