My most memorable moment was when I heard Cyril Pahinui and Led Ka'apana perform at the Sfinks Music Festival in Belgium.

I had been living away from Hawaii since leaving for college and getting more and more homesick. It was strange to see them in Europe. When I heard them singing I knew I had to come back home...and I did.

But as luck would have it for personal (not professional) reasons, I had to leave again after only one year. So, now I'm back in Europe. I listen to Hawaiian music everyday. It's like my ritual. My favorite songs are: Makee Ailana by Dennis Pavao (the only version of it that I really like), Hi'ilawe by Gabby or Cyril (nice slow version)(my favorite valley on the Big Isle, too), Lei Nani by Gabby.

I grew up listening to Kalapana, Country Comfort, Olomana and of course C&K (I call it the golden age of contemporary Hawaiian music). I still love my old favorites like Waimanalo Blues, Sunflower, About You, Naturally, etc. but as an adult I discovered traditional Hawaiian music. As a kid I always thought of Hawaiian music as a little old-fashioned and corny (like kitsch), but the really traditional Hawaiian music is beautiful, espcially Aunty Genoa Keawe, Gabby Pahinui, etc.

I'm so inspired that I'm learning ukulele. When I was a kid I thought it sounded goofy but now I find it has a warm sound. I love the instrument.

It's funny that some people only realize how much they love Hawaii when they leave...

My kids and I always listen to Hawaiian105 KINE when we're visiting so I was really happy to discover that you have streaming audio. Now I can stay in touch and they can learn about their culture more. They still sing: "The Hawaiian music station!" So mahalo for making Hawaiian music available to us "expats".

Aloha Nui Loa,

Paul A

P.S. I often think about the nice feeling at family parties when there's live Hawaiian music...everyone is so happy.