ALOHA from Buffalo... yes, that is correct BUFFALO NEW YORK.

I've been listening to your station via the internet for some years now. My name is Tanya, but my middle name is Maile, and that is what my family refers to me as.

My father was a born and raised Hawaiian boy...my mother a haole moved on a whim and moved out there when she was 20... met my dad few years later and well my brother and I were both born out in Honolulu and moved later to the states.

Hawaii has always been in my life. With growing up outside of the islands my father always found a way to get the Aloha spirit back in our lives. For a while I was dancing with a halau out here up until I was 12. I MISS IT, but of course when you are forced into something you don't understand until it's too late.

My father used to play his guitar and sing with my mom every night to my brother and I. Even when they divorced he still played his guitar for me. Classics "Pearly Shell" "Pua" "Lil Brown Gal" (my first dance I learned) just to name a few... at parties whenever my dad would play I would dance with him. A special father, daughter connection that I feel was so important in our relationship, since I didn't grow up with him.

My father passed a couple years ago, and while we were in the hospital we had his Hawaiian music playing softly with the lights down low. But it's the memory of my father that lingers around every time I listen to the music.

I long for the island and being on the East coast makes it very difficult to get back. The last time I was there was for his funeral 2 years ago. I hope to move out there whenever my life allows me, I'm 22 just recently graduated from college, now trying to figure out where to go from here.

The islands will always be close to my heart and it's just time now until I get out there. These are my memories of the Hawaiian Music, mahalo for listening.

Forever Aloha,
Tanya Maile V