He Aloha - Gabby Pahinui

[David Matzenik]

He Aloha No O Honolulu, (Farewell To Honolulu) was written by Lot Keawe, circa 1890, to describe a rough sea voyage from Honolulu to Kona, on the big island.

As played by the Maile Serenaders in 1969, it features the steel guitar of Gabby Pahinui. I have transcribed it in A7th tuning, a quick retune from my usual A6th by raising the F# to G. It has a ringing quality and there is a five string slant on the top. It's a jaunty exercise in sing-song arpeggios.

I often think of a time we crossed the Cook Strait, New Zealand, in a full gale, with some Moari girls singing Pokarekare Ana, which comes from a similar genre.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkGl5fbs0Zk

[David Matzenik]

Apologies for errors at bars 27 and 28. Here is that page corrected.

[Keith Aiken]

that's great. can u spell the tuning for me

[David Matzenik]

From the top the tuning E C# A G E C# (A G) an easy retune from A6th or C6th. Notice the 5 string slant.