Polinahe

'Ano'ai e nā hoa makamaka! As we prepare for this hopenapule, weekend, we have the opportunity to hear beautiful Hawaiian music at Aloha Friday. The featured artist this weekend is Lorna Lim, one of my favorite Hawaiian female vocalists. Her latest album is called Polinahe. Let's take a look at this title, Polinahe. Poli is the Hawaiian word for bosom, breast or depression. It poetically means heart or arms, like where you hold someone in your arms. We'll use the first line of a Hawaiian classic as our example. Ma ku'u poli mai 'oe, come rest upon my bosom. Nahe comes from the word nahenahe which means soft, sweet, melodious, like music or a gentle voice. Nahenahe kēia mele. This song is sweet. It can also mean a soft, gentle breeze. Nahenahe ka makani. The wind is soft and gentle. When combined, Polinahe could mean a few things. Soft heart, gentle bosom. But when I think of Lorna Lim's musical talent and her angelic voice, it seems to mean the sweet, gentle song of the heart. So lovely when you think about it! So, friends, come and enjoy an evening of nahenahe Hawaiian music and come find out for yourself why her album is called Polinahe. For now, e nanea mai, relax and enjoy her leo nahenahe. Aloha nō, a hui hou.