KAPAEMAHU

Surf, Hawaiian music, and song provide an immersive backdrop for Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu's spellbinding performance. The resonance and musical quality in Wong-Kalu's voice add to this dual-language retelling of the legend of Kapaemahu. This is the story of four Tahitian healers who were "mahu," that is, without male or female gender, who traveled around the islands administering their cures. Wong-Kalu's explanation of what happened to the rocks that the healers transferred their powers to is moving and uplifting. She keeps alive the Hawaiian tradition of oral storytelling with her soothing voice and introduces the concept of self-acceptance, explaining that she is a manu like the healers. This is a gracious and heartfelt presentation of themes of culture, heritage, and identity. M.F. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2023]