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Longtime friends and colleagues Uncle George Kahumoku Jr. and KAOI Maui radio host Cindy Paulos bring peace in these trying times through their music and various projects.
Kahumoku, a West Side resident, master guitarist and winner of multiple Grammy and Na Hoku Hanohano awards, and Paulos, a multi-talented musician and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) laureate Cross-Cultural & Peace Crafters Award and Gandhi Peace Award convey a message that unites people without borders or limitations. They hope to alleviate some of the many controversies in the world today.
Kahumoku and Paulos recently teamed up with musician and filmmaker Rupam Sarmah to produce a special CD titled “At M”Aloha blessings. The three friends agree that using music to uplift, redirect, and reflect emotions is vital to improving well-being during this difficult time in Hawaii, the country, and the world.
Aloha Blessings was inspired by Sarmah’s visit to Maui when he showed her film, “A little finger”, at the McCoy Theater. His feature film promotes inclusion and diversity to break down barriers of disability stigma. He made history with a cast of over 80 people, themselves disabled.
Sarmah thinks, “The aloha tradition combined with ancient mantras produces avant-garde sound creations. Aloha Blessings’ musical compositions will aid in meditation, yoga and healing of spirits. Proceeds will go to the One Little Finger Global Nonprofit Foundation, where our work reflects the message of unity, peace and aloha.
Kahumoku added, “I worked long distance on Aloha Blessings during the pandemic with over 100 musicians to create a blend of Indian music with Hawaiian chants and oral invocations. It has 154 minutes of eight tracks plus eight additional instrumental tracks for meditation. It is available in stereo and Dolby Atmos® on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, Tidal and other platforms. The divine sound is music for the soul.
“Throughout the album, the song aloha connects our ha (breath) with the aina (land) and kai (ocean), creating lokahi (harmony) and peace between man, the creatures of the earth , the plants and the fruits and vegetables that support us. The chanting and healing energies around the world are over 7,000 years old.
In all her endeavors, Kahumoku remains true to the Hawaiian values ​​that are a part of her life. He believes that we should all act with aloha, integrity and mutual respect, treating each other the way we want to be treated.
“Other important values ​​for all people are kala mai, being sorry and forgiving; mahalo, gratitude, to be grateful for the blessings of life; akahai, kindness to be expressed with tenderness; and ahonui, patience to be expressed with perseverance â€, he said. “These are just a few of the traits that express the warmth and sincerity of the people of Hawaii.”
Paulos noted, “The stress of Covid made me turn to the creative side within me to find something positive to do to counter the flood of bad news and fear that was present in the news. It was so good to create Aloha Blessings in a time of such need. The results are direct and immediate. We know each other through music. It brings joy in the midst of the pandemic, and it’s a wonderful way to connect. “
Host of Maui’s longest-running radio talk show, Paulos has conducted over 18,000 interviews over the course of many years, with eight of her Grammy-nominated CDs. Since being named the winner of the UNESCO Cross-Cultural & Peace Crafters Prize, she has been involved in UNESCO Peace Projects, a specialized United Nations agency aimed at promoting global peace and security through international cooperation in fields of education, science and culture.
With a background in communications, Paulos also broadcasts the Maui Peace Project, a weekly Zoom show, radio show, and podcast to share the work and wisdom being made statewide and around the world. The show can be found on YouTube, Inspirational Radio KUOSFM.com. and several times on Akaku. In October 2021, Paulos received the Gandhi Peace Award, which inspired her to help others find this place of peace within.
“I want to spread the word to inspire others to work for harmony and goodwill in their communities and in the world”, said Paulos. “My rewards continually motivate me to do more. The world is in dire need of peacemakers, and we must all do our part in making everyday life a little smoother. Even a smile works!
This Thanksgiving, Paulos and Kahumoku said they had much to be thankful for. They agreed, “Gratitude changes your perception. It facilitates contentment, makes you aware of all the blessings you have, and strengthens relationships. Goodwill and benevolence are really the most important things anyone can believe in. All faiths, all religions can agree on this.
Paulos noted, “Thanksgiving brings forth the season of reflection and gratitude for all of our personal and earthly blessings. The season lights the bulb with an attitude of thanksgiving, helping to see the positive in all things, as well as the spiritual connection we share.
Kahumoku added, “This time of year, the Hawaiian Makahiki season, has always focused on bringing the community together in a spirit of abundance, gratitude, peace and healing. I am so thankful for my little farm in the mountains of West Maui. My goal has always been to be sustainable and to feed people. I had the chance to tap into my visions through my music, my teaching, my farming and all the things that are close to my heart. The principle is simple. Be kind, be grateful, be happy and have a wonderful vacation – with aloha! “
Tune in to Cindy Paulos’ Thanksgiving interview with George Kahumoku Jr. on Wednesday, Nov. 24 on KAOI from 1:05 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., when Uncle George will sing. “Mahalo Ke Akua” and other selections.
