Keali'i Reichel: Kukahi—Live in Concert

A celebration of Hawaiian music and culture, Keali'i Reichel: Kukahi—Live in Concert, shot in high-definition video at Honolulu's Blaisdell Center, features the titular 44-year-old musician, teacher, and bestselling artist performing 25 numbers in his mother tongue (the DVD offers both Hawaiian and English subtitles), while video screens project images of sky, sea, and hills. For the nine olis (chants), Reichel wears traditional attire and is joined onstage by the Halau Ke'alaokamaile percussionists and hula dancers (including his mother). For the remaining 16 meles (songs)—a mix of traditional and original—the barefoot musician wears Western clothes and performs with three back-up singers and three guitarists, including his uncle and cousin (yes, this is a true family affair). Spanning over a decade's worth of material, the repertoire touches on fan favorites, like “E O Mai” and “Ka Nohono Pili Kai,” while guests include dancer Keali'i Ceballos and singer Ben Vegas, who performs his own “Pua Nani,” a heartfelt (if sappy) tribute to his wife. In between songs, Reichel's easygoing patter alternates between English and Hawaiian. Presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 and stereo, DVD extras include a performance with the late Uncle George Holokai at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center, and a short retrospective on Reichel's career. Recommended. Aud: P. (K. Fennessy)