“We Are Hawaiian, Use Your Library”

I remember that old local TV commercial like it was yesterday, when really it was like 15 years ago. A bunch of kids proudly sharing their ethnicity with viewers and relating it all to one big message:

“I am Hawaiian Filipino, I am Hawaiian Chinese, I am Hawaiian Samoan … We are Hawaiian, Use your library!”

And guess what, the first thing I did upon returning to Hawaii this March was to, well, use my library. Believe it or not, the Hawaii Public Library offers the chance for patrons to borrow vinyl records. I kid you not. Real Hawaiian music you sometimes can’t find on any other format, free* for your listening pleasure!

Here’s a sampling of what Hawaiian Soul/Hawaii Funk/Hawaiian Jazz I borrowed from my local library. Only in Hawaii, right?

Check back soon for much, much more! (Now’s a good time to subscribe to Aloha Got Soul).

*”Free” doesn’t mean you should go and borrow these records “forever”. They belong to everyone, be respectful and shame on you for even thinking about keeping them for yourself.