Hawane Rios’ first single inspired by Mauna Kea

Upcoming Hawaiian recording artist Hawane Rios’ first CD single, “Poliahu i ke kapu,” has been nominated for a Big Island Music Award in the Single, Hawaiian Language category.

Voting is occurring online at http://www.bima-voting.com/ from Feb. 15 – 29.

Rios wrote and arranged this mele (song) as a tribute to Poliahu, the snow goddess of Mauna Kea. Rios is a native of Waimea and her roots stretch from the rolling hills of Kohala to the sandy beaches of Anaehoomalu.

“My connection to the Earth Mother is deep and true as my family has raised me to know that the Earth is as much a part of us as we are a part of it,” she said. “The beautiful power of the elements has served as inspiration for my musical compositions strengthening my connection and respect for this land as I continue to sing my praises for this world.”

Rios sends her deepest gratitude to everyone for their support and response to her composition, and Sonny Lim for engineering and mastering this song, with assistance from his daughter, Anuhea Lim.

“Poliahu i ke kapu” is available on iTunes and other online music stores with proceeds from sales being donated to the KAHEA Hawaiian-Environmental Alliance Mauna Kea Legal Defense Fund for the protection of Hawaiian cultural practices as well as the sacred sites and landscape on Mauna Kea.

Rios is currently volunteering for seven months on Kure Atoll, the Northwestern most Hawaiian Island, where she assists with the island’s native habitat restoration and protection of endangered species. While there, Rios is engaging students from various schools as well as community members in her experiences with email exchanges.

Rios is a graduate of the Kamehameha Schools – Kapalama Campus and Ka Haka Ula O Keelikolani, College of Hawaiian Language – University of Hawaii at Hilo. In 2009, she was received the Na Hoku Hanohano – Bill Murata Memorial Scholarship which inspired her to share her passion for Hawaiian music through compositions that reflect the love she has for her island home and especially for all sacred places.