The songs on Ata Damasco’s album, Pa’ina (Hawaiian feast – translation) are now some of my favorites among a Hawaiian collection of songs totaling more than 2,000. The songs range from a party favorite like `Ai Kakou and Mauna Loa to seldom recorded vintage treasures like He Aloha No `O Waianae and Lena Machado’s Holau (with an English verse given by Aunty Lena to Uncle Larry Arieta, who taught it to Ata).

A gifted multi-instrumentalist, Ata plays all of the rhythm instruments, much of the lead (piano, ukulele, guitar) and all of the bass on his celebrated and battered 100-year-old upright bass with its weed-whip-chord strings. He is ably assisted by steel guitarists Dwight Tokumoto, Vinton Castro, and Charlie Kealoha Fukuba, and guitarists Jonathon Ka`onohi and Jeff Costello. Cody Pueo Pata, Kaiolohia Funes Smith, and the Na Leo Malu Trio add some backing vocals. My favorite song on the album is “Pua ‘Ahihi.” I’ve listened to that song with more sunsets than any other song in my iTunes library. Check it out – Aloha.