Ke Kukima Polinahe
Polynesian and Hawaiian Music
for Appalachian Dulcimer

CD and Tab Book

Ke Kukima Polinahe... the Hawaiian word polinahe means both “sweet, gentle music” and “narrow waisted.” And kukima is the Hawaiian way to pronounce “dulcimer”... What better name for this sweet-voiced, gentle Appalachian folk instrument?

This is the first-ever collection of classic Hawaiian & Polynesian music arranged for the Appalachian dulcimer - "Hi`ilawe," the essential Hawaiian song about an illicit love affair; "Tiare Tahiti," a beautiful Tahitian melody, King Kalakaua's immortal "Sweet Leilehua" - and many more.

The recording features 16 beautiful and restful songs performed on Appalachian dulcimer and Swedish hummel, along with Hawaiian slack key guitar and `ukulele. If you love the sound of Hawaiian slack key music, wait until you hear it played on the dulcimer!

The 76 page book features complete transcriptions of all of the music on the CD in standard notation and tablature, playiing notes, tips on adapting Hawaiian music to the dulcimer, plus notes on the songs and resources for further listening and study. The book has been completely revised and expanded for this second edition. For intermediate and advanced players (and serious beginners). All songs arranged for three-string dulcimer in D-A-D, D-G-D and C-G-C tunings.

CD and Book available separately.

Hawaiian slack key guitar and the Appalachian dulcimer have more in common than you may think. Both use a variety of open tunings and unstopped strings and both sound best when playing sweet, soothing music straight from the heart. And many of the classic Hawaiian and Polynesian melodies stem from the same 19th Century church and popular songs familiar to our ears.
Mark has been playing the dulcimer and slack key for many years, so it is only natural that he would combine the two. He recorded a slack key and dulcimer arrangement of Silent Night in the early 90s, later his Aloha Medly was chosen as one of the outstanding cuts on Mel Bay's 2000 Dulcimer book and CD. And Mark's classes in workshops in Polynesian music for the dulcimer have proven popular at festivals and music camps across the country.

Songs on the CD and Book:
‘Akaka Falls
Kahuli Aku
Lei Ohu
Püpü O Ewa
Wehiwehi ‘Oe
Tiare Tahiti
Ahe Lau Makani
Ahi Wela
Hi‘ilawe
Moloka‘i Waltz
Nanea Kou Maka i ka Le‘ale‘a
Pua Sadinia
Sweet Leilehua
Kaulana Nä Pua
Pauoa Liko ka Lehua
Ua Like Nö a Like
Isa Lei
Aloha ‘Oe
Sanoe