Ululoa Productions - Ata Damasco

"Were music a meal, then Pa`ina is gourmet dining, Hawaiian style."

This generous CD of 15 songs is truly a feast for the ears. The songs range from party favorites 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).
Includes five of Ata’s own compositions, two of which honor his home-town, Wailuku, Maui. His great aloha for Ni`ihau and its community is expressed in Aia Ni`ihau and Nani Wale E Pakala. The originals stand alongside the classics in timeless fashion.
Ata’s vocals and arrangements have fully matured in this collection. His Pua `Ahihi and He Nani Helena are expressive and melting, Palolo and Kumukahi are spirited, and Green Rose Hula is fresh and innovative.
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.
Ata is well-known for the 1997 Valley Boys CD and the 2001 Hoku-nominated Hawaiian gospel collection From the Valley to the Throne. Pa`ina shows early signs of being his most successful CD yet.
The recording of Pa`ina was as memorable as the result. Friends and fellow musicians stopped by on an almost daily basis. Lunch break on the front porch at Ulu Loa was a time for stories and memories of the many legends of Hawaiian music that Ata learned from. We all dined on the richness of Pa`ina and now serve it up to you!

Ata's Bio | Where to Purchase

“Pa`ina” – the songs:

He Aloha No `O Waianae –
Ata pays tribute to music mentor Uncle Larry Arieta is this exuberant song about O`ahu’s Waianae Coast and community.
Nani Wale E Pakala –
Pakala is the Kaua`i coastal community that provides boat service to Ni`ihau. It is also the home place of Aunty Momi Kaohelauli`i, for whom Ata wrote and dedicates this song.
Mauna Loa –
Helen Lindsey Parker’s classic party and hula favorite -- this kolohe song has several interpretations!
Holau –
Ata’s vocals are perfectly suited for this Lena Machado composition. It includes a never before recorded English verse given by Lena to Uncle Larry Arieta. The song’s soulfulness is enhanced by backing vocals by Na Leo Malu Trio.
`Ai Kakou –
A raucous tribute to eating!
My Lovely Flower –
The only English-language song on the CD, this is George Ka`apana’s song for his wife Tina.
He `Aina Kona –
Ata co-wrote this song with Uncle Larry Arieta several years ago, and Aunty Nona Kaluhiokalani’s halau won a competition with their hula to it.
Green Rose Hula –
Ata’s uke sounds like a mandolin, and the alternating minor and major keys represent a romantic ?duel? between the lovers.
Pua `Ahihi –
A Mary Kawena Puku`i/Maddy Lam classic that Ata delivers with chills and chicken skin.
Hanohano No Wailuku –
A recent Ata composition, it debuted at the 2002 Keiki Hula Competition in Honolulu by dancers from Pukalani Hula Hale.
Aia Ni`ihau –
Ata expresses his aloha for Ni`ihau in this moving mele.
Kumukahi –
A spirited song for the easternmost `aina of the Big Island.
He Nani Helena –
Heartfelt and expressive, Hawaiian falsetto at its best.
Palolo –
A Charles King composition and favorite of Lena Machado’s.
Na Wehi O Wailuku –
Ata’s near-reverent song of aloha and gratitude to his home, Wailuku, Maui, provides a moving end to the feast.

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"Were music a meal, then Pa`ina is gourmet dining, Hawaiian style." This generous CD of 15 songs is truly a feast for the ears. The songs range from party favorites 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). Includes five of Ata’s own compositions, two of which honor his home-town, Wailuku, Maui. His great aloha for Ni`ihau and its community is expressed in Aia Ni`ihau and Nani Wale E Pakala. The originals stand alongside the classics in timeless fashion. Ata’s vocals and arrangements have fully matured in this collection. His Pua `Ahihi and He Nani Helena are expressive and melting, Palolo and Kumukahi are spirited, and Green Rose Hula is fresh and innovative. 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. Ata is well-known for the 1997 Valley Boys CD and the 2001 Hoku-nominated Hawaiian gospel collection From the Valley to the Throne. Pa`ina shows early signs of being his most successful CD yet. The recording of Pa`ina was as memorable as the result. Friends and fellow musicians stopped by on an almost daily basis. Lunch break on the front porch at Ulu Loa was a time for stories and memories of the many legends of Hawaiian music that Ata learned from. We all dined on the richness of Pa`ina and now serve it up to you! Ata's Bio \| Where to Purchase
	“Pa`ina” – the songs: He Aloha No `O Waianae – Ata pays tribute to music mentor Uncle Larry Arieta is this exuberant song about O`ahu’s Waianae Coast and community. Nani Wale E Pakala – Pakala is the Kaua`i coastal community that provides boat service to Ni`ihau. It is also the home place of Aunty Momi Kaohelauli`i, for whom Ata wrote and dedicates this song. Mauna Loa – Helen Lindsey Parker’s classic party and hula favorite -- this kolohe song has several interpretations! Holau – Ata’s vocals are perfectly suited for this Lena Machado composition. It includes a never before recorded English verse given by Lena to Uncle Larry Arieta. The song’s soulfulness is enhanced by backing vocals by Na Leo Malu Trio. `Ai Kakou – A raucous tribute to eating! My Lovely Flower – The only English-language song on the CD, this is George Ka`apana’s song for his wife Tina. He `Aina Kona – Ata co-wrote this song with Uncle Larry Arieta several years ago, and Aunty Nona Kaluhiokalani’s halau won a competition with their hula to it. Green Rose Hula – Ata’s uke sounds like a mandolin, and the alternating minor and major keys represent a romantic ?duel? between the lovers. Pua `Ahihi – A Mary Kawena Puku`i/Maddy Lam classic that Ata delivers with chills and chicken skin. Hanohano No Wailuku – A recent Ata composition, it debuted at the 2002 Keiki Hula Competition in Honolulu by dancers from Pukalani Hula Hale. Aia Ni`ihau – Ata expresses his aloha for Ni`ihau in this moving mele. Kumukahi – A spirited song for the easternmost `aina of the Big Island. He Nani Helena – Heartfelt and expressive, Hawaiian falsetto at its best. Palolo – A Charles King composition and favorite of Lena Machado’s. Na Wehi O Wailuku – Ata’s near-reverent song of aloha and gratitude to his home, Wailuku, Maui, provides a moving end to the feast.
	HOME \| Artists \| Scrapbook \| Purchase music \| Contact