Daniel’s musical inclinations were apparent at an early age. His first instruments were organ and ‘ukulele, then he graduated to classical guitar and piano, electric guitar, bass, drums, and eventually, voice. He dreamt big and followed his aspirations. This led him to study composing, arranging and film scoring at the Grove School of Music in Los Angeles. Shortly afterwards, he began his professional career as the leader, keyboardist, composer, and producer for Kilauea, a contemporary jazz group he formed in 1990. By 1997, Kilauea had released six chart-topping albums, two of which hit the Top 10 on Billboard’s jazz charts.
As momentum of the smooth-jazz genre waned, Daniel set his sights on starting an independent record label. He longed for artistic freedom, a rare privilege in the music industry. His interests in photography and graphic design complimented the built-in responsibilities of marketing and production. In 1998 he launched Daniel Ho Creations. It began as a vanity effort and consisted of his solo piano and Hawaiian slack key guitar recordings. Slowly, the releases grew into collaborative projects that featured Hawaiian hymns, hula, ‘ukulele, and slack key guitar music. To date, Daniel Ho Creations has released over fifty acoustic and Hawaiian-themed CDs by many of Hawai‘i’s most respected artists, who are first and foremost, friends. Daniel has received numerous Hawaiian music industry accolades including three Na Hoku Hanohano awards and eight Hawai‘i Music Awards.
In recent years, Daniel has been able to remain true to his craft and focus on what he loves most: the music. He is an accomplished singer and songwriter who has shared his music as a soloist throughout the U.S., Tasmania, Germany, and Japan. He has been featured with the Honolulu Symphony; toured as a keyboardist and guitarist for Grammy Award-winning vocalist, Peabo Bryson; guest-lectured at Stanford University; and authored instructional books on ‘ukulele and slack key guitar.
Daniel is a Yamaha guitar artist and plays Koaloha ‘ukuleles.
Aloha Oe
Daniel Ho Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ke nihi aʻela i ka nahele
E hahai (uhai) ana paha i ka liko
Pua ʻāhihi lehua o uka
Aloha ʻoe, aloha ʻoe
E ke onaona noho i ka lipo
One fond embrace,
Until we meet again
(Instruments play)
Aloha ʻoe, aloha ʻoe
E ke onaona noho i ka lipo
One fond embrace,
A hoʻi aʻe au
Until we meet again
The Hawaiian love song Aloha Oe by Daniel Ho is a bittersweet farewell to someone who is departing, with the rain proudly falling on the hills and the forest rustling with delight as the person bids their loved ones goodbye. The opening line "Haʻaheo ka ua i nā pali" is translated to mean the rain is proud in the mountains, which symbolizes the deep love and pride that the Hawaiians have for their land. The second line "Ke nihi aʻela i ka nahele" refers to forests that are rustling with joyful anticipation, as the persona leaves the woods to pursue their journey.
The chorus "Aloha ʻoe, aloha ʻoe," which means farewell, farewell, is replete with longing and sadness as the two lovers part ways. The person leaving is asked to dwell in fondness and embrace the bitter-sweet memories of the moments passed while in the embrace of their loved ones. The last line is "A hoʻi aʻe au, until we meet again," a reflection of the hope to see the person again. The song captures the essence of a final goodbye and the pain that comes with parting.
Line by Line Meaning
Haʻaheo ka ua i nā pali
The rain is proud as it falls on the mountains
Ke nihi aʻela i ka nahele
Swiftly moving through the forests
E hahai (uhai) ana paha i ka liko
Perhaps chasing after the buds
Pua ʻāhihi lehua o uka
Blooming ʻāhihi lehua flowers of the uplands
Aloha ʻoe, aloha ʻoe
Farewell to you, farewell to you
E ke onaona noho i ka lipo
The charming one who dwells in the shaded bowers
One fond embrace,
One last hug
A hoʻi aʻe au
Until I return
Until we meet again
Until we see each other again
Contributed by Kaitlyn T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@zochhuanachhangte3644
Lyrics :
Ha'aheo ka ua i na pali
Ke nihi a'ela i ka nahele
E hahai (Uhai) ana paha i ka liko
Pua 'ahihi lehua o uka
Aloha 'oe, aloha 'oe
E ke onaona noho i ka lipo
A fond embrace
A ho'i a'e au
Until we meet again
@edyoung8014
As a longtime musician, I think this is the most beautiful rendition of this haunting song I have ever heard. Remaining true to the Queen's Sacred Islands sentiment is no small task.
@DanielHodotcom
So glad you like it!
@edyoung8014
One can't (or shouldn't) really separate the guitar from the vocal, but your exquisitely clean, harmonically rich, yet subtle guitar work is a masterclass in itself for how vocal accompaniment should be. @@DanielHodotcom
@igorg.6830
Вне всякого сомнения, дорогой друг! Это лучшее исполнение. Тип как бы проживает в песне целую жизнь.
@joncaju
Beautifully sung 💝 I am here after hearing Yo Yo Ma playing a cello version of this beloved Hawaii folksong in dedication to the people of Maui who suffered great losses in the August 2023 wildfires 🙏
@DanielHodotcom
Thank you for listening! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Praying for everyone on Maui. We have many friends there.
@BruceOldSargeWalden
Oddly, I don't understand the words, but I understand the spirit behind them. Not many songs get me like this one. I made me cry real tears. How beautifully done.
@SW2799
Wow. Just wow! Beautiful song and beautiful rendition.
@aarontracy4135
I just lost my home and everything in it to the Lahaina fires. Lahaina felt so safe and comforting, the only place I’ve ever been able to be myself fully. This song came to me again today and it hit me all again. I don’t know if you can feel this type of longing in this song for a place but I feel it for Lahaina.
@DanielHodotcom
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I'm glad you are ok, and this song brings some comfort. Wishing you all the best. aloha, Daniel