Grammy-nominated producer. Entrepreneur. Award-winning songwriter. Performer. Mentor. Style icon. Mom of two. What an honor it is to be able to work with the incredible Kimié Miner!
I felt Kimié’s star power through my car radio the first time I heard one of her songs. But it wasn’t until she had her first baby, ʻŌmealani, that we connected over the challenges and the many laughs that come with balancing mom life and running a business.
Our second collaboration with Kimié releases Monday Feb 17 and was inspired by the song "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" off of her Grammy-nominated Hawaiian Lullaby album. The print will be released on our buttery soft swaddle blankets and quilts, and will feature the lyrics of the classic lullaby in both the English and Hawaiian languages. Read below for our talk story, what goes in to making a Hawaiian language album, and updates on what’s coming next (hint: there’s a part 2 album on it’s way!).
-
The Hawaiian Lullaby album is such a joyful experience for us as listeners. Tell me, what inspired you to make a lullaby album?
I was inspired to sing lullabies when I became a mother. You are my Sunshine (This Little Light of Mine) was the first song I recorded with my co-producer Imua Garza. I wanted to sing songs in both English and our native Hawaiian language to teach my children and myself our language. After we finished the first single I knew we were on to something special so I reached out to my friends, other Hawai’i based artists, to sing their favorite lullabies. We worked with Hawaiian Language practitioners to help us translate or as we call it interpret, these popular songs into ‘ōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language).
-
Did the feeling of making the album differ from other projects you've worked on?
Yes, not only was a child born on 2/23/18 but a mother was born also. My lifeʻs work has changed since then.
-
Why did you choose to include the song "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star"? Does the song have any special significance for you and your family?
Twinkle, Twinkle is a classic lullaby song that I've always loved. We knew we wanted to include a Hawaiian version on this album and Kapena was the perfect family to cover the song. I got to witness the magic of them recording this song and effortlessly harmonizing with each other, father, daughters and son. They did an amazing job!
-
Tell us about the translation process - did you translate the lyrics literally or did you have to take a different approach due to the more poetic nature of the Hawaiian language?
Instead of translating the song, we had Hawaiian language and cultural practitioner, Kaumakaiwa Kanakaʻole interpret the song. I shared the original poem written by Jane Taylor with her and she interpreted the words for us:
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star // 'Imo'imo Hōkū Iki
How I Wonder What You Are // Ha'oha'o Au Iā 'Oe
-
What do your children, Ōmealani and Hokuaola, think of the album? Do they have a favorite song on the album?
ʻŌmealani loves every song. She loves to sing along and recently started learning some hula moves too. Hokua loves it all!
-
What's next for you, you busy mama!?
Weʻre already thinking about Hawaiian Lullaby Volume 2!
And Haku Collective will continue to work in our community doing our free Melecraft songwriting mentorships with up and coming music artists between ages 13-25. We also support established music artists. Find more at HakuHawaii.com
