Hawaiian Concert Guide – Show 695

Mele Kalikimaka: No Snow

Posting Date: January 2, 2026

This episode presents a Hawaiian-centered view of Christmas—warm weather, ʻohana, ʻukulele-forward arrangements, modern island pop, cultural continuity, and local identity. The selections reflect how Christmas is lived and felt in Hawaiʻi and across the island diaspora, without reliance on winter imagery or snow.

Playlist & Show Notes (Original Order)

• No Snow
  Anuhea — All Is Bright — 4:08
  Hawaiian
  Share: 1 of 6 – in the share
  Added / Played: 01/02/26
  

  A declarative opening track that establishes the theme of the episode. “No Snow” embraces a distinctly local Christmas experience—sunshine, island rhythms, and a confident rejection of mainland winter clichés.

• The Ukulele Christmas Song
  Anuhea — All Is Bright — 3:16
  Hawaiian
  Share: 1 of 6 – in the share
  Added / Played: 01/02/26
  

  Light, joyful, and ʻukulele-centered, this track reinforces the relaxed island tone of the show and highlights the instrument as a seasonal cultural anchor.

• At Christmas Time (feat. Pure Heart)
  Jake Shimabukuro & Pure Heart — ’Tis the Season — 4:00
  Share: 4 of 13
  Added / Played: 01/02/26
  

  Rich harmonies from Pure Heart paired with Jake Shimabukuro’s expressive ʻukulele evoke community singing traditions and the warmth of shared holiday gatherings.

• This Christmas
  Jake Shimabukuro & Justin Kawika Young — ’Tis the Season — 3:45
  Share: 8 of 13
  Added / Played: 01/02/26
  

  A soulful, contemporary take on a familiar holiday standard, blending virtuoso ʻukulele work with modern Hawaiian vocal phrasing.

• I’ll Be Home for Christmas
  Raeatea Helm — I’ll Be Home for Christmas — 4:02
  YouTube link

  A reflective, intimate performance centered on homecoming—particularly resonant for island families spread across oceans and continents.

• We Wish You a Merry Christmas
  Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain — 2:14
  YouTube link

  A playful, high-energy arrangement that highlights the ʻukulele’s global reach while adding contrast and humor to the set.

• Mele Kalikimaka
  Iam Tongi & Bing Crosby — Bing Crosby 75th Anniversary Edition — 3:45
  YouTube link (as provided)

  The centerpiece of the episode. This iconic song bridges generations, connecting a classic recording legacy with a modern Hawaiian voice and reaffirming the song’s enduring cultural role.

• Jingle Bell Rock
  Kalaʻe + Kalena + Kalikimaka 2024 — 2:35
  YouTube link

  A youthful, energetic island take on a rock-and-roll Christmas classic, injecting momentum and contemporary flair into the playlist.

• We Are a Voice
  Kalaʻe + Kalena + Kalikimaka 2024 — 4:17
  YouTube link

  More than a holiday song, this track emphasizes unity, representation, and the role of the next generation in carrying culture forward.

• Rapped in a Bow
  Kalani Peʻa — Purple Hawaiian Christmas — 3:19
  Share from 2022 — 2 of 11

  A contemporary Christmas song grounded in Hawaiian identity, blending modern production with strong cultural presence.

• Kanakaloka
  Kalani Peʻa — Purple Hawaiian Christmas — 2:33
  Share from 2022 — 9 of 11

  A culturally rooted piece that deepens the emotional and linguistic range of the episode.