Aloha mai,

I have been intrigued by this subject and I recently found a reference
while re-reading "Unwritten Literature of Hawaii: The Sacred Songs of
the Hula" by N.B. Emerson, 1909.

pp. 149-164 http://sacred-texts.com/pac/ulh/ulh25.htm

I often wondered about Hawaii's historical use of harmony pre-contact
and how would it be performed through chanting. My early thoughts on
the subject were leaning toward the use of harmony being a Western
influence. But the question that always remained was, why do
polynesians nowadays make it seem so natural to harmonize during
song? Samoans, in my opinion, have that special ability to find parts
without effort. I remember too, listening to my mom folks singing
together and they just knew how to make it sound sweet.

When reading texts written by Western authors such as N.B. Emerson,
there is some doubt in my mind regarding terminology. When he writes,
"and the following mele was sung..." Does sung mean chanted, or really
sing-song type of sound? He mana'o ko kekahi? Any thoughts?

He mau mana'o wale no ia e kukakuka ai.

Me ka 'oia'i'o,
Liko Puha

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