Special to the Star-Bulletin
Friday, January 24, 1997

RELEASED in anticipation of the 30th anniversary of Jack and Cha Thompson's Tihati Productions (in 1999) this colorfully packaged album is primarily a tourist souvenir. There are plenty of photos of unidentified performers and dance troupes; there is no cultural information on the various musical numbers (That would have been provided by the showroom master of ceremonies).

Two songs in English, obviously written-to-order as generic opening numbers, further the impression that this is tourist fodder. One song actually welcomes the listener/audience to "Poly-knee-zee-ah." However, considering the number of visitors that see Tihati shows each year the album could be sell thousands of copies with no sales outside the Tihati showroom empire at all.

And, three tracks merit local interest. "Kawika/Kalakaua" shows that Joe Recca deserves a competently produced album of his own. "Makena Marie" and "Love Will Keep Up Alive" mark the debut of Raymond "Mondokane" Medeiros. The first song is an original and Medeiros acquits himself well remaking the Eagles' hit.Tihiti Productions should consider releasing albums by Recca and Medeiros for 1999 as well.