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Album Summary
Olomana, the Hawaiian soft rock and contemporary folk trio led by the gifted Jerry Santos, laid something truly special down on wax in 1976 when they released 'Like A Seabird In The Wind' through Poki Records — a label that was right at the heart of the Hawaiian music renaissance blooming across the islands at that time. Recorded in Hawaii and breathing the very air of those shores, this album finds Olomana in a pure and earnest moment, weaving together smooth harmonies, gentle acoustic instrumentation, and lyrics steeped in the soul of Native Hawaiian identity. Produced within the spirit of a cultural revival that was calling a people back to their roots, this record stands as a testament to what happens when artists are deeply, authentically connected to the land and the language they are singing about.
Reception
- The album was warmly embraced throughout Hawaii, where Olomana had already built a devoted following through heartfelt live performances and consistent airplay on local Hawaiian radio stations.
- While the record did not make noise on mainland U.S. charts, it moved with real authority through the Hawaiian regional market, where it found the audience it was always meant to reach.
- The title track and selections from the album became beloved staples of the contemporary Hawaiian music scene, reinforcing Olomana's standing as essential voices of the Hawaiian Renaissance era.
Significance
- 'Like A Seabird In The Wind' is regarded as a genuine artifact of the Hawaiian Renaissance — that powerful 1970s cultural movement dedicated to reviving Native Hawaiian language, music, and identity through contemporary artistic expression, and Olomana carried that torch with grace.
- The sound Olomana crafted on this album helped give shape to what would come to be recognized as contemporary Hawaiian music, blending acoustic pop and soft rock warmth with deeply local Hawaiian themes in a way that lit a path for generations of island artists who followed.
- The album's reverent focus on Hawaii's natural beauty, spiritual landscape, and cultural memory gave it an emotional staying power that transcended its era, cementing its place as a cherished and enduring piece of Hawaiian musical heritage.
Tracklist
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A1 The Lion 175
7:20
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A2 Kuu Home O Kahaluu —
6:20
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A3 Home 106
2:30
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A4 Grandfather's Music 103
2:35
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A5 Ku'u Lei Awapuhi —
3:50
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B1 O Malia 89
4:50
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B2 So Free 139
5:10
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B3 Seabird 126
6:12
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B4 Lullabye 73
3:46
Artist Details
Olomana is a beautiful Hawaiian musical trio that came together on the islands of Hawaii in the early 1970s, weaving together the gentle sounds of contemporary folk, soft pop, and the deep roots of traditional Hawaiian music into something that just feels like warm island breezes and golden sunsets. Led by the brilliant Jerry Santos, the group became one of the most beloved acts in the Hawaiian Renaissance, a cultural movement that breathed new life into native Hawaiian language, music, and identity at a time when those traditions desperately needed a champion. Their lush harmonies and heartfelt songwriting made them icons not just in the islands but among anyone who ever felt the soul of Hawaii in their bones, and their legacy continues to resonate as a shining testament to the power of music in preserving a people's spirit and heritage.
