Enchantment Under the Kiawe Tree: LIVE AT HOUSE WITHOUT A KEY

RELEASE DATE: 08.29.2025

    1. Coronation

    2. Similau

    3. Lucero

    4. Mapuana

    5. Sunrise at Kowloon

    6. Spoken Introduction

    7. Halekulani

    8. Cave of the Tarpon

Album Notes

Celebrating 65 Years of Exotica Music in Hawaiʻi

Sixty-five years ago, the enchanting sounds of Hawaiʻi's musical maestros, Martin Denny, the virtuoso pianist, and Arthur Lyman, the mesmerizing vibraphonist, ignited a national sensation with their groundbreaking albums "Exotica" and "Taboo." Through their creativity and passion, they not only crafted extraordinary music but birthed an entirely new genre — Exotica!

Emerging amidst Hawaiʻi's vibrant postwar music scene, Exotica was the quintessential, easy listening soundtrack behind many a bachelor pad, tiki bar, or globe trotters’ fantasy. The genre’s lush instrumentation and faraway soundscapes continue to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide.

A Genre Rooted in Hawaiʻi’s Musical Legacy

Halekulani played a pivotal, early role in the Exotica legacy: In 1954, Arthur Lyman, then working as a desk clerk at Halekulani, crossed paths with pianist Martin Denny. Denny offered Lyman a place in his band, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Modern Exotica ensemble The WAITIKI 7 has unveiled their latest vinyl record, Enchantment Under the Kiawe Tree: The WAITIKI 7 Live at House Without A Key, recorded during two electrifying performances in May 2024 at the legendary Halekulani. 

Marking the first live Exotica recording from Halekulani since 1965, Enchantment Under the Kiawe Tree joins the prestigious ranks of other iconic Live from Halekulani albums, including releases by The Alice Fredlund Serenaders (The Halekulani Girls), Bill Kaiwa, and the Kahauanu Lake Trio.

A Vinyl Record As Stunning As Its Sound

This record features a visually striking marbled black and cobalt blue vinyl, designed to evoke the deep blues of the Pacific Ocean when held to light. The hand-illustrated album cover pays homage to the exclusive cocktail glassware crafted for WAITIKI 7’s concerts at Halekulani.

The Enchantment album and glassware set will be available exclusively at Halekulani Boutique, the hotel’s signature shop, and a limited number of both vinyl records are available through Aloha Got Soul.

With Enchantment Under the Kiawe Tree, WAITIKI 7 reaffirms Exotica’s place in the fabric of Hawaiʻi’s musical history, ensuring that its mesmerizing rhythms continue to captivate audiences for generations to come.