Lehua with love from Lana`i is Darlene's gift for Larry, something she has wanted to do for a long time --- a gift of love and appreciation from wife to husband. Darlene produced the CD for Larry because she believes in him, and because she has supported his life and music from the moment they met. Self-producing has allowed them to create exactly what they had in mind, from the selection of the songs to choosing the musicians, the photo on the cover, the notes on the back, the words of appreciation and thanks, were all crafted by Darlene and Larry.

Lehua, the title song, was written by Bob and Irene Nelson. It is a love song for Hawai`i; lush and full, reminding one of the rain forest at Kilauea, of the startling beauty of the lehua blossoms on the silvery lava fields, of the power and wonder of the house of Pele, Goddess of the volcano.

In the words of one 20-year-old, who was asked by Darlene for his opinion of the songs on the recording, "This is the kind of CD I would buy if I had a girlfriend." This is a candlelight and wine album --- a driving along the winding road to Manele album --- a put on the stereo and take off your shoes album --- a reminder that time can be "turned back" by a flick of the switch --- by Lehua.

Mahalo to Joana Varawe - editor of the Lana`i Times for the excerpts quoted here.