Amy Hanaiali‘i Gilliom Essentials

Think of the traditional music of Hawaii and the warbling upper register of the island's folk songs wafts to mind. But the art of ha'i, the female falsetto vocal style, was imperiled until the arrival of Amy Hanaiali‘i Gilliom in the mid '00s. Gilliom's voice spun ha'i into something ethereal and elegant, and—paired with her ability to swoop into a more earthy, folk-friendly register—helped bring native Hawaiian music into the 21st century. From mournful odes to joyous dance numbers, this playlist makes any hula into a sophisticated affair.