LORNA LIM

Honolulu Star Bulletin 09/11/2009:


"Lorna Lim makes another significant contribution to the extensive discography of the Lim Family with this exquisitely crafted album.

Lim, her parents, sisters and brother Elmer "Sonny" Lim Jr. won back-to-back Hoku Awards (Traditional Hawaiian Album) in 1981 and 1982, and the group returned to the winners' circle following her father's death to win a third Hoku (Group of the Year) in 2002.

"Polinahe" is now an obvious front-runner in several categories for the 2010 Hoku Awards, and it would represent Hawaii beautifully at next year's Grammy Awards as well.

Lim's voice is as sweet as it when the Lim Family's recording of "Pua Olena" first hit almost 30 years ago. Now as then, her singing takes the listener to a place that is soothing and pure. Grammy Award-winning producer Charles Michael Brotman surrounds her with talent while keeping the arrangements traditionalist in context.

All but one song is Hawaiian; "Lovely Hula Girl," by Jack Pitman and Randy Oness, adds a hapa-haole classic to the package. Lim recorded these songs with hula dancers in mind. Her zesty rendition of "Ka Ha Ua La" will get ti leaf skirts flying from Kauai to Ka'u.

"Kapilimehana," "Alekoki" and "He Nani o Moloka'i" also stand out as hula numbers. With "Aloha No," Lim transcends the language barrier with the sweetness of her voice. The title song is memorable for the same reason.

Hula cannot exist without lyrics. They're posted at www.palmrecords.com."