Coconut Hat
Jim West is a Los Angeles musician who happily found his way to Hana. In that tranquil, isolated Maui community, he discovered the heart of Hawaii and it's ki ho 'alu (slack-key guitar) stylings. His debut CD is the result of that blessed romance.  Most of the selections convey a mellow manner reflective of the unassuming Hana lifestyle.And the wonderful thing about any ki ho 'alu tune is how much it  communicates, despite the lack of lyrics.  "Ulapalakua Sunset", for  example, paints a picture of forthcoming twilight from upcountry-with  subtleties like gentle wind, rustling branches and take-off-the-shoes  informality."Coconut Hat", the title cut, suggests a hat-maker weaving his fronds, then selling his wares to tourists-or perhaps a simple sunny day with the head shielded from the sun."Holoholo Helen Style" depicts a spunky auntie on her merry way-at least  in his nimble guitar fingerings.West says his influences were the likes of Gabby Pahinui,the Sunday Manoa  and Sons of Hawaii-pioneers, indeed-and his embrace of slack key is  reassuring evidence of its impact among those who play and perpetuate  Island music.For fellow slackers, West provides tuning notes in his liner, for the rest of us, a quick listen is a satisfying lesson in the art of strumming with slack tunings.A tip of my coconut hat to West.