Aloha,

When a baby is born at the hospital on Maui, they celebrate the arrival with a version of Brahms' Lullaby played loudly over the PA system. We respect this sentiment but it is long overdue to change this recording to one that captures more of the spirit of Hawaii.   It is a beautiful idea to celebrate the arrival of a newborn. However the version currently played is more associated with despotic regimes than the warm tropical locale of Maui. 

Bruce Scheer, a nurse practitioner who works in the ICU, is a guitarist since childhood and flinches when the current Brahms' lullaby is played (sometimes in the middle of a code) has recorded a slack key version of this song.   His version of Brahms' Lullaby is less intrusive in a hospital environment where not everyone is celebrating. It is respectful of the Hawaiian tradition of acoustic slack key guitar.   . The Hawaiians are familiar with Brahms' lullaby and play the gentle tune entitled  Hiamoe Maika’i to their children. 

In this time of learning the importance of respecting each other's traditions and cultural sensitivities, let's take a small step from playing the German version written by  Johannes Brahms, poorly recorded by some European orchestra perhaps and give it a more local theme. 

Listen to Bruce’s song by following this link: https://www.mediafire.com/file/nw5jwan1lamahpk/Hiamoe_Maika%2527i.m4a/file

If you like it, and would appreciate this version let us know by signing the petition.

Mahalo for your consideration. Please share it with as many Maui residents as you can. It is our community hospital !

hospital!