Christmas just wouldn't be the same without music. And in the Islands, Mele Kalikimaka means local artists exploring the nuances of the season.

BEST OF THE LOT

"MALUHIA" BY KEALI'I REICHEL (PUNAHELE PRODUCTIONS)

This one captures the masterful artistry of the Hawaiian favorite in all his glory. Keali'i Reichel's "O Holy Night" and "Silent Night (Po La'i E)," with spiritual and peaceful reverence, are instant classics; Puakea Nogelmeier's "Ke Au Maluhia," capturing the love and compassion of the season, is a perfect fit for Reichel, and the combination of word-and-music glory with vocal grace works magic. "Remind Me of Home," a contribution by Ben Vegas, is a reflective ditty about a cherished memory, and is the lone cut that could enjoy year-round airplay and performance. And "Merry Christmas, Darling," The Carpenters' indelible yuletide yearning, is reimagined with harmonies from Ho'okena (arranged by Horace Dudoit II) supporting Reichel's warm and toasty delivery. The disc is packaged with lyrics, translations, boyhood pictures. Rejoice!

Verdict: This year's must-have.

"CAZ CHRISTMAS" BY THE BROTHERS CAZIMERO (MOUNTAIN APPLE)

Because they have previously recorded holiday music staged in annual singfests, this 2006 entry by Robert and Roland Cazimero may sound familiar: performances of "I Love Christmas," "Up on the Housetop" (with a bridge to "Up on the Roof"), "Jingle Bell Rock," "Go to the Light" and "I Love Christmas (Aloha Kalikimaka)" are pleasant and accounted for. Robert and Roland alternate solos; their voices improve with time. And they relaunch "Carol of the Bells" and "I Love Christmas" with a mildly Latin back-beat/arrangement to keep you guessing.

Verdict: A stellar gift to give and to receive.

"CHRISTMAS ONCE MORE IN HAWAI'I NEI" BY GAIL MACK (GAIL MACK HAWAI'I)

In 1986, Gail Mack (now Mack-Nowicki) recorded a composition by Gordon Okimoto (brother of musician Noel Okimoto) that has endured. In 1996, a four-song CD was issued with the title tune, but this is her first full-fledged CD. Mack, of the George Street group, taps pal Jerry Santos on "A Christmas Lei of Wildflowers" and "Silent Night"; guitar accompaniment is by Kapono Beamer, another friend. Patrick Downes (who writes for Frank DeLima) was challenged to compose the cheerful "Korean Christmas," which pays homage to the singer's hapa-Korean roots. Downes' "Island Christmas" could be Mack's trademark in 20 years.

Verdict: Mack's merriest yet.

"MERRY CHRISTMAS" BY KEAHIWAI (808E PRODUCTIONS)

Keahiwai — Lei Melket and Mailani Makainai — offer 10 contemporary holiday hits plus one original (by Makanai), "Christmas Is Here." The target is a younger fan base, with a sensible mix: solemn ballads ("Do You Hear What I Hear?" "Silent Night," "White Christmas," "The First Noel," "Merry Christmas, Darling"), spirited items ("Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" and "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!").

Verdict: Should evolve into a classic.

"MOONBOWS FOR CHRISTMAS" BY VARIOUS ARTISTS (MOONBOW PRODUCTIONS)

Variety is the spice of this 15-track compilation (plus an opening chant), featuring Jake Shimabukuro ("Over the Rainbow"), George Kahumoku Jr. ("More Poi for You"), Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom ("Unto Us Is Born a King," "Moonbows for Christmas"), Eric Gilliom ("Dear Santa Claus," "Lucky You Live Hawai'i"), Kathy Collins ("Da Night Bafo' Christmas"), and Cyril Pahinui ("Harvest of Rainbows"). Michael Ruff produced; a portion of the proceeds go to Island programs in art, entertainment, early learning and tutoring.

Verdict: A good deed, even if all entries aren't Christmasy.

"CHRISTMAS WITH THE ROYAL HAWAIIAN BAND AND FRIENDS" BY THE ROYAL HAWAIIAN BAND AND GUESTS (ROYAL HAWAIIAN BAND)

Under bandmaster Michael Nakasone, the Royal Hawaiian Band ventures into the holiday whirlpool with a mix of singers, led by Mayor Mufi Hannemann ("Christmas Time Again, Aloha," with brother Nephi Hannemann and good pal Iva Kinimaka, and "Do You Hear What I Hear?" with Pali). It's casual and relaxing. Other notables aboard: Karen Keawehawai'i, Nalani Olds, Puamana, Nina Keali'iwahamana, Gene Roland, Penny Silva, Gary Aiko, Iwalani Kahalewai.

Verdict: Like an all-star party, guests take turns at the mike as the RHB continues as the only municipal band in the nation founded by a monarchy.

"HALELU (SONGS OF CHRISTMAS FROM HAWAI'I)" BY VARIOUS ARTISTS (ULULOA PRODUCTIONS)

This CD benefits the Maui Food Bank and Neighborhood Place of Wailuku. The songs include Ata Damasco's "Winter Wonderland" with C. Pueo Pata and Kaiolohia Smith, Smith's 'Hanau 'Ia O Iesu (Jesus Was Born)," Joni DeMello's original "E Halelu!" performed by Ahumanu (DeMello with Liz Morales), Lei'ohu Ryder's "Taro Patch Christmas" (with the Taro Patch Kids), Leimana Abenes' revival of "Mele Kalikimaka," The Hula Honeys' "Song of Christmas" and "Sleigh Ride" by Gypsy Pacific (Tom Conway, Willy Wainwright, Phil Benoit and Marcus Johnson) and the Frank Hewett favorite "Poli'ahu," rendered by Kamakele "Bulla" Ka'iliwai and others.

Verdict: A holiday lu'au for the ears.

"A KAUA'I CHRISTMAS" BY LEILANI RIVERA BOND (LEILANI RECORDS)

A homey approach — keiki and choral voices augmenting "Jingle Bells" in English and Hawaiian — reflects Island family values in the hands of singer/composer/kumu hula Leilani Rivera Bond, who captures the laid-back Garden Island from the title tune to such entries as "Noera I Kaua'i," "Merry Christmas, Darling" (with in-Hawaiian elements),"Surfing With Grandpa," "Menehune Santa" and "Mele Kalikimaka."

Verdict: Should be a Kaua'i biggie, with spill-over appeal.

DIVINE

"COOL YULE" BY BETTE MIDLER (COLUMBIA)

Bette Midler, Hawai'i's biggest star, reintroduces R. Alex Anderson's beloved "Mele Kalikimaka," with male chorus arrangements by localites Johnson Enos and Aaron Sala evoking big-band, Andrews Sisters-type backup. Midler's hapa-haole treatment is delivered in a voice that suggests tongue-in-cheek joy (you can just picture her contagious grin); she even works in a Hau'oli Makahiki Hou greeting. Two other lures: a coupling of "Winter Wonderland" with "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! " with Johnny Mathis; plus a Christmas version of "From a Distance," suitable for U.S. military serving afar and their families back home, with its message of hope and peace ("the world sings 'Silent Night' " is one updated line). The echo of maluhia rings anew, with music-box simplicity, with a universal plea for joy in the world.

Verdict: Bet on a winner.

"THE STARS ARE BRIGHTLY SHINING" BY SINGERS BEYOND BORDERS (SEAN SWINNEY RECORDING)

Lea Woods Friedman, originally from Honolulu and a frequent Hawaii Opera Theatre guest star, is one of six American opera troupers (the others are Todd Geer, Jason Hardy, Jennifer Hines, Katherine Olsen and Ryan Taylor) who routinely travel the globe. Last year, they collaborated for a benefit show in Manila; their deed to do good
resulted in this collection of timeless holiday melodies recorded under the group name Singers Beyond Borders. The disc celebrates the season and inspires global communities to continue to support music to help charitable organizations. The 16 titles range from the traditional ("O Holy Night," "Carol of the Bells") to the popular ("Do You Hear What I Hear," "Baby, It's Cold Outside"), from the solemn ("Gesu Bambino," "Ave Maria") to the nostalgic ("White Christmas," "I'll Be Home for Christmas").

Verdict: A good sing for a great cause.