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This story has been transformed into a symphonic tone poem by composer Dan Welcher with text by Ann McCutchan. The music, using three ancient Hawaiian chant-tunes, many authentic percussion instruments, and six Polynesian scales, was crafted as both a children's story and a piece of mature contemporary music, designed to appeal on many levels. The music can be performed without narration.
Haleakala was premiered in September 1991. It was commissioned by the Honolulu Symphony as part of the Meet the Composer Orchestra Residency Program.
It may be heard on compact disc (Marco Polo 8.223457) in a recording by the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Donald Johanos, with narration by Richard Chamberlain.