Actress Mapuana Makia looks toward her father Tarvin Makia as they perform with Alan Villoran at last week’s “Giving Back” celebration at University of Hawaii Maui College. Also playing was drummer Mike Santos. Mapuana Makia co-stars on the Disney+ show “Doogie Kamealoha M.D.,” a modern-day, Hawaii-based version of the early ’90s sitcom “Doogie Howser, M.D.” The father and daughter also sing a Christmas song together “Boots on the Roof” on Tarvin Makia’s Christmas CD “Makia Kalikimaka.” The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo

It’s rare for a Christmas recording to feature only original songs. With “Makia Kalikimaka,” Maui musician Tarvin Makia manages this impressive feat, composing some delightful songs that could become local favorites.

A former member of the band Hau’ula and bass player with Hapa, Makia previously released a couple of original Christmas themed tracks in 2020. Both appear on “Makia Kalikimaka,” and along with 2023 Grammy nominee Natalie Ai Kamauu, he’s joined by Female Vocalist of the Year Hoku winner Robi Kahakalau, plus his daughter, actress/singer Mapuana Makia, who stars in Disney’s “Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.”

Spreading holiday cheer would appear to be one of the goals. It’s fun, charming, and should appeal to all ages.

“Christmas to me is pure joy,” said Makia. “I love seeing people being festive, dressing up for the season, always sharing, always smiling, always caring. It is a game changer around the world around this time of the year where people soften up a little and put down their guards.”

Singing primarily in English, he collaborated with Keola Donaghy of Maui’s Institute of Hawaiian Music on two Hawaiian language songs, the jaunty “Ke Aloha Kalikimaka” performed with Kahakalau and the closing “Pa’ina Kalikimaka,” seasoned with steel guitar.

As for the inspiration behind some of the songs, “Boots on the Roof,” he explained, “is a true story sung in a swing type of groove with my daughter Mapuana Makia. We had a cat we called Boots because of his white paws. He would run across the roof occasionally. Then we’d reply Boots is on the roof again, which turned into a thought of, what if that was Santa?’

A charming homage to the joy of uke playing, “The Christmas Ukulele Song” is designed for kids to strum along. “It’s a child friendly song,” he noted. “I made it so easy to play. You don’t even have to be in pitch to get it right.”

Helping him create this jolly music are a bunch of “Santa’s little helpers” as he calls them, including drummer Josh Greenbaum, guitarist Al Villaren, bassist Marcus Johnson, Sal Godinez on keyboards, Kalae Camarillo on ukulele, Joel Katz on dobro and Casey Olsen on steel guitar.

Two songs, “Here In Hawai’i We Love Christmas Too,” and the joyous “Christmas Day,” were previously been nominated for Hokus. “‘Christmas Day’ with Natalie Ai Kamauu is one of my favorites,” he said. “It paints a picture of the holiday, then compliments the joy of what this tradition does for us.”

“Makia Kalikimaka” is available on all digital platforms. Makia currently performs at the Fairmont Kea Lani in the Luana Lounge on Monday and Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. , and the Kamaole Poolside Cafe on Sunday from 5 to 8 p.m.

Having triumphed with consecutive Grammy wins for his first three albums, Kalani Pe’a has followed-up with a celebration of Christmas, aptly titled “Purple Hawaiian Christmas,” reflecting his love for both the season and the color.

“I just love Christmas so much,” said Pe’a. “I love just giving and getting gifts, and purple is the best color in the world.”

Comprising festive favorites with two new originals, the album’s classics uniquely interpreted by Pe’a range from “Jingle Bell Rock” and a Hawaiian language version (by Mary Puku’i) of “Little Drummer Boy,” to a gorgeous take on “Silent Night (Po La’i E),” with Hoku winner Lukela Keala, where they mix verses in Hawaiian and English. Other guest artists helping him include Hoku award-winning vocalist Natalie Ai Kamauu on a soulful updating of “White Christmas,” and a rousing duet with Damon Williams on the beloved carol “O Holy Night.”

A marvelous, emotive vocalist, he especially excels on “The First Noel,” embellished with Hawaiian lyrics, and you can hear echoes of Luther Vandross’ smooth style on his jazzy original “Wrapped in a Bow.”

“I made the classic songs in my version of ‘Olelo Hawai’i,” he noted. “I wanted to collaborate with my brother Lukela Keala of Ekolu on ‘Silent Night,’ and I wanted to collaborate with Natalie Ai Kamauu, a dear friend, with ‘White Christmas,’ and do it my style.”

Pe’a opens the album with the chant “Lonomaka’ihonua,” as an homage to his grandfather. “It’s my grandfather’s middle name, and Lono is the god of wealth and procreation,” he explained. “I really wanted to honor this time of season where Lono comes in during this time in the Hawaiian perspective. I wrote that chant to honor all of us in this time where we’re near the end of the year. Let’s be with our loved ones. Let’s rejuvenate, recalibrate, and start a new year with a thriving mind set to be healthier and to be happier. The significance of the chant is to bring us together.”

“Purple Hawaiian Christmas” is available on all digital platforms. Physical CDs can be ordered at Kalanipeamusic.com/shop. Pe’a’s Christmas tour which included dates on the West Coast closes in Honolulu today.