This endeavor, tapping buddies in slack and steel, mixes traditional favorites from the instrumental genre, plus a few vocals. The Friends include Todd Rundgren, Bill Kruetzmann and Charlie Musselwhite, but it's Emerson who is front and center, instrumentally and vocally.

Homage is paid to various Island places, like "Miloli'i" on the Big Island and "Nani Kaua'i."

A few tracks are straight from the steel primer, like Andy Iona's "Sand" fave from 1930, and " 'O Akua," the John Lincoln classic, here performed with the harmonic English lyrics.

Some cuts are exploratory and fun: The Santo & Johnny hit of 1959, "Sleep Walk," is faithful to steel, with a ki ho'alu presence attached; "Endless Summer," from the 1966 surfing saga by Bruce Brown, brings back memories of sunny, watery splendors again with steel, slack and 'ukulele treatment; and a Bob Marley reggae tune from 1970, "Small Axe," experiments outside normal realms.

Emerson's brother, Phil Emerson, joins in on "Feelin' No Pain," recalling the times they worked together as the Emerson Brothers, retaining a vintage Hawaiian sound.

For hula enthusiasts, two classics — " 'Ulili E" and "E Lei E" — are part of the wonderful journey into Island history.

Production notes, including credits, brief explanations of the tracks and selected lyrics, complete a tidy packaging job.

Sample song: "Miloli'i Slack Key" by Ken Emerson and Friends

The fare is largely familiar — personal renderings of "No Ke Ano Ahiahi," "E Ku'u Sweet Lei Poina 'Ole," "Pauoa Liko Ka Lehua," "Pua Lililehua," "Ka Makani Ka'ili Aloha," "Palolo," "E Nihi Ka Hele," "Kaimana Hila." It's like a best-of-Hawai'i assembly, some with lyrics, others with the nostalgic burst of ki ho'alu.

Inglis' title song, composed for his wife, Christa, is a sentimental newbie; his other original, "Pomaika'i No Kakou," captures the spirit of yesteryear in lyrics (English and Hawaiian) and in melody. To discover more about the artist and to examine lyrics (not on the CD), go to http://myspace.com/stepheninglis or www.stepheninglis.com.

Sample song: "Pomaika'i No Kakou" by Stephen Inglis

The reflective, melodic compositions have folk, classical and pop seasoning, with an occasional Island influence. "Five Years," the featured tune, was composed by Leong on the fifth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Anew Wang, one of his guitar guests, co-wrote "Aloha Papalua," which clearly has Island resonance.

Leong has a romantic flair, with performances that are tranquil and emotive, and he's able to send images and remembrances of times and themes that touch the soul. Surely, you'll find the beauty of his imagery in cuts such as "Prayer for the City," "Manoa Morning," "Passing Showers," "Sunday" and " 'Ukulele Etude." As implied by the CD title, this journey travels well, no matter how near or far you are from home.

Sample song: "Five Years" by Darin Leong