A Breath of Fresh Air—Lena Naipo and Kahulanui
By Shirley Stoffer Aloha, Hawaiian music fans! Remember the excitement you felt the first time you heard the sweet harmonies of the group, Hui ‘Ohana? Or when you first heard the banjo, fiddle, and dobro on Peter Moon’s Sunday Manoa…
Carly Smith: A Humble Powerhouse of a Musician with Deep Musical Roots
By Shirley Stoffer Carly Smith has music in her blood, and music IS her lifeblood—it’s what makes her tick. “Music is medicine to me. It’s part of every aspect of my life,” she says. Carly hails from a family that…
Meet Sustainable Reggae Artist Sahra Indio
By Jessica Kirkwood Reggae—with its catchy rhythms and poignant messages—was born on the island of Jamaica in the 1960s and made its way to Hawai‘i nearly two decades later—right around the time Sahra Indio first landed here, too. “I identify…
Community Building with ‘Ukulele: Andy Andrews and Fun with P.U.K.A
By Shirley Stoffer Andy Andrews, co-founder of the legendary ‘Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz in California, is now bringing his love of people, music and fun to the Big Island of Hawai’i. Those of us who know him were certain…
Driving Fast with Brittni Paiva: A Young ‘Ukulele Virtuoso Speeding Toward Stardom
By Shirley Stoffer The music world keeps opening new doors for Brittni Paiva, the 23-year-old ‘ukulele star from Hilo. She has been making music since the age of four, when she started playing piano. At age 11, her uncle gave…
Konabob and the Unique Kona Walkingbass
By Shirley Stoffer Bob Stoffer, known as “Konabob” to many people in Hawai’i and around the world, had loved Hawai’i and Hawaiian music for a long time before moving to the island. He listened to Hawaiian music at his bakery…
A Passionate Kanaka Maoli*: Keoki Kahumoku—Inspiring the Next Generation with ‘Ukulele, Guitar and Life Skills
*Native of this land By Shirley Stoffer Keoki Kahumoku is a passionate guy. His beautiful musical talent comes naturally, genetically, from a family that’s well-known in Hawaiian music. But it’s almost secondary to his passions — about many things, from…
Gary Washburn: Jazzing Up a High School Band
By Catherine Tarleton It’s a bright, windy afternoon in Honoka’a for the Peace Day Festival, and the Honoka‘a High School Jazz Band is rocking the field with some big, belted-out blues by a diminutive female vocalist. The kids play with…
Aloha Music Camp: Awakening Hawaiian Spirit—Keola Beamer and Mohala Hou ‘Ohana
By Marya Mann Slack key artist Keola Beamer, world traveler, performer, composer and master musician—a Hawaiian who has earned a place on Billboard’s Top World Music Albums chart – also has a sense of place. Today it’s Keauhou, a historically…
Time-Out with the Amazing Bosco: Troubador, Kona Icon, Recording Artist and New-Age Musical Alchemist
By Marya Mann The man may be ahead of his time, but time is running short this day for Bosco as he stuffs electrical cords and mechanical contraptions into his bags. Check. Preparing for his performance at the seaside Kona…
Bruddah Kuz’ Family Album—Maunakea Family Productions: Music, Family, and Youth Advocacy
By Hadley Catalano The story of Iopa Maunakea’s community dedication is woven like a melodic theme through his life’s work, beginning with his grandmother, Katherine Maunakea. His story is not complete without hers. As a community organizer in the district…
Puna Men Sing from the Heart
By Noel Morata When friends and newcomers first attend a performance by the Puna Men’s Chorus (PMC), they are mesmerized with the surprises in every show. Part cabaret, part theater, all these beautiful voices meld together in a superbly entertaining…
Jazzy Maggie—a Musician for Life
By Colin John Walking into and experiencing a Maggie Herron show is like stumbling serendipitously into a tropical jazz oasis: soothing, calming, exciting and eminently enjoyable. The sounds that emanate from her piano, combined with her jazzy, sensual voice, make…
Rob Yamanoha: One Akamai Hilo Music Man
By Colin John Driving over Saddle Road and into Kaumana, on the mauka side of Hilo, I am looking forward to speaking with the multi-talented Rob Yamanoha. Still a young man, Rob wears many musical hats: guitarist, songwriter, producer, performer,…
John Keawe: Hawai‘i Island-Born Slack Key Master
By Ke Ola Music Correspondent Colin John It’s a slightly overcast, late summer day in the little town of Hawi in North Kohala—one of those typical Kohala mornings where blazing sunshine mingles with the threat of rain. Clouds march majestically…
M. Kalani Souza: An Ecological Music Man Making a Splash
By Ke Ola Music Correspondent Colin John Many on The Big Island may know Kalani Souza as a great musician whose personality lights up the room when he enters and takes the stage—either solo or with Sugah Daddy or Hamakua…
He Knows the Uke from the Inside Out: Sam Rosen—Craftsman, Teacher, and Historian
By Margaret Kearns Longtime Hawai‘i Island resident Sam Rosen is preserving one of Hawaii’s cultural treasures, one student and one ‘ukulele at a time. Soon after relocating to Hawai‘i Island 33 years ago, Rosen found he finally had the time…
Feeling Good, Bringing Joy, and Cleared for Take-Off: Mili Nanea
By Colin John Ke Ola Magazine Music Correspondent Take three pedigreed and talented musicians with mutual respect for one another. Add patience, perseverance, family, community, faith and friends. Combine together in a laid-back home environment utilizing a strong work ethic.…
Creating Ha with Bolo: He’s “Been There, Done That,” and Made the T-Shirt
With Music Correspondent Colin John Bolo Mikiela Rodrigues, or “Bolo” as he is best known, greets me at the gate of his family home—which also serves as his design workshop and inspirational hale—with a friendly smile and an affable, ”Howzit?”…
A Dream To Reality: The First Kona Jazz Festival—Brittni Paiva and Cyril Pahinui Talk Story
By Colin John Wouldn’t it be wonderful if…” is an oft-heard phrase when people are dreaming or thinking about possibilities. One such dream that has become a reality is the First Annual Kona Jazz Festival, set to take place at…
Teens Take the Stage in SONG: Stars Of the Next Generation
By Hadley Catalano A group of 15 teenagers—unsupervised and listening to music—gather inside on a sunny Sunday afternoon in early November. It’s hot inside the old attic space of the Aloha Performing Arts Center LOFT and the kids are sweating.…
