Beautiful Mele: Mark Saito Shares Aloha Through Song

By Karen Rose

There are many ways to aloha with others. Feeling the spirit of aloha is a shared experience, and one of the most meaningful ways to feel this spirit is through song. Local Hawai‘i Island musician Mark Saito is a true ambassador of the island who shares the spirit of aloha through his original, inspirational music.

A Hawai‘i Island native, Mark makes his home in Waimea, where his musical journey began at the tender age of five. His parents, Mark and Renee Saito, recognized Mark’s talent and understood it was more than a temporary interest. Consequently, they encouraged him to perform and indulge his love of music.

“I took vocal lessons from the age of six years old,” said Mark. “My parents got me involved with a lot of different functions such as Christmas plays, as well as a lot of church events. They were active in church, so I remember one of my very first public outings was to sing a solo at church [St. Joseph Mission Catholic Church in Pa’auilo] for Mother’s Day.”

Mark feels fortunate to have grown up in an environment that shaped and influenced his passion for music at such a young age. He recalls how his father was his musical role model, as well as other local musicians of the time.

“I thank my parents for my passion in music,” said Mark. “I think my biggest influence has always been my dad. My dad was a musician when I was young. He played guitar and sang, and my mom was the hula dancer. They raised me around music, and took me to various shows and concerts as a kid.”

Mark’s parents took him to see such artists as Cecilio & Kapono, Bruddah Waltah, and the Ka‘au Crater Boys. These are the musicians he came to admire. Their music inspired him to work toward playing for audiences as a professional musician and songwriter.

“Kalapana and that entire genre of island music also influenced me,” he said. “Just growing up around music, my parents really pushed me to excel in what I loved. Today I am truly blessed that my dream of being a professional musician has come true, and that I’ve been able to share the stage with many of my musical idols including Bruddah Waltah who was also featured on my debut album.”

Mark graduated from Honoka‘a High School where he was a part of the Honoka‘a Ensembles Music Program. Under the direction of Gary Washburn, this acclaimed program continues to encourage students like Mark to pursue their musical talents and passions. After high school, Mark continued his education at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon where he excelled in his studies and performed at many events and concerts around Portland.

Today, Mark describes his original music as eclectic-acoustic soul sounds. His songs are a melodic blend of his vocal range and pure-sounding tones. He performs a mix of various musical genres that include acoustic, soft rock, reggae, Hawaiian, and easy listening.

“I love all different genres, so I try to incorporate a little bit of everything in my music, not just solely one genre,” he said. “I love simple acoustic music the most.”

All of Mark’s hard work and education paid off, leading him to share the stage with many famous Hawai‘i recording artists, in addition to well-known global artists. Some of the recording artists he has performed with include Chris Isaak, Alice Cooper, Richie Sambora, Keith Urban, John Legend, and Christopher Cross, to name a few.

Mark shares the story of how he got his big break into the music industry while performing at Nāpua Restaurant at the Mauna Lani Beach Club.

“About six years ago, I was playing at the restaurant and this guy was eating dinner there who just so happened to be the CEO of the Onstage Talent Group,” said Mark. “His job was to secure talent for big corporations, and produce big concerts throughout the world. He was here on the Kohala Coast doing a big show for the Cisco group. We exchanged contacts, and then the next day I got a call from him.

“When he called he asked if I would open up a concert at the Fairmont Orchid,” Mark continued. “I agreed and when we showed up he said, ‘You’re going to open up for Train tonight and there’s going to be 1500 people in the audience.’ It was a huge show, and we got to meet Train. This experience opened up a huge opportunity for us, which we were so ecstatic about. That was truly a blessing that opened up so many more opportunities for us. We are so thankful that he happened to be there while we were playing at that small restaurant.”

More recently, Mark and his musical partner Bulla Kanekoa, have performed with John Legend, Richie Sambora, Orianthi, and Keith Urban.

“We’ve been blessed with the opportunity to open up for all these national artists,” said Mark, “Not only that, but to mingle with them and talk music business—it’s opened up so many opportunities for us. It’s just amazing.”

Mark is appreciative of his opportunities and accomplishments, as well as the journey that brought him where he is today. He has learned not to take his success for granted, but to enjoy all the milestones along the way. This year his album Live What You Love, was nominated for a Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award for Reggae Album of the Year.

“The journey is really what is so fulfilling,” he said. “Knowing that you put in the hard work, going through the ups and downs, and still having success, is ultimately so fulfilling. It’s not only a dream come true for me to be acknowledged that way, but for my family who is involved in the journey as well. I brought my whole family to the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards this year. It was awesome. I’ve watched the Hōkū Awards since I was very young. Growing up watching and seeing all the musicians I’ve idolized so much—being up here among them—some of the best musicians in the state, was really gratifying and humbling. It was a true blessing.”

Mark is currently working on a dual album with Bulla Kanekoa and Jaz Yglesias. Mark enjoys the old-style island music of the 1970s and 80s and wants to incorporate those sounds into his future projects.

“Jaz is a DJ and the program director on KAPA FM, but he also produces music,” said Mark. “We are working with him right now on an acoustic project, incorporating that dual sound of acoustic island music. I really love all the old-style Hawaiian island music and I am trying to revive it and bring it into my music today. I want to capture the sound of the bygone era that I love so much. It’s the kind of old-style island music my dad plays. I want my new project to capture that kind of sound; more of the acoustic flavor sound.”

Mark has performed regularly in many venues on the Kohala Coast. His current calendar is filled with weddings, corporate events, and other functions throughout West Hawai‘i. His recent popularity keeps him busy, as does his family.

“Everything right now is based around my family,” said Mark. “I’ve always been really family-oriented. We have a big close family, so the biggest influence for me right now is my three small kids. They are one, three and five. By being involved and performing at parties, concerts, and events, I really hope to pass my passion for music along to my children.”

Mark is well on his way to creating a lasting contribution to the archives of island music. His childhood passion became his art, and his dedication to making music became a way to share aloha and the joyful spirit of life with others. “Recordings are forever….and there’s nothing more gratifying than to touch people through music,” says Mark. ❖

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For more information: marksaitomusic.com