51st Annual Ukulele Festival - Local Spotlight
Presented by Hawaiian Host
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Performers - Local Spotlight
In Order of Appearance
Brought up in Hawaii embraced by beauty from the mountains to the sea, Honoka has grown an admiration for the nature that surrounds us. This connection to nature, in all of its diverse vibrancy, is what inspires her music. Spanning across a wide range of genres and eras, Honoka’s music is expressive, poignant, but always rooted in authenticity. In 2019, Honoka released her debut single entitled “Island Of Love” inspired by spending summer at home in Hawaii with the person that she loves. She is currently working on new music and hopes to share it with the world very soon!
Kelly Boy DeLima is the founder and leader of the group, Kapena. His musical journey began in 1984 when he competed with his two Tongan brothers in Brown Bags to Stardom. His niche of being that “haole boy who could sing Hawaiian music” gained the group a lot of attention and within a few years, Kapena became one of the hottest bands in the islands.
Kelly Boy has toured all over the world spreading that electrifying Kapena music that fans first fell in love with. He is a multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano award winner and has come out with over 20 CDs. Kelly Boy has been bringing that feel good island music to the world for over 30 years!
Mika Kane was born and raised on the island of Maui, learning how to play the ukulele at Kamehameha Schools. He later moved to Oahu to obtain his Bachelors in Music at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and is currently going for his Masters in Education. During his time as a music student in college, he studied intensely under the guidance of Dr. Byron Yasui, one of the legendary musicians in Hawaii. For his senior project, Mika worked together with Dr. Yasui to complete the first ever Classical Ukulele Recital back in 2018 at the University of Hawaii, allowing him to graduate with a Music Degree. Mika now works at the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility as an ukulele teacher. He also works part-time at TheUkuleleSite, where he works in customer service and participates in podcasts/sound samples alongside Corey Fujimoto and Kalei Gamiao. You can check him out on his website or on YouTube by searching TheUkuleleSite's channel "Hawaii Music Supply".
Abe Lagrimas, Jr. is a musician, composer, educator, and author who plays the drums, vibraphone, ukulele, and studied at Berklee College of Music. He competed in the highly prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Drums Competition and has worked with many different artists such as Eric Marienthal, Eric Reed, Kamasi Washington, Katisse Buckingham, Lalo Schifrin, Barbara Morrison, Michelle Coltrane, Jake Shimabukuro, Kenny Endo, and continues to be an in-demand session musician in Los Angeles. As a solo ukulele artist, Abe is a Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award recipient and has released multiple albums in the United States, Japan, and South Korea. He has headlined many ukulele festivals throughout the United States, Asia, and Europe. Abe is also an active educator who has conducted workshops, currently teaches private lessons, and is an instructor for the Fender Play series. He is the author of Jazz Ukulele: Comping, Soloing, Chord Melodies (Berklee Press & Hal Leonard), which is available in stores worldwide and on Amazon. He currently endorses Canopus Drums, Paiste Cymbals, Vic Firth Drumsticks, Beato Bags, Ko'olau Ukuleles, Analysis Plus Cables, Fusion Gig Bags, and Roswell Pro Audio.
Born and raised in Kihei, Maui, Kala’e Camarillo was raised in a family with a history of musicians and music educators; His Grandfather, George, is founder of the Waikea Intermediate ‘Ukulele Band, Father, Rama, is founder of the Kalama Intermediate ‘Ukulele Band, and his Aunt is multi Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winner, Lehua Kalima of Na Leo Pilimehana. Kala’e entered the music scene in 2009 with his cousin when they won Tom Moffat's state wide “Band Champ” competition, awarding the duo the opening act for two major groups; The Stylistics and America. Today, after two solo releases, he has received multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award nominations for his 2017 album, “Working Man” and his 2019 "Feel at Home" won the 2020 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award for Contemporary Acoustic Album of the Year. Today, Kala’e can be found performing as a solo act, as well as along side the legendary, Robi Kahakalau. He continues to follow in his family’s footsteps as both an award winning musician and music educator at Kapālama Elementary.
Keale is a Hoku-award winning musician from a family of musicians, including Uncle Moe Keale, Cousins Skippy & Israel Kamakawiwoole & Michael & Bill Keale. Keale’s unique style of Hawaiian music has been described by John Berger, Star Advertiser Music & Entertainment writer, as “bold and unconventional, having taken it in new directions.”
Ukulele Recording Artist, Producer, Composer, Songwriter, Instructor. David Kamakahi is the son of famous Slack Key Guitar master and songwriter, the late Rev. Dennis Kamakahi.
He recorded Ohana (Family) with his father Dennis, followed by Hui Aloha with Dennis, Martin Pahinui, and George Kuo. David then joined and toured with the group Na Oiwi in 2000, playing contemporary Hawaiian music with father Dennis, Mike Ka’awa, and Jon Yamasato. He won his first Na Hoku Hanohano Award in 2005. He and his father, David, recorded for the soundtrack of the Disney Animated Film “Lilo and Stitch 2: Stitch has a Glitch” for the song, “Always” written by Jeanine Tesori and Alexa Junge with Hawaiian Translation by Dennis Kamakahi. David has been nominated for the Hawaii Music Awards and Grammy Awards. In 2011, David joined the musical duo Waipuna with fellow Kamehameha alumni Matthew Sproat and Kale Hannahs.
‘Ukulele player, Bryan Tolentino has been known for the past thirty eight years as an accompanist who performed and continues to perform locally and abroad. He is a multi Nā Hōkū Hanohano award winner, and is known for his “fairy dusting” style.
Bryan has performed and recorded with notable Hawaiian entertainers such as: Raiatea Helm, Jake Shimabukuro, Herb Ohta, Jr., Halehaku Seabury, Aunty Genoa Keawe, Pomaika‘i Lyman, Karen Keawehawai‘i, Ku‘uipo Kumukahi, Marlene Sai, Jerry Santos and Olomana, O’Brian Eselu, Nathan Aweau, Frank Hewett, Byron Yasui, Benny Chong, Kalei Gamiao, ‘Elua Kane, Sonny Lim, Keoki Kahumoku, Owana Salazar, Weldon Kekauoha, Natalie Ai, ‘Iolani Kamau‘u, Napua Greig, Kuana Torres Kahele, Aaron Salā, The Side Order Band – where Bryan played with Del Beazley, Chris Kamaka and Asa Young, Keao Costa, and Blaine Kamalani Kia.
Bryan Tolentino continues to travel locally, nationally and internationally, sharing his love for the ‘ukulele through performances and workshops.