Category Archives: What’s New

2022 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards are coming up, and I’m up for 2 categories..!!

June 8, 2022 Ka`imi Hanano`eau Leave a comment

What’s up guys!

I am excited to announce that I am a finalist at the 2022 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards in two categories: “Alternative Album of the Year” and “Instrumental Composition of the Year” for my recent album, “E Ala ʻOe.” With these two nominations, it is an honor to say that I have been a finalist 12 times over the span of my eight year-long music recording career.

“E Ala ‘Oe” was released on December 31, 2021, and the songs were written, arranged, recorded, and mastered by myself. This album displays my Rock and Reggae fusion style with Ska arrangements and Metal drumming from my dear friend, Luke D’Addario. The lyrics on these songs express the lessons I learned while dealing with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. My title track, “Red Pill,” contains a rap verse performed by local artist, Rezzy Reps, who is a part of the rock group, NESTA. A favorite of mine is “The Golden Rule,” a Bob Marley-inspired reggae song that features O’ahu based singer/rapper, Trishnalei, who is also nominated for a 2022 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award for “Female Vocalist of the Year.”

To celebrate my recent nominations, the Poi Planet team and I made a special acoustic video of my song, “Red Pill.” To view the full video, you can head over to my YouTube page here. Mahalo to Chris Lau of Rhythm & Roots Studio for letting us use your space to film the clip. For those who want to see me perform live, I play at the Beach House Bar & Grill in Kaneohe at 7:00 p.m., at Mai Tai’s every Wednesday night at 8:00 p.m., and at Stonefish Grill in North Shore every Friday at 6:00 p.m.

The 2022 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards will take place on Wednesday, July 20, 2022. I wish every final ballot nominee the best of luck. To all my followers, I hope to see you at one of my live gigs very soon and Mahalo Nui for your support. Until next time.

What's New

New Album !! Pohaku Motu !! By Request

January 13, 2021 Ka`imi Hanano`eau Leave a comment

Mahalo for you patience. It is finally available digitally and and physically. The album was influenced by you. The audience that I met at my gigs down in Waikiki and while I was on tour. I wanted to give you some classic covers with that island feel. Mind you, majority of the songs are rock songs. It’s another spin on the coined phrase “Island Rock with an Edge.”

I wanted to take it a step further and include a few traditional Hawaiian favorites. Pua Hone, Noho Pai Pai, and Ka Uluwehi O Ke Kai are a few Hawaiian Mele that I perform live. Well, I decided to spice them up a bit.

Changing traditional songs are sort of looked down upon. I had to double check with a Kumu Hula to make sure I wasn’t stepping on any feet. There are songs that we shouldn’t touch. I’m glad that these three songs are good to go. These songs include rock guitar and metal style drumming. It’s good for the old and new to come together and open more possibilities for spreading Hawaiian music through different genres.

Hope you guys enjoy the music. Next album will have more originals and maybe a few Hawaiian tunes. Mahalo for rocking out island style!!!

Here’s the tracks and info:

Shine – Collective Soul
Benny and the Jets – Elton John
Pua Hone – Dennis Kamakahi
Haleakala (House of the Rising Sun) – Public Domain
Noho Pai Pai – Public Domain
The Beautiful Ones – Prince
Enter Sandman – Metallica
Ka Uluwehi O Ke Kai – Public Domain

Tracks 1, 2, 4, 6, and 7 – all instruments and vocals by Ka’imi

Tracks 3 and 8 – Steve Keola on Bass – Luke D’Addario on Drums – Ka’imi on guitars, ukulele, and vocals

Track 5 – Luke D’ Addario on Drums – Ka’imi on all other instruments and vocals.

All tracks mixed and mastered by Demitri Marmash.

Engineer – Shane Brede on tracks 1, 2, 4, 6, and 7. Track 3, 5, and 8 Demitri Marmash and Shane Brede.

Album Artwork – Ka’imi Hanano’eau

Pics – Aaron Eskeran

Purchase album on iTunes

Purchase album on Amazon Music

Uncategorized, What's New

3 Time Finalist at the 43rd Na Hoku Hanohano Awards

November 8, 2020 Ka`imi Hanano`eau Leave a comment

This year has been a roller coaster for all of us. The Na Hoku Hanohano Awards are usually held in May, but it has been pushed to October this year due to CV-19. Unfortunately, we had to stream it this year. I was bummed that it wasn’t going to be a full blow celebration. But hey, we have to roll with the times. HARA settled on Honolulu Theatre which was a beautiful backdrop.

I was very humbled that I was asked to perform for the show. Teamed up with Hawaii’s Metal group Storm, ended up in a unique and well fit match up. The song I performed was Hawaiian Nation. I started out with my Koaloha Ukulele and half way through, the band I switched over to Storm’s Ka Mauna a Wakea. During the switch, I turn around and switch out my ukulele to my Ernie Ball Majesty Monarchy Musicman. Finishing out the mashup with my guitar solo really put my good energy into a higher level. I felt good and the performance was probably the most unique out of all.

Everyone did a good job! Being a different kind of year, I feel like this Award show went really good. I appreciate HARA and all the hard work that went into this last minute hustle to get this show on the roll/TV. Unfortunately, I did not win any awards. I am grateful that I was nominated for Performer of the Year which is super awesome. I also was a finalist for EP of the Year and Alternative Album of the Year. I’m grateful for all nominations. Mahalo all for you support.

Alternative Album of the Year — New Album: Strum Along

Tours, What's New

Back For a Few Months

December 4, 2019 Ka`imi Hanano`eau Leave a comment

I just got back from a two and a half week mini tour in Washington state. I am growing very fond of the venues and the people who come out for the live music. I will be headed back there for a special function in February and then I will taking my band in April. Hopefully we can get enough momentum to make it a regular thing.

Just want to send out a big Mahalo to the places that had me this past month: Paragon, Ohana, The Cottage, Infusion Bar and Grill, Mirkwood Public House, and the Cove. I also want to shout out to Lynn Sorensen for having me host his jam at Daves in Milton. So awesome to connect with rock legends like Lynn. More things coming up in 2020.

Jan: One Love Festival New Zealand….Feb: Valentines Show WA….Apr: Band Shows in WA…. May; Ekiden Fest…Stay tuned. For more shows. For a listing of upcoming shows, click HERE

For Videos of performances, click HERE

Mahalo to all the Sponsors

Ernie Ball , Music Man , Sonny Ching , Paradisius Jewelry , Pomahina Designs , Collection Runway , KoAloha Ukulele

Featured Pic by : Bill Hale

What's New

Strum Along Album is Available!!

September 13, 2019 Ka`imi Hanano`eau Leave a comment

It’s been a long journey to get this album done. Dealt with a back injury that slowed me down tremendously, my computer crashing, and every day obstacles and challenges along the way. This album has been in the works for 2 and a half years. I am happy it is finally available for you. Meeting deadlines is very challenging, especially when you set them yourself. I’ve pushed it back may times, but here it is. The best I could do ….

Tracks and credits:

1. All We Know is Reggae (3:29) 2. Down Till the Morning Comes (3:50) 3. She Don’t Mind (4:45) 4. Simple Man (6:13) 5. Strum Along (3:41) 6. Sensi Lane (4:02) 7. Turn The Page (5:30) 8. Higher Light (4:44) 9. Hana Hou (3:15)

::Ka’imi Hanano’eau:: Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Bass, Keyboard, Drums, Backing Vocals ::Steven Keola:: Bass on tracks 1 and 3 ::Whitney Haugen:: Drums on tracks 1 and 3 ::Luke D’Addario:: Drums on tracks 4, 5, 7, and 8 ::Jorell Nacapuy:: Piano and Organ on track 8 ::Marion Meadows:: Sax on track 7

1. All We know is Reggae (written by Kaimi Hananoeau) 2. Down Till the Morning Comes (Kaimi and Aaron Deluz) 3. She Don’t Mind (Written by Kaimi Hananoeau) 4. Simple Man (Lynyrd Skynyrd) 5. Strum Along (written by Kaimi Hananoeau) 6. Sensi Lane (written by Kaimi Hananoeau) 7. Turn The Page (Bob Seger) 8. Higher Light (Kaimi and Shannon Ibarra) 9. Hana Hou (Kaimi and Malia Daraban)

Engineer: Shane Brede, Engineer for Drum tracks: Demitri Marmash Mix: Shane Brede, Master: Demitri Marmash, Album Art: Shane Brede, Photographs: Rob Linogon

Mahalo to all that helped in this project. Bigger shows coming soon!

Purchase album: Choose one: CDbaby iTunes

For gig listings, please click here

What's New

Na Hoku Hanohano Awards in the Books

June 5, 2018 Ka`imi Hanano`eau Leave a comment

I must say….this year’s Na Hoku awards was by far one of my favorites. I finally got to reach a goal of mine. Performing at the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards was at the top o my list and I am grateful that I had a chance to share the stage with friends and fellow performers from the past and present. Congrats to all the finalists and winners. Good job Tavana and my brothers from Backwards Shaka.

My shirt was made by Puamana Crabbe. It was a jelly fish because I grew up getting stung many times…lol. Shoes were Dr. Martins. I wore a Kupe’e lei with a think ginger lei, a black pearl, and the Ihe Kaka’i from Sonny Ching. I went out on a limb wearing white pants, but I think i rocked it pretty hard this year. Not to mention rocking out with my purple Ernieball Musicman on local television. A very high point in my night.

Coming up next, I will be heading to the US mainland for a couple weeks. I will post the places and dates I will be performing at soon. For updates, please check my Facebook page. I also want to let you know that I am working on a new EP. Expecting to drop mid July. EP is called “All we Know is Reggae.” Watch for that and I will keep you in the loop!

Tours, What's New

March Tour Dates : Supporting Act for Spawnbreezie

February 20, 2018 Ka`imi Hanano`eau Leave a comment

Some people been asking if I’m doing an opening slot as my own. To answer your questions, yes I am. So hopefully you guys can make it out to some of these. I am pretty excited. I wish I could get my band out, but I am happy to spread music however way I can. Got to love my looper pedal!

•3/1 – Anaheim, CA / House of Blues
•3/3 – Las Vegas, NV / Broklyn Bowl
•3/4 – Ventura, CA / Discovery
•3/7 – Morro Bay, CA / The Siren
•3/8 – San Diego, CA / Music Box
•3/11 – Phoenix, AZ / BLK
•3/14 – Sacramento, CA / Holy Diver
•3/15 – Santa Rosa, CA / Annie O’s
•3/16 – San Fran, CA / Kneck Woods
•3/18 – Santa Cruz, CA / Atrium
•3/23 – Tacoma, WA / Jazzbones
•3/24 – Tacoma, WA / Jazzbones

-More Dates To Be Announced-

•Tickets at Spawnbreezie.com .

What's New

New Single Releases and Blue Note Fun

December 12, 2017 Ka`imi Hanano`eau Leave a comment

If you didn’t know, I released a new single called Freak of Nature! It’s is a hybrid ska/reggae/rock song. The message is about being different and to keep true to yourself. I like this song musically and lyrically. I co-wrote it with Gari Garrett. Please take a listen and support Hawaiians that perform various genre of musicother than Hawaiian music. Mahalo

To purchase Freak of Nature, click HERE

Things have been moving fast. I took a trip and performed with Spawnbreezie and the Rugby 7 Tournament in San Jose, California where a small cold front came though and go us wet and cold. It was a good experience. I got to meet a couple of Fiji’s band member while we waited in that cold. All together it was a good show.

From the trip back, I was thrown into a practice with my bros to practice for my Blue Note Hawaii debut. We prevailed and the show turned out really well! I am pretty honored to have performed at an iconic venue like Blue Note. Mahalo to David Masuda, Paul Van, and Steve Keola for backing me in this project.

The following weekend I jumped in with Peni Dean and his crew and performed at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center for Shane Victorino’s free concert. Then jumped over to Moloka’i for a show with Peni. Cool thing is that I got featured on the Maui News front page…so random! lol

What’s new….well I am tryst another single before ends. It’s a song about the north shore of oahu. I’ve been on it through out the year, but my computer decided not to turn on. It has been shop for 3 week now. So hopefully I can get that done for you. I also have another tour coming up with Spawnbreezie. We are headed to New Zealand and Australia in January. So watch for some pics and vids!!

Have a Happy Christmas and New Years!! Be safe everyone!

Tours, What's New

I’ve Been on The Road : Life In the Fast Lane

September 28, 2017 Ka`imi Hanano`eau Leave a comment

Aloha Friends and family,

I have been keeping quite busy since this past February. It has been tricky to keep up with all media updates. Especially when you are on the road at months end. Since my last post, I have been asked to go on tour with Spawnbreezie. He is my Samoan brother from another mother. He hails from Kansas City, Missouri.

Long story short, Spawnbreezie came to Hawaii for some shows and needed a guitar player to back his band. I jumped in and I guess I did a pretty good job. I then got pulled into his March tour which consisted of 16 venues in 6 states. I also got to open up a couple shows in the later part of the tour which was epic.

After that long month, I came back home and had to hustle for the 2017 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards. My EP didn’t make it to the Finalist ballot, but I was a finalist in a couple other entries; Love Your Mother Compilation and Medusa(rock opera). It was a fun night and I wore a pretty cool outfit. I went solo to the Awards, so I didn’t get to many pictures of my outfit sadly. Many thought highly of it. Congrats to all the winners and fellow musicians of Hawaii!

The following month was festival season. One weekend we were in Guam which we co-headlinded with Magic!, the next in Alaska, then the last two were in Cali. San Diego and San Jose were the bigger festivals we performed at. At the end of that trip, we were informed about the next “short” tour which was a month away.

We were back on the US mainland in a blink of an eye. Luckily the tour started in Hawaii for the first weekend. We then met up in Las Vegas and ended the four week tour in Dallas, Texas. That was the longest and farthest driving I have ever experienced. We did 16 cities on this tour also. A couple of those drives consisted 8-14 hours.

Now I am back home and I am trying to get my band on a roll again. There were so many experiences in this past 6 month. It is very challenging to keep up and keep people informed what has been going on. I camp more on my social media via Instagram and Facebook. If you really want to know where I am at, please check out Kaimi Music on Facebook.