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

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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.  

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Pohaku Motu : Alternative Album of the Year Finalist!!

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I want to do a quick shout out to all the Hawai’i Academy of Recording Arts Members for voting me in to the Final ballot for the 2021 Na Hoku Hanohano Music Awards! If you don’t know what this is, it is comparable to the Hawaiian Grammy’s. Mahalo for everyone else’s support through out the year. 2020 was small kine rough…but we all did good things last year. Good luck to all my fellow finalists and hope this Awards show will be one for the books. Voting ends May 22nd, 2021. I will keep you informed on how it goes through my media outlets. Mahalo

Get my latest album on iTunes here

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3 Time Finalist at the 43rd Na Hoku Hanohano Awards

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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.

Feeling it on TV

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.

EP of the Year
EP of the Year Finalist
Alternative Album of the Year
New Album: Strum Along
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Na Hoku Hanohano Awards in the Books

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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!