Kimo is regarded as one of the world’s foremost “ki ho’alu” or Hawaiian “slack key” guitar artists and his music has garnered over seventy-five million spins on streaming services. He is a 2021 Grammy Winner for his recent CD, “More Guitar Stories” and a 2019 Grammy nominee for “Moku Maluhia-Peaceful Island”. He is also a 2008 winner of the Hawaii Music Awards and four-time Na Hoku Hanohano (the Hawaiian ‘Grammy’) nominee. He is also a two-time winner of the LA Treasures Award for his efforts in keeping this important acoustic guitar tradition alive. This warm and engaging fingerpicked guitar style has its roots in 1840’s Hawaii, when Mexican vaqueros first brought guitars to the Big Island of Hawaii. If you saw the Oscar-winning film, “The Decendants” you have experienced this great acoustic guitar tradition.
Leokane Pryor
Leokāne made his debut in the Hawaiian music world in 1999 with his successful CD release, Maunahele. Accompanied by his performance group, Pōhai Kealoha, Leokāne gained great popularity delighting audiences with his angelic falsetto vocals throughout the West Coast and Hawai`i. His first CD received wide radio play in Hawai`i, the mainland, and abroad.
After frequent visits to Hawai`i and especially Hāna, the desire to return to Hawai`i became overwhelming. In 2004 he was able to move to Hāna, Maui, full-time. Home Malanai, Leokane’s second CD release in 2009, captures his love of Hana, Maui, with many original songs telling of his home in heavenly Hana and his love for Hawai`i. It features many exceptional talented musicians and composers - dear friends of Leokāne.
CJ Helekahi
Born and raised in Hana, Maui, the remote small town of approximately 2500 people on Maui’s scenic east coast, emerges a singer/songwriter named CJ Helekahi who has a sound like no other. CJ Helekahi comes from a very large and musical Hawaiian family with a long lineage of talented people. His Grandmother, the late Clara Tolentino, was a famous Hana entertainer, along with his Aunty G-Girl Keli’iho’omalu, a well-known recording artist, and his parents, Lovey and John Helekahi, renowned and long-time performers in Hana. There is a real pureness to CJ’s voice; an originality that could only come from a place like Hana. In this land of love of family and sharing, true community closeness and old Hawaiian ways are abound.