Hawaiian singer-songwriter John Cruz engages audiences with rich storytelling through songs ranging from Hawaiian to blues, folk, R&B and more. Cruz is a multi-time Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winner and contributed a composition and song to the GRAMMY® award-winning album ‘Slack Key Guitar, Vol. 2.’ Captivating guitar playing, soulful vocals and a compassionate, genuine heart make Cruz one of Hawaii’s most beloved artists.

On stage, he fully embodies every song with this alluring energy translating to his acclaimed albums, ‘Acoustic Soul’ (one of the best selling Hawaii records of all time) and ‘One of These Days’ (bowed at #4 on Billboard’s World Music chart). Today, over 1 million people stream Cruz’s music every year as he enjoys regular plays on SiriusXM, prominent features on hit Playing for Change videos (“The Weight”, “Jokerman” and “All Along The Watchtower”) and a new, long-term concert residency at one of Hawaii’s top listening rooms, ProArts Studio in Kihei, Maui.

Bio from JohnCruz.com.

When you hear the name "Ekolu", your first thought is about your most favorite song released from these Maui Boys. Ekolu has been a part of the Island Reggae music scene for 23 years. Ekolu released their debut album back in 1999, titled Down In The Valley, and since then, they have created their own style of music that started a branding of Ekolu Music. Ekolu has been one of Hawai'i's top favorite Island Reggae Music artist on the scene today. Within the 20 plus years of being together, Ekolu has released 11 full length albums with multiple single releases that showcase how the band has evolved as the years have progressed.

Lead singer and co-founder of Ekolu, Lukela Keala and Bass Player, vocalist, Makapu Ho'opii are the original main band members of Ekolu. Kalehua Kahele, whom is the newest and the youngest 3rd member to Ekolu has added his smooth, soulful vocals to this Trio. Their talent and live show performance show much a band who has been around for 23 years can still take part of this ever changing music scene in Hawai'i today.

Bio fom EkoluMusiccom.

If anyone could be described as having “Hawaiian heart and soul,” it is indeed Ryan Kamakakehau Fernandez. Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, this 6 week old African American infant was adopted by Robyn Naeʻole and brought to the shores of Maui, Hawaiʻi. It is here that his new family and home shaped “Kamaka” into one of Hawaiʻi’s newest and most refreshing talents.

Kamakakēhau has been featured in the Disney Animation film "MOANA" he made in the hawaiian language, in which Kamakakēhau plays the role of (TAMATOA) The Shiny Crab. He has performed on numerous prestigious stages within the State of Hawaiʻi, including the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua’s Celebration of the Arts, the Castle Theater at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center, Oahu’s Keiki Hula Festival, the Tahiti Fete, and the Grand Hyatt Kauaʻi, as well as stages in the continental United States and Japan.

Bio from Halawai.org.

Eric is an award winning musician and entertainer whose multi-faceted talents have taken him from his roots in Hawaii to performing live on the stages of Broadway, the Grammy awards, and the mainstream entertainment through his various concerts and appearances in films and television.

In recent years audiences have enjoyed his hysterical broadway-level performance in White Hawaiian, an auto-biographical one-man musical that celebrates the Gilliom family’s Hawaiian entertainment legacy, or as the frontman in Mick Fleetwood’s House Of Rumours band where he shares the spotlight with some of the biggest names in the music industry. His versatility allows him to sing everything from Rock, Soul, R&B to Hawaiian and Broadway show tunes. He has played with and or opened for the “Who’s Who” of musical legends. Legends that include Earth Wind and Fire, Steven Tyler, John Legend, Willie Nelson, Jamie Foxx, Brian Johnson (AC/DC) and Michael McDonald just to name a few.

Bio from EricGilliom.com.

One of Maui’s most accomplished vocalists, Amy has played for the Dalai Lama, two inaugural balls in D.C. for President Obama and the first entertainer ever to perform in the Great Hall of the People in Tiananmen Square, China. Amy has played for sold-out crowds in Europe, Japan and all across America and French Polynesia. Hānaiali’i‘s Friends and Family album showcased a stunning duet with country music legend Willie Nelson. Alongside and recording with the best, Amy also has performed live and opened for renowned artists like Earth, Wind and Fire, Carlos Santana, Boz Scaggs, Diana Krall, Joe Cocker and Michael McDonald.

Her diverse success and cultural responsibility, provide clear recognition by Hawai‘i’s music community and fans with universal acceptance. All of Amy’s albums have validated commercial success by consistently placing her at the top of the World Album Billboard charts.

Bio from AmyHanaialii.com.

A two-time Grammy nominee and multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards recipient, Raiatea is recognized as one of Hawaii’s premier female vocalists. Among her awards, she was honored in Hawai‘i twice as Female Vocalist of the Year. A master of the art of leo kiʻe kiʻe – the Hawaiian falsetto tradition – she shares her experiences and knowledge of Hawaiʻi’s rich history through traditional mele [songs]. Her music career spans 20 years and includes seven album releases, recorded and performed with legendary musicians including Keola Beamer, Aunty Genoa Keawe, Keali’i Reichel, Willie K and Mick Fleetwood.

A graduate of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa – she took a break from touring to earn her degree —she is the first Hawaiian Musical Artist Fellow of the Native Arts & Cultures Foundation and the 2021 awardee of the foundation’s SHIFT – Transformative Change and Indigenous Arts program.

Bio from RaiateaHelm.com.

Born and raised in a family of musicians in Lahaina, Hawaii, Willie began performing at the age of 8 alongside his father, Hawaiian jazz guitarist Manu Kahaialiʻi. In 1993, Willie began a collaboration with Amy Hānaialiʻi Gilliom that would last for nine years. The pair recorded, performed, and toured together, and also shared a personal relationship.[5] Their recordings won seven Na Hoku Hanohano Awards, part of Willie's total of 19 Hokus as a musician and producer.

In 2007, Willie K became one of very few artists to win a Hoku as part of three different acts – his collaboration with Eric Gilliom called "Barefoot Natives" won Best Contemporary Hawaiian Album, in addition to wins already achieved with Amy and as a solo artist. Willie K died at age 59 on May 18, 2020.

Bio from Willie’s Wikipedia page.

With over 25 solo,collaboration, and compilation CDs to his name, George founded the Hawaiian Music Institute at University of Hawai‘i-Maui College to preserve the legacy of Hawaiian music and prepare the next generation for music careers. A renowned storyteller, George collaborated on the book A Hawaiian Life and its sequel with long-time friend Paul Konwiser to capture his hilarious, entertaining on-stage stories, which led to his film biography Seeds of Aloha.

George Kahumoku Jr.’s Annual Maui Slack Key Guitar and ‘Ukulele Workshop creates one of the great musical learning experiences in the Islands today, and embodies George's belief in sharing, celebrating, and perpetuating the unique music and culture of Hawai‘i.

Bio from Kahumoku.com.

From the Lahaina News Article upon his passing:

“Charles Kauai Ka’upu Jr. — revered cultural practitioner, master chanter, former cook and master of ceremonies for 22 years at Old Lahaina Luau, one of the founders of the Celebration of the Arts at the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, one-time KPOA disc jockey known as “Bushman,” kumu hula who mentored dancers on Maui, Kauai, Japan and the Mainland — has long been on this columnist’s long list of prospective interview subjects.”

Read the entire article here.

Lily Meola was born and raised on the island of Maui, Hawaii. Her love of music blossomed in the passenger seat of her Mom’s car listening to legendary artists like Ella Fitzgerald, Joni Mitchell, and Carole King. Lily began performing around Maui in local bars and cafes at the young age of 11. Mentored by super-producer Bob Rock, Lily toured with the likes of Willie Nelson, learned to write songs with Jackson Browne, recorded duets with Steven Tyler, Kris Kristofferson, and Sammy Hagar, and co-wrote a single for Andra Day titled ‘Amen’. Lily spent the last few years in the studio writing and producing the bluesy, soulful pop songs that made up her debut release.

In 2022, Lily appeared on America’s Got Talent, performing her original song, “Daydream.” She received the Golden Buzzer for her powerful tribute to her late mother, Nancy Meola.

Bio from LilyMeolaMusic.com.

Pavao first made his mark on the music scene as member of the Big Island trio, Hui Ohana, a band he formed with his two cousins when they were all still in high school. During a career that spanned more than three decades, Pavao performed for audiences from Washington, D.C. to Japan. He moved to Maui in 1987 to continue song writing and performing.

1987 is the same year Pavao earned the Na Hoku Hanohano award for male vocalist of the year. Longtime local songwriter and musician Keith Haugen wrote of Pavao: "although the history of falsetto singing in Hawai`i is shrouded in mystery, there is no secret about Dennis Pavao's role in making it popular again in this generation, and helping ensure that falsetto and Dennis Pavao have a page in Hawai`i's musical history."

Bio from Hawaii News Now.

His debut album brought him into working with Dave Tucciarone, a 13-time Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award- Winning Engineer and Producer based in Honolulu. leading to the 2017 Grammy® win and first Na Hoku Award. This successful collaboration continued with Kalani’s second CD, No ‘Ane‘i [We Belong Here], garnering rave reviews and a second Grammy win in 2019. Now his 3rd CD Kau Ka Pe‘a has once again brought him Grammy recognition, and he was also featured in the Grammy Opening Premiere Concert. Says award-winning Hawaiian vocalist Darlene Ahuna,

A fluent Hawaiian speaker and graduate of Hawaiian language school, Peʻa went on to illustrate and publish five Hawaiian language children’s stories while working on his master's degree in early childhood education at the University of Hawaiʻi Hilo. He taught at Kamehameha Preschools in Kona, followed by 8 years as a Hawaiian resource coordinator for Kamehameha Schools Maui, teaching Hawaiian culture (science focus), and creating curriculum.

​Bio from KalaniPeaMusic.com.

Keali‘i Reichel has been at the forefront of the revival and perpetuation of Hawaiian culture. He is a world-class performer, best-selling recording artist, multiple award-winning kumu hula, prolific composer, renowned chanter, choreographer, dancer, crafter, scholar, and teacher.

In 2011 he was inducted into the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame for achievement in all facets of Hawaiian music, chant, and hula. In addition, he has received Grammy nominations for his 2004 CD Keʻalaokamaile and his 2015 release Kawaiokalena, and 36 Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards over a musical career spanning 25 years.

Despite critical acclaim and fame, Kealiʻi is a Kumu Hula at his core. His commitment to perpetuating his ancestor’s teachings and values continues today in the lives of his students.

Bio from KealiiReichel.com.

Patrick Simmons is an American musician from Aberdeen, Washington, best known as a member of The Doobie Brothers band. Simmons has been active in world music since 1970 and has several talents as singing, playing the guitar, piano and flute. He also wrote many songs for the Doobie Brothers, including hits like "South City Midnight Lady", "Dependin' On You", "Echoes of Love", and "Black Water", the first band' single to make #1 on the charts.

After the disbanding of the Doobie Brothers in the early 80', Simmons embarked on the solo career adventure and recorded his first album, "Arcade". "So Wrong" was the hit that achieved the best position on national charts, including #30 on the Billboard Hot 100. In addition, Simmons also formed the band "Skin Suit" in the after-Doobie Brothers period. In the late 90', the musician released a second solo album titled "Take Me to the Highway".

Bio from PlayingForChange.com.

Born in Honolulu, Tatofi grew up on Windward O‘ahu, in Kāne‘ohe, before moving with his family to Maui in his early teens. It was in Kāne‘ohe that Tatofi would have a breakthrough moment, when his friends of the Hawaiian music group Hū‘ewa invited him onstage at a bar to sing a Hawaiian-language song. His desire to stay in the Islands and entertain local audiences, encouragement from friends, and a growing ease and excitement in creating Hawaiian music arrangements, steered him toward writing more Hawaiian mele.

Tatofi wrote his first Hawaiian language song, “Pua Kiele” – “not knowing once we released that song, that it would change my life forever,” says Tatofi. His 2016 debut album, also called Pua Kiele, would go on to win two Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards.

Bio from PBS Hawaii.