Kupaoa

Kūpaoa certainly are a traditional Hawaiian folk duo located in Honolulu. The group was originally created as an ensemble by vocalist/guitarist Kellen Paik in 2005 to execute at a friend’s wedding ceremony. When two from the put together bandmembers were pressured to drop out prior to the performance, it had been still left to Kellen and university friend Līhau Hannahs to transport on being a duo, with Kellen on electric guitar and vocals and Līhau understanding how to play the bass as she proceeded to go along. Līhau acquired nothing you’ve seen prior sung or performed before an audience, therefore a slot machine was hastily booked at an area open mike to do something as sort of rehearsal. Their breezy harmonies and soft arrangements at both practice gig and the marriage were therefore well-received that both immediately found several various other engagements, and had been soon playing regular at an area bar and carrying out weddings and personal celebrations on weekends. They followed the name Kūpaoa, a Hawaiian phrase which describes a solid, lingering fragrance, and finally released their debut record, Pili O Ke Ao, in 2008. A variety of traditional island music and original materials created in the Hawaiian vocabulary, the record was nominated for four esteemed Nā Hōkū Hanohano honours, going to earn the award for some Promising Musician of the entire year the following calendar year. Soon after the June 2010 discharge of their second record, British Rose, Kellen and Līhau had been married, beginning a fresh chapter within their tale. Putting your signature on with Honolulu-based label Hill APPLE MACKINTOSH, their music was attaining exposure beyond your Hawaiian islands, as well as the few began executing stateside because they initial released 2011’s Hāliu, a assortment of music only marketed at shows, accompanied by their third main discharge, Bumbye, in 2013. In 2014, Kūpaoa documented with Japanese Hawaiian folk group Kaulana release a the collaborative recording Nā Pua Mōhala.