The Artists of Kamaka
Kamaka Hawaii is proud to partner with the world’s finest ukulele virtuosos who share their beautiful music with the world through amazing artistry and love for their instrument and craft. They are experts at what they do and we are honored to be their instrument of choice for bringing their musical visions to life. Every featured artist exclusively plays Kamaka ukuleles while performing and recording their music.
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Jake Shimabukuro
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“If it weren’t for Kamaka ukuleles, I wouldn’t be able to play what I play. Their instruments are sensitive. Kamaka ukuleles respond to everything you do. You’re able to have a tremendous tonal vocabulary. They are made to do that. It pushes me to keep improving my craft.”
Since gaining prominence in the early 2000’s, ukulele marvel Jake Shimabukuro has mesmerized audiences with his innovative and dynamic style, taking the instrument to dizzying new heights. Over a dozen solo albums, Shimabukuro has shown a knack for moving effortlessly between genres, sometimes in the same song. After being taught the instrument by his mother at age four, Jake became a local phenom, performing on his own and in a local group Pure Heart. Early in his solo career he became a YouTube sensation when his cover of George Harrison’s “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” went viral. Since then, Jake has gone on to play the world’s most venerable venues, from The Hollywood Bowl to Lincoln Center to the Sydney Opera House and The N.O. Jazz Fests and collaborated with some of the world’s greatest musicians, including Yo-Yo Ma, Bela Fleck and The Flecktones, Jimmy Buffett, Jack Johnson, Bette Midler, Ziggy Marley, Sonny Landreth, Billy Strings, Lukas & Willie Nelson and Warren Haynes. Shimabukuro has also won his share of awards and, just a few years ago he was nominated by President Joe Biden to serve as a Member for the National Council on the Arts.
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“I’m a proud artist who plays Kamaka. The sound that comes out of their ʻukuleles are magical and whenever I go into the factory, I am always treated like family. I’ve been playing their ukes since the age of five and will continue to do so because their aloha and high quality instruments are always supporting me to go further.”
Taimane translates to diamond from Samoan and perfectly reflects the different facets of her nature. Whether delicately finger-picking through Bach or radically ripping through Led Zeppelin, Taimane has the ability to morph genres – from classical to rock to flamenco – and stretch her instrument far beyond the familiar melodies of Hawai`i, where she grew up. When Don Ho caught wind of the talented teen, he invited her to join him as part of his venerable variety show at the Waikiki Beachcomber, further fueling Taimane’s desire to perform for and connect with audiences. In addition to performing her own distinctive versions of well-known pieces, Taimane weaves in original compositions that are as far ranging as her musical tastes. With the fierceness of a rocker, and the grace of a dancer, Taimane and her music are wowing ever-larger audiences. She lights up rooms wherever she goes, sparkling like the diamond that she is.
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“I always respected Kamaka Hawaii, and respected the friendship between the Kamaka family and my father Ohta-San. Since performing and recording with a Kamaka ukulele, my respect and appreciation has grown. The quality, craftsmanship, tonality, playability, and their drive to build the best instruments has allowed me to musically express myself in the truest form. I am honored to be a very small part of their musical legacy.”
Herb’s interest in music was very evident at an early age. Herb’s grandmother taught him his first song on the ukulele at the age of three. The song was “Happy Birthday.” His father, Ohta-San started his early instruction on the ukulele and Herb continued to study music playing the viola in high school. Herb was also a member of The Honolulu Boys Choir, The Honolulu Children’s Opera Chorus, and The University High School Select Choir.
After being inspired by listening to the Makaha Sons of Niihau and other local musicians at the age of 17, he became a devotee of Hawaiian music and the ukulele.
With 15 Na Hoku Award nominations to his credit, he won a Na Hoku Hanohano Award for “Ukulele Nahenahe” in 2011, “Pure Ukulele” in 2013, Instrumental Song of the Year “Napili Bay” co-written by David Kamakahi in 2013, “Ukulele Friends” in 2015, “Ukulele Friends: The Sequel” in 2018, and “Ukulele Hula” in 2019. Herb is also a four-time Hawaii Music Award. Herb has released three national releases in Japan, one in Taiwan, and co-authored two ukulele instructional books with Grammy Award artist Daniel Ho that was released in Japan and the United States. In 2015 Herb published a songbook of his arrangements in Korea.
As a teacher, composer, recording artist, entertainer, and producer, Herb Ohta, Jr. solidly established himself in the company of musicians who promote our Hawaiian instrument in the music landscape today.
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“The Kamaka ukulele exemplifies its musical significance to Hawaii. Growing up I dreamt that one day I would own and play a Kamaka ukulele. That day came true when I met Anakala Chris Kamaka while performing with the group Hookena in 2004. It speaks of the music that I want to express along with the words of the mele.”
Raiatea Helm, a two-time Grammy nominee and multiple Na Hoku Hanohano awards recipient, is recognized as one of Hawaii’s premier female vocalists. Among her awards, she was honored in Hawaii twice as Female Vocalist of the Year. A master of the art of leo kie kie – the Hawaiian falsetto tradition – she shares her experiences and knowledge of Hawaii’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, Kealii Reichel, Willie K and Mick Fleetwood.
Kuana Torres Kahele
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“Although I am a guitar player by profession, my Kamaka ukulele is what I use to play music for me. I have written all my original music on a Kamaka. Crafting a good song requires a delicate balance of inspiration and ability. Unlocking THAT can sometimes be the hardest part. My Kamaka ukulele is what allows me to tap into that magic.”
Singer, composer, guitarist and educator Kuana Torres Kahele is one of Hawaiian music’s most popular artists. With a style steeped in everything from hula and traditional folk music to jazz and swing to country and western, his smooth tenor voice (and silky falsetto), and call and response choruses inhabit his weave of traditional and modern instruments, Kahele has forged his own path through Hawaii’s musical history — particularly in hula music — coming up with a sound distinctly his own. Kahele played the character of Uku, a lovesick volcano, in Pixar’s hit short, “Lava.” Kahele’s title theme for the film debuted at number one on the soundtrack chart and remained there for months.
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“What I love most is the tone of the ukulele, as well as the detail in the design. Kamaka was able to integrate my father’s logo into my ukulele design which means a lot to me. What makes the sound special is the ukulele’s ability to produce reliable tone and volume, also to have a constant, correct pitch. I feel fortunate to be a part of a legacy of the Kamaka family that has produced quality ukuleles for over 100 years.”
David Kamakahi is the son of famous Slack Key Guitar master and songwriter, the late Rev. Dennis Kamakahi. David secretly took up ukulele at the age of 15 studying the stylings of the great ukulele master and mentor, Eddie Kamae, and studying recordings of other masters such as Peter Moon, Troy Fernandez, and Ledward Kaapana.
David started his professional career in 1995 at the age of 15 while still attending Kamehameha Schools Kapalama. Within a year of picking up the ukulele, David recorded two albums on George Winston’s Dancing Cat Records. He recorded Ohana (Family) with his father Dennis, followed by Hui Aloha with Dennis, Martin Pahinui, and George Kuo. David then joined and toured with the group Na Oiwi in 2000, playing contemporary Hawaiian music with father Dennis, Mike Kaawa, and Jon Yamasato. The group recorded two albums, Crossroads and The Sequel.
David’s first solo debut album Paani won “Contemporary Album of the Year” at the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards in 2005. Along with his father, David recorded for the soundtrack of the Disney Animated Film “Lilo and Stitch 2: Stitch has a Glitch” specifically on the song “Always” written by Jeanine Tesori and Alexa Junge with Hawaiian Translation by Dennis Kamakahi. David released his sophomore album “Shine” in 2008 that was nominated for “Best Contemporary Album” at the Hawaii Music Awards. David was nominated in 2009 for The Grammy Awards as part of the compilation album, Slack Key Kings. In 2011, David joined the musical duo Waipuna with fellow Kamehameha alumni Matthew Sproat and Kale Hannahs. To date Waipuna has won numerous Na Hoku Hanohano Awards including “Instrumental Composition of the Year” for Napili Bay composed by David Kamakahi and Herb Ohta Jr., “Group of the Year”, “Island Music Album of the Year” and “Single of the Year.”
After his father passed away from cancer in 2014, David founded Naukilo Music LLC with the sole purpose of preserving and releasing his father’s archives of unreleased music to the world.
His talent and versatility has enabled him to travel to Japan and the mainland extensively, while performing solo, duo, or with a group.
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“A Kamaka ukulele is more than a musical instrument. It is a piece of Hawaii’s history and an heirloom that will be in your family for generations (if cared and loved for properly).”
Hoku Zuttermeister was born and raised in Kaneohe, Hawaii. At a very young age, he started dancing hula, and in intermediate school, progressed to teaching himself how to play the ukulele, guitar and bass. Hoku comes from a Hawaiian family dynasty that encompasses both the hula and music communities. His great-grandmother, Kaui Zuttermeister penned the beloved song, “Na Pua Lei Ilima,” and his great-aunt is Kumu Hula Noe Zuttermeister.
As Hoku grew into his musical abilities, he and his friends found an innate desire to play the music that their kupuna listened to and performed; the music of the Hawaiian renaissance. During Hoku’s senior year in high school, the band Kanae was born. Ioane Burns, Marcus Ontai, Kekoa Kaluhiwa and Hoku formed this singing group in 1992, a time when traditional Hawaiian music was faltering in popularity and Jawaiian music filled the airwaves. They realized they were the only young group of musicians performing the nahenahe style of Hawaiian music. The music of Linda Dela Cruz, Genoa Keawe, Sam Bernard, Darrell Lupenui, Kekua Fernandez, The Brothers Cazimero and many other Hawaiian music artists shaped the music of Kanae, and in turn, Hoku’s musical style.
After high school, Hoku continued his growth as a musician by performing with such Hawaiian music greats as Kuuipo Kumukahi, Jerry Santos, Sean Naauao, Raiatea Helm, Na Palapalai, Mahela Ichinose, Hookena and Side Order Band. It is from these musicians, and many others, that Hoku learned the intricacies of starting and maintaining a musical career. He credits all of these influences as the pieces that have come together to form his musical style; a style he describes as “Hawaiian, but with a more contemporary flair.”
Hoku’s album, “Aina Kupuna”, won six 2008 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards including Hawaiian Album of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Entertainer of the Year, Hawaiian Language Performance, Most Promising New Artist and Liner Notes.
Brad Watanabe
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“Kamaka ukuleles are my favorite because they have a rich and solid sound. Kamakas always come out sounding clear and very detailed. They are built well and made to last and if they ever need service, the people at the factory are always kind and helpful.”
Born and raised in Kailua, Hawaii, songwriter and performer Brad “BW” Watanabe has been making music most of his life. He started taking ukulele lessons at age three and piano lessons at age five. Later in high school, he taught himself guitar and bass and started jamming with friends and in different bands.
In 2004, BW was asked to join one of his favorite bands, Ooklah the Moc, as they began recording their second album “Rearrange your Positive,” and went on his first tour of the United States. Reggae has always been a big influence on BW’s music and it was while recording in the studio with Ooklah that he learned even more about the music genre.
In 2007, BW started writing music for the first time and in 2009, together with friends, formed The Green, an all-star group of local musicians. BW played bass and keyboards and co-produced the first album and later wrote songs. Currently, BW can be found on stage with The Green playing bass, keyboards, and singing harmonies.