GALA PARTY

Raiatea Mokihana Maile Helm is an authentic Hawaiian singer from Molokaʻi, Hawaiʻi who is known for her powerful vocals accompanied by an authentic `ukulele strum. She has played for audiences around the world, places including China, Tahiti, Japan, and Okinawa.

It is no surprise her hard work and dedication for preserving the authentic Hawai’ian culture has landed her several prestigious awards including 2 Grammy nominations, Native Arts & Cultures Foundation Fellowship, and numerous Nā Hōku Hanohano Awards. Raiatea has garnered international success as well as being one of Hawaiʻi’s premiere female vocalists.

Kimié Miner is an Emmy-nominated and Grammy-nominated Producer, Singer-Songwriter, Recording Artist, Music Advocate and the Founder of Haku Collective, a full-service music, audio, and talent production group dedicated to elevating Hawaiian music and mentorship.

She is a multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winner, co-writing and co-producing six albums, and has also been named Female Artist of the Year at the Island Music Awards. She served on the Board of Governors for the Recording Academy (Pacific Northwest Chapter) and the Hawai‘i Academy of Recording Arts, and continues to be a Recording Academy District Advocate, championing music creators’ rights.
Rooted in the belief that culture and identity are sources of power, Kimié embodies the ʻōlelo noʻeau: “I ulu no ka lālā i ke kumu” – The branches grow because of the trunk.

Her artistry, mentorship, and advocacy are extensions of those who came before her, ensuring that Hawaiian music, language, and stories continue to thrive for future generations.
As a Native Hawaiian woman, artist, and mother, Kimié intimately understands the struggle to be heard and validated amid mainstream peers. She has learned that what once seemed like obstacles—her heritage, unique voice, and identity—are in fact her greatest strengths and purpose.
Her mission is to inspire youth and women to overcome adversity while fostering a thriving network of indigenous artists through mentorship, community programs, and industry services at Haku Collective.

“I am an artist for artists.” Through her work, Kimié is cultivating a movement—one that empowers creatives to share their most authentic stories of Hawai‘i with the world.

Kris Fuchigami’s musical journey began with a humble, weathered ukulele and an unwavering passion to master the instrument. Within just two years, his dedication culminated in a remarkable victory at the Hamakua Music Scholarship Competition on the Big Island of Hawaii, where he competed against classical pianists, vocalists, drummers, and musicians across diverse genres. This achievement marked the beginning of Kris’s ascent as a globally recognized ukulele virtuoso.

Kris has since headlined and performed at numerous ukulele festivals worldwide, captivating audiences with his innovative style and technical prowess. His artistry has earned him international acclaim, establishing him as a prominent figure in the ukulele community.

In 2016, Kris was nominated for the prestigious Na Hoku Hanohano Award in the Instrumental Composition of the Year category for his original piece, Moemoea, inspired by a performing tour in Tahiti. In 2018, his album More Than This garnered a nomination for Ukulele Album of the Year, further showcasing his compositional depth and versatility.

Kris’s excellence was recognized with Na Hoku Hanohano Awards for Instrumental Composition of the Year in 2019, 2021, and 2023, solidifying his reputation as a trailblazer in the music industry. His contributions continue to inspire and elevate the ukulele’s presence on the global stage.

A slack key guitarist from Maui, Hawaii, Jeff Peterson is known for his sophisticated performances, blending the traditional Hawaiian ki hoalu (slack key guitar) with elements of classical and jazz. His delicate yet dynamic fingerpicking and crystalline tone embody the depth and beauty of Hawaiian music.

While internationally acclaimed as a guitarist, he also actively collaborates with and engages in projects featuring the ukulele, sharing the appeal of Hawaiian strings in a variety of ways. His rich musicality and exceptional expressiveness are further enhanced in the ensemble where string instruments resonate with each other.

He will deliver a magnificent performance that evokes the landscape and spirit of Hawaii.

MAKENA(Ho‘okena,Moon Kauakahi and Eric Lee)

Ho‘okena has been a cornerstone of Hawaiian music scene and is synonymous with high quality Hawaiian music for nearly four decades, known for their innovative blend of contemporary traditional Hawaiian sounds.

Since their formation in 1985, the group has released 13 acclaimed albums and performed around the world, from the islands of Hawaiʻi to prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall in New York City and across Japan and the United States.

Their latest album, Meant To Be, was released on October 31, 2020, in celebration of their 35th anniversary and was a finalist for the 2021 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards. Over the years, Hoʻokena has been recognized with multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards and earned three Grammy nominations, solidifying their reputation as masters in recording, composing, arranging, and performing Hawaiian music.

The group comprised of Horace K Dudoit III, Chris Kamaka, Glen Smith and hula stylist Kumu Hula Nani Dudoit, travels the globe, sharing their harmonious music and authentic hula and preserving and promoting Hawaiʻiʻs rich heritage.

Whether performing for thousands at iconic venues or intimate gatherings Ho’okenaʻs love for Hawaiian music shines through, captivating audiences wherever they go.

Moon Kauakahi and Eric Lee, the former members of The Makaha Sons. Along with these two, we call ourselves “Makena” which is combination of the two groups.