2023 Ukulele Picnic in Hawai’i Musicians

From Hawai’i

  • Raiatea Helm
    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 Hawaiian 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.
  • Mark Yamanaka
    Born on Oahu and raised in Hilo, Hawaii
    Japanese Hawaiian singer
    Mark got a ukulele at the age of 12 and then started playing guitar shortly after.
    He has a great talent for singing a wide range of songs from island music to traditional Hawaiian to contemporary music. Growing up, he idolized singers such as: Gary Haleamau, Darren Benitez and the late Dennis Pavao and Kumu Hula Johnny Lum Ho.
    In 2010, he released his solo debut album “Lei Pua Kenikeni”. The contemporary-style original song “Kaleoonālani” was selected as the song of the year by Na Hoku Hanohano Awards in 2011. Along with that award, the album was awarded in three other categories: Most Promising Artist of the Year, Album of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year.He quickly rose in the Hawaiian music world after his first release.
    In 2013, he released his second album “Lei Maile”. At the 2014 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards, he once again took home numerous awards including: Co-Male Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Single of the Year and Liner Notes.
    In 2015, he joined forces with his friends, Kupaoa to release a Christmas Album and they won the 2016 Christmas Album Award at Na Hoku Hanohano Awards.
    In 2018, Mark’s 3rd release came out entitled “Lei Lehua”. That album garnered him 5 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards in the following categories: Album of the Year, Island Music Album,Song of the Year, Single of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year.
    When Mark’s not singing, you can catch him selling cars in Hilo at Aiona Car Sales.
  • Kamuela Kimokeo & Hi‘ikua
    Hi‘ikua is a Na Hoku Hanohano award-winning Hawaiian music trio known for its falsetto singing and virtuosic playing. They have performed throughout the US and internationally. Their intention as a musical group is to honor the Hawaiian musicians who came before them while understanding that they have kuleana to tell their own musical stories for future generations to come.
    Blake Leoiki-Haili is a sheet metal worker. Blake started playing music with Kamuela when he was in the 7th grade and they have been playing gigs together ever since. Blake loves to spend time supporting his two sons at their sporting events as well as spending time at home working in his māla where he and his children raise kalo.
    Dr. Kalehua Krug currently serves as the principal of the Hawaiian Charter School, Ka Waihona o ka Na‘auao. Beyond being an educator, Kalehua has a passion for protecting sacred spaces in our island home. Aside from playing with Hi‘ikua, he has recorded 2 songs with his children in the group Ohana Krug Music. Their latest recording Ola i ka Wai calls for the protection of our sacred water and brings attention to our situation at Pu‘u ka Pukaki or Red Hill.
    Dr. Kamuela Kimokeo currently serves as the director of the music program at Windward Community College. His doctoral reesearch focused on how people can be empowered through the composition of mele. He currently runs an online Hawaiian Music certificate program at the college that is taught by himself, Kawaikapu Hewett, Kapena De Lima, and Raiatea Helm.
  • Kala’e Camarillo
    Born and raised in Kihei, Maui, Kala’e Camarillo comes from a family of music educators and entertainers. His grandfather, George Camarillo, started the first ʻukulele band in Hawai’i public schools at Waiakea Intermediate, and his father, Rama, followed in his footsteps by becoming an ʻukulele teacher as well. In addition, his mother, Cora, is the sister of multi Nā Hōkū Hanohano award winner, Lehua Kalima of Nā Leo Pilimehana.
    In 2017, Kala’e released his his debut album entitled “Working Man,” which garnered him a nomination at the prestigious Na Hoku Hanohano Awards (Hawai’i Grammys), recognizing him as one of Hawai’i’s “Most Promising Artists.” In 2019, he followed that up with his sophomore album, “Feel at Home,” which was produced by Hawai’i’s very own three-time Grammy Award Winning Producer, Dave Tucciarone. “Feel at Home” went on to win Kala’e his first ever Na Hoku Hanohano award for Contemporary Acoustic Album of the Year. In 2021, he released a song he wrote for his Mom, “Be Like You,” which garnered nominations for Song of The Year & Single of The Year.
  • Kalei Gamiao & Corey Fujimoto
    coming soon…
  • Jody Kamisato
    Jody Kamisato is a musician, instructor, producer and the owner of Ukulele Hale, a ‘ukulele studio in Honolulu that has produced some of Hawaii’s greatest rising stars.
    With an incredible team of talented instructors Ms. Gina Sunada and Mr. Cody Chung, Ukulele Hale continues to perpetuate the instrument and culture of Aloha to future generations one lesson at a time.
  • Dr. Trey
    Tracey Terada, aka Dr. Trey has made his life’s mission to show the world that the `ukulele is one of the most versatile instruments ever created. His passion for the music and the `ukulele has lead him to becoming a Na Hoku Hanohano award winning producer of Pure Heart (with Jake Shimabukuro). Currently, Dr. Trey has teamed up with Mailani Makainai to create an unstoppable team that brings a fresh and exciting approach to traditional and contemporary Hawaiian music.
  • Honoka
    From Ukulele Hale, Honoka and Azita won the MVP prize as a duo at International Ukulele Contest in 2013, The duo became a sensation in ukulele industry, and performed at many events and concerts around the world. Honoka now pursues her career as a solo artist.
    Brought up in Hawai’i embraced by beauty from the mountain to the sea, Honoka has grown an admiration for the nature that surrounds her. The thoughts, feelings, and memories that nature brings to Honoka are the inspirations behind her music. As she travels the world with her ukulele in hand, Honoka would like to continue sharing her love and passion for music and the aloha spirit.
  • Kumu Ka’imilani Shiori
    Kumu Ka’imilani Shiorii has been dancing hula since she was 15 years old, under the direction of Kumu Hula Sandii Manumele Laniākea in Japan. She moved to Hawai’i in 2008 to work on her Masters of Fine Arts at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa and earned her degree in 2013.
    After her long journey studying hula under the direction of Kumu hula Pattye Kealohalani Wright, she ‘Uniki as Kumu Hula in 2022.
    She is now carrying her Kumu’s tradition to the next generation.

From Akasaka

  • Anastasia
    Anastasia, known by her stage name anathebandah, really likes playing ukulele! She first picked up the instrument in early 2016 after being inspired by acoustic fingerstyle artists such as Sungha Jung, Corey Fujimoto, Andrew Foy, Jake Shimabukuro, and many others. She is self-taught, arranges songs by ear, and posts her arrangements onto her YouTube channel “anathebandah”.
    Gathering inspiration from numerous types of music ranging from pop music to film soundtracks, she cultivates her playing style which highlights bright harmonics and percussive sounds. She won the Adult Category of the 8th Annual Kris Fuchigami Ukulele Contest in 2020 along with the MVP, Solo Teens Category, and Grand Champion of the 10th Annual International Ukulele Contest in 2021. Anastasia strives to share the awesomeness of the ukulele with the world and aspires to become an ukulele master one day!

From Japan

  • Kenta Ebara
    Multiplayer (guitar, ukulele, bass, keyboard, etc.), mix engineer, track maker, singer-songwriter based in Tokyo and second hometown Tokushima.
    Born in Tokyo in 1983. He grew up in a family blessed with music from an early age, and has learned various music such as Blues, Rock, and Country. She spends her childhood devoted to the guitar, such as spending time with her father who lived in the United States.
    He won the Grand Champion (MVP), KZOO Radio Award, Finalist Award, and Grand Champion at the International Ukulele Contest 2020.
    At Japan’s top guitar contest “Morris FingerPicking Contest 2015”, he won the Grand Prize (MVP) and the Original Arrangement Award.
    He performs multi-recordings that elaborately knit loop sounds with digital machines, and solo guitars full of advanced techniques as a finger picker.
    He shows unique world with heartfelt voices and lyrics.
    Currently, he is attracting attention as an arranger, guitarist, and author, taking advantage of his multi-talented talents, not only writing lyrics and composing, but also arranging, recording, mixing, and writing.
  • 1933 Ukulele All Stars
    Special collaboration group is created, and they are called – “Ukulele All Stars”! The group consists of talented musicians and ukulele enthusiasts in Japan, led by Boo Takagi. Although he is well known as a member of the Drifters, he has been very passionate about Ukulele for many years, and loves Hawai’i. About 25 years ago, Boo-san asked Ukulele Picnic in Hawaii’s executive producer, Sekiguchi-san, “Can we organize something, like Ukulele Orchestra?” and that’s how this dream-like group was formed.
    According to Sekiguchi-san, there are two very important criteria to be in this 1933 Ukulele All Stars – 1) loves Ukulele, and 2) respects Mr. Boo Takagi with whole heart. Current members are, Yoshio Nomura (very famous Tanokin-Torio member),Yoko Oginome, Kimiko Wakiyama, Yu Hatakeyama, Kazuyuki Sekiguchi, and Boo Takagi.
  • Homies Ukulele Orchestra
    A Tokyo-based ukulele orchestra formed in 2020 by Kenta Ebara, a world ukulele champion. Members of all ages have come together with the sole condition of participation being a love of the ukulele, and are having fun practicing and performing. The ensemble, which unites not only the performing members but also the hearts of the listeners, won the MVP (Most Valuable Player) PRIZE at “The International Ukulele Contest 2022”!