"Chicken skin" is the only way to describe the reaction to a teenage trio’s a cappella rendition of the national and state anthems at the recent First Hawaiian Bank High School Canoe Paddling Championships in Hilo.

As the Feb. 3 event kicked off with the perfunctory "Star-spangled Banner," many of the student paddlers and adult supporters continued to move about the beach at Hilo Bayfront in preparation for the start of the races. But they all stopped in their tracks as Jacob Kaumuali’i Kailiwai-ching, Hero Wooching and Kameron Kalamaku Freitas began to sing their tight harmonies, eliciting cheers at the song’s most rousing moments.

That was followed by a knockout version of "Hawaii Ponoi," including the rarely performed second and third verses.

They would have gotten a standing ovation, only the crowd was already standing.

"They sang on pitch and with heart and soul," said Timothy Lino, principal of Ke Kula ‘o ‘Ehunuikaimalino, a Department of Education Hawaiian immersion school in Kealakekua where Kailiwai-ching, Wooching and Freitas are juniors. 

The three students have known each other since elementary school days and have appeared individually and as a group at community events, ceremonies and parties.

"We just practiced the night before and we just did it," Wooching said of their stirring performance at the paddling championships.

"A lot of people are surprised and they love the way we’re so young and can harmonize. Even as individuals we sing really good."

In fact, Wooching and Kailiwai-Ching auditioned separately for "X Factor" and "American Idol," respectively. The two haven’t advanced so far as to appear on TV yet, but in true show biz tradition, the teens are holding on to their dreams.

"I want to make a career out of this," Wooching said. "This is what I want to do. I’m really striving to become famous. Singing is my priority, it’s my No. 1 thing. I’ll drop anything for it, except my family and the Lord."

Wooching last year was a daily winner of the American Idol Experience at Disney World in Orlando, Fla., entitling her to sing in front of an "Idol" representative at a regional audition. She is hoping to make that happen before the show’s next season.

Although he tried out for "Idol," Kailiwai-Ching said he would rather make his name as a traditional Hawaiian falsetto singer.

Freitas, who said he has been singing "since before I could talk," has more down-to-earth goals.

"I would like to pursue (singing), but it’s definitely not something I can rely on," he said. "I want to major or minor in music in college along with something else."