New Keauhou album showcases trio’s talents

• By John Berger
• Oct. 2, 2022

Keauhou — Zachary Alaka‘i Lum, his brother Nicholas Keali‘i Lum and Jonah Kahanuola Solatorio — made history in 2017 when the trio’s self-titled debut album swept the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards with wins in all nine categories in which they were nominated. Read more

Rolando Sanchez, the king of tropical music in ­Hawaii, returns with new single

• By John Berger
• April 3, 2022

Rolando Sanchez has been “El rey de la musica tropical en Hawai” (“The king of tropical music in ­Hawaii”) ever since he brought contemporary Latin “salsa” music to mainstream Honolulu nightclub audiences in the late 1980s. Read more

On the air Monday at the Winter Olympics

• Feb. 14, 2022

On the air Listings are for Oceanic and Hawaiian Telcom analog/digital. *—premium station. **—retelecast. ***—delayed. Check your TV guide for latest updates. Read more

Island Mele: Daniel Ho releases live album; Art Umezu honored in compilation release

• By John Berger
• Jan. 9, 2022

Daniel Ho holds a unique place in Hawaii’s music history with six Grammy Awards for his work as a record producer and recording artist, received during the seven years that Hawaiian music had its own category. Read more

Napua Greig at ‘Home’ with country music

• By Review by John Berger
• Jan. 2, 2022

We might soon see Napua Greig on the national country music charts: A song on her newly released album, “Home,” shows that Greig, a multi-Na Hoku Hanohano Award winner, is ready and worthy of notice in Nashville. Read more

Island Mele: New releases from Greg Sardinha, Kulaiwi, Storm

• By John Berger
• Dec. 19, 2021

Steel guitar master Greg Sardinha expected his new instrumental full-length album to be out by summer’s end and that the four Christmas bonus tracks would have plenty to time to reach the ears of radio station programmers. Read more

Ho‘aikane comes full circle on new release; Molokai-based duo High Watah releases new single

• By John Berger
• Dec. 12, 2021

This milestone album brings Ho‘aikane full circle and opens a new chapter of its multidecade history. Ho‘aikane started out in the 1980s playing “back porch” slack-key music. Read more

Isle musicians Kanekoa, Uncle Tadashi & Da Boyz and Chardonnay share unique styles with new singles

• By John Berger
• Dec. 5, 2021

John Cruz won two Na Hoku Hanohano Awards for his first locally ­recorded album, “Island Style,” in 1997. Read more

Kalani Pe‘a’s new album delivers depth, style

• By John Berger
• June 27, 2021

Kalani Pe‘a holds an important place in the history of Hawaiian music. In 2017 he became the first Hawaii-resident artist to receive a Grammy Award after the award for Hawaiian music was eliminated in 2011. Read more

Review: Kala‘e Camarillo’s new single celebrates a mother’s love

• By John Berger
• May 9, 2021

Born and raised on Maui, Kala‘e Camarillo comes from an extended family of talented musicians. Read more

From instrumental tracks to modern Hawaiian songs, Hawaii musicians turn out new tunes

• By John Berger
• May 2, 2021

From livestreaming performances with virtual tip jars to socially distant outdoor concerts, Hawaii recording artists have come up with innovative ways over the past year to bring their music to the community. Read more

Reviews: Filipino, Hawaiian cultures merge on ‘Kawili’ album; Storm does metal rock remake of Cher’s ‘Dark Lady’

• By John Berger
• Feb. 14, 2021

In the 19th century, Hawaiians adopted and adapted many non-Hawaiian musical instruments. Read more

Reviews: Albums from Ka‘imi Hanano‘eau and Lance Takamiya explore Hawaiian music, slack key guitar tunes

• By John Berger
• Feb. 7, 2021

Is Hawaiian music a specific type of musical performance — Hawaiian language lyrics supported by acoustic guitar, ukulele, “stand-up bass” and steel guitar — or is it any type of music sung in the Hawaiian language? Read more

Reviews: From metal to a moving tribute, local musicians The Midnight Skulls, Paul Dunlap Jr. and Sean Na‘auao release new material

• By John Berger
• Jan. 24, 2021

Vocalist/graphic artist Barry Lasit is the key figure in this spin-off project by Gerald K. Gonsalves and Tin Idol Productions. Read more

Reviews: New releases from The Late Ones, Men in Grey Suits, Kimo Kahoano and Kamuela ­Kahoano

• By John Berger
• Jan. 17, 2021

“Babylon exists, I see her every day. In the eyes of my brothers. She leads them astray. Anything a man desire, she grants I. Confusing I and I with wicked lie.” Read more

Reviews: Stuart Hollinger returns with rock, Big Island duo Lavender brings fresh sound

• By John Berger
• Jan. 10, 2021

Two-time Na Hoku Hanohano Award winner Stuart Hollinger (best rock album in 2014, 2016) is back with his fourth collection of original rock. Read more

REVIEW: Strength shines through on isle albums

• By John Berger
• Dec. 16, 2020

Letting go of a dead-end romantic relationship can be surprisingly difficult even with the knowledge that letting go is the right thing to do. Read more

Island Mele: Debut Jawaiian song from Tiara Gomes and upbeat track from Uncle Tadashi & Da Boyz

• By John Berger
• Dec. 13, 2020

Talent contest winner Tiara Gomes partners with contest-sponsors Maoli in making her debut as a recording artist with this seductive Jawaiian/pop original. Read more