Justin Ka`upu
In the 3rd grade I took an after-school `ukulele class, but quit after only a month. Fortunately, in 7th grade I joined the Waiakea Intermediate `ukulele class. It was in this class that I was first introduced to the guitar and upright bass, and while learning to play these instruments, I also taught myself to play the piano. During this period of my youth, I was also introduced to a variety of musical instruments and styles of music.

I was accepted into the Kamehameha High School Kapalama Campus in 1997 and became intimately involved with the annual school-wide Song Contest where I was introduced to choral singing. When I first heard the sound of 200 voices singing together I was immediately hooked. I wanted to hear more. I would practice playing through the choral music on the piano each day using the time to increase my skills in reading and "faking" music. It was in high school that I decided to pursue a degree in Music Education at UH Manoa.

I strengthened my knowledge of Hawaiian Music at the university by taking Hawaiian Chorus, Hawaiian Ensemble, and Hawaiian language classes. My experience in choral education likewise strengthened my singing. I enjoyed every moment of my time in college that gave me the knowledge and experiences that I am now able to share with students of my own.

There are many people that influenced my musical endeavors.  I am grateful to each one for different reasons.  To my friends, Jarett Nakamura and Kristoffer Toribio, for putting up with my music no matter how many times I played it.  As a student I'd like to thank all my kumu that shared their musical knowledge with me:  Dr. Karen Kennedy, Les Ceballos, Tim Ho, Bailey Matsuda, Dr. Takeo Kudo, Teresa Bomberger, Tita Imelda Gasmen, Keawe Lopes, Andrew Kulani Akahi, and Chadwick Pang.  To my dad, James Kimo Kahaleua, for lending me his musical talents.  To my siblings, Jeremy and Jade-lynn Kahaleua, for motivating me to finish up my college degree in music.  I would also like to thank the rest of my family for flying out to Oahu to show support when they could.  Finally to my parents, Reinette Morgan and Lonnie Morgan, for always fully supporting any decisions I made.  To anyone I may have missed I'm sorry, but thank you as well.

Chadwick Pang
My journey as a musician began under the guidance of my grandfather, a professional Hawaiian musician and the person who raised me. Starting at the age of five, he instructed me in `ukulele, Hawaiian falsetto singing, and mele (songs and poetry). When he retired, we relocated from Hawai‘i to Oregon, where I quickly adjusted to a new natural landscape as well as new musical and cultural spaces. Through high school, I was exposed to different forms of music, like the vocal jazz of the Manhattan Transfer, musicals of Andrew Lloyd Weber, and choral works by J. S. Bach. While encouraging all of my western musical explorations, my grandfather never relented on my cultural heritage. Every day after school I practiced singing, drumming, and ‘ukulele under his guidance. I spent many school nights performing in his Polynesian revue in theaters, parks, and lounges, desperately trying to finish my homework in the dressing room or in the corner of a smoky lounge. It seemed like an unorthodox upbringing then, but now I look back on those days with great appreciation and fondness.

It was these musical experiences that inspired me to get a BA in Music at the University of Hawai`i. My journey continues as I am currently pursuing a Master of Arts degree in Ethnomusicology through studying and teaching at the university. This opportunity has allowed me to bring young musicians together, share my love of Hawaiian music, and challenge our musical boundaries. My greatest aspiration and goal is to contribute to the fields of music, culture, and education in Hawai`i.

I want to thank my grandparents, Rudy and Helen Pang, for all the sacrifices they made to raise me in their retirement.  After a good scolding, they always reminded me that they imagined their old-age in an RV traveling across America, not raising a spoiled brat.  A tremendous thank you goes to all of my aunties, uncles, and cousins, familial and heart-felt, who gave me a loving place to belong to.  I'd like to thank all of my friends, who have ever shared a story, a stage, or one-too-many drinks with me.  You, and a shot of Jägermeister, have made life worthwhile.  I would also like to thank the great teachers in my life that sparked light-bulb moments and shared life-changing opportunities:  Sister Simone Marie, Dan Dalzell, June Shimana, Kimo Pang, Naliko Kahoali`i-Markel, Sandra Miller, Lynn Boitano, Jean Carpenter, Byron Yasui, Nola Nahulu, Snowbird Bento, Karen Kennedy, and my guiding light through college, Jane Moulin.

Mamina Koga
I was three years old when I started to play the piano. I went to a junior high school affiliated with a music college, spending my teenage years learning western classical music. I obtained my BA from the National University of Fine Arts and Music in Japan. It was about this time when I discovered hula and Hawaiian music, which have changed my life.

Fascinated by the expressive nature of hula, I quickly joined a hula school in Tokyo and took vocal lessons to compliment my study of Hawaiian dance.

I later became a graduate student majoring in Cultural Anthropology at the University of Tokyo because I felt compelled to study Hawaiian culture and its influences on contemporary Japanese society. While studying for my Master of Arts degree, I sang Hawaiian songs and danced hula in many places, concerts and competitions. I was selected as a Crown Prince Akihito Scholar for 2005-2007 and studied in the Ethnomusicology Department of the University of Hawai`i.  I am now pursuing a PhD in Cultural Anthropology at the University of Tokyo while performing Hawaiian music in various music venues in Japan.

I would like to acknowledge all of my family members, hula sisters and brothers, friends, and teachers who gave me every possible encouragement. My thanks especially go to Noenoelani Zuttermeister, Snowbird Bento, my partner Toshiaki Furukawa, and the many great teachers and students of the Ethnomusicology Department of the University of Hawai`i at Manoa. I would also like to thank the Prince Akihito Scholarship Foundation that enabled me to study for two years at UH Manoa where I had the experience of a lifetime.

Rosanna Perch
I have been making music all of my life. As a young child, I sang in the church choir and as I grew, I dabbled in other fields and have played a variety of instruments, including the bassoon. Before entering college, I chose to make music my profession. Since those days, I’ve have obtained a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Hawai`i and have sung with various organizations including the Hawai`i Vocal Arts Ensemble, the Hawaii Opera Theatre, the Honolulu Symphony, and numerous university ensembles; as well as at weddings, funerals, celebrations, church services, fundraisers, and other functions around the islands. 

During the past couple of years, I have made it one of my life’s missions (I have many) to learn as much as I can about my culture. This journey began when I realized it was odd that I had learned so many things about European and American culture and so very little of my own Hawaiian culture. Now, here I am, performing, singing, and recording Hawaiian music with my good friends. I associate making Hawaiian music with my journey. The community and this music hold a special meaning to me; it’s a “place” where I feel spiritually connected. 

No (wo)man…especially me…is an island. I am a singer-musician…a performing artist, if you will, and I rarely think of myself as a chauffeur, proof reader, sewing expert, hair/make-up artist, or secretary, but I am infinitely grateful to all of the people who have shared these talents and skills with me. Thank you, Mom, for shuttling me from rehearsal to rehearsal, and for making sure my clothes are wrinkle free. Thank you, Hoku, for patiently waiting in the car and lending a much needed hand.  Thank you, Dad and Tamika, for lessening the distance between Hawai‘i and New York.   Thank you, Dan, for shuttling, waiting, proofreading, and most of all for listening with love. Thank you, James, for being who you are. Thank you, U`i, for opening up the dialogue between me and my na‘au…and MAC.  Thank you to those that have helped me grow as a musician and as person: Timothy Carney, Karen Kennedy, Nola Nahulu, Beebe Freitas, Larry Paxton, John Mount, HVAE, HOT, Punahou School, UHM…this list could go on and on…

Sophronia Smith 
When I was three years old my mother took me to her Maori Culture practice. I recall the waiata, or song, that was sung by the group, thick with harmony that retold the stories of my Maori ancestors. The spirit of the music resonated with something within; therefore, I became a student of Maori Culture Performing Arts and have had the opportunity to perform kapa haka (traditional Maori performing arts) at the National Maori Culture Competition on numerous occasions. My experiences prepared me to sing in New Zealand and Sydney bars and clubs. In 2002, I moved to Hawai’i to attend Brigham Young University and was hired at the neighboring Polynesian Cultural Center as a musician performing music from all over Polynesia. It was there that my love for Hawaiian music was planted.

Music encompasses many aspects of my life. I currently teach Maori music and language at the university. As a PhD student of Political Science, I have incorporated music into my research of politics, leadership, and expression. My primary focus is analyzing gender politics within the music spatial. 

First and foremost I humbly acknowledge and thank Papa Nui I te Rangi, My Heavenly Father, who has so graciously imparted to me the talent to touch people’s lives through music.  I know that ‘I am’ because of him!   There have been so many people who have influenced me during my musical journey in life.  This album is an outcome of their teachings, guidance, and inspiration to become a better vocalist, guitarist, and musician.  I would especially like to recognize the following people:  My Mum and Dad, my brother Keepa, Nanny Rebecca Smith, Aunty Winnie, Aunty Ruth, Aunty Kuini, Uncle Tommie Taurima, Hohepa Tamehana, Muriwai Ihakara, Roberta Arahanga, Jeniel Sika, Dalan and Tia Muti, George Kaka, Milton Kaka, Halam Ah Quin, Rangi and Annette Pomare, Jo E King, Ruddy Rudolph, James Kerr, and Melody Salmon.