|
 Artist:
'Ika Pono
CD:
Ka Mano Wai
Category:
Traditional/Contemporary Hawaiian
Record
Company: Ohana Records
Release:
2003
Contact:
www.pacifichawaiian.com
‘Ike
Pono; Hawaiian translation: to search for
righteousness. Four individuals, each
with their own music history, diversity, and
cultural background, come together to create
a unique upbeat approach to sound and
harmony, bordering Hawaiian contemporary,
yet still maintaining the traditional
Hawaiian sounds. This Hawaiian quartet was
formed in November 1997 and took the name
‘Ike Pono to perpetuate their common
threads of love for God and love for what is
Hawaiian, ever pursuing the righteousness of
both.
Donovan
Collier –ukulele, lead & background
vocals: Donovan is an accomplished musician
& Kumu Hula who has spent most of his
life immersed in Hawaiian culture, language,
and Hula. He has played with some of the
finest names in Hawaiian music and has
participated in many of the local Hula
competitions, both as a Kumu Hula and
musician. Stanton Oshiro – 4-string lead
ukulele, background vocals: Stanton Oshiro
is a relative new comer to the Hawaiian
music scene. Trained by ukulele master, Roy
Sakuma, Stanton spent much of his earlier
years playing in backyard jam sessions with
friends. He has developed a unique style of
open cord progressions and fills that really
make his music stand out in the group.
Bobby
Yu – Acoustic upright & electric bass,
background vocals: Bobby is the most
seasoned member of the group with his
musical history beginning in the early 70’s.
Bobby’s younger years were spent as a rock
bass player with the Ritchie Walker Band of
Puck’s Pub days. He has since attained a
Bachelor of Arts degree in music and is
currently the band director of the Waialua
High and Intermediate School bands on the
North Shore on Oahu.
Michael
Lowe – 6 string acoustic slack-key guitar,
lead & background vocals: Though raised
in the mainland, Michael was brought up
listening to and playing Hawaiian music from
his childhood. After moving back to Hawaii
in 1993, Michael studied Slack-Key guitar
under the tutelage of Slack-Key Master
Raymond Kane, whom he then toured with from
1995 to 1998.
‘Ike
Pono has appeared at different night spots
like Kapono’s, Gordon Biersch and others,
public venues like Pearlridge Center and
many private functions. They have performed
in support of Hula Halaus during
competitions here, and as far away as Las
Vegas. ‘Ike Pono has competed in the
all-acoustic music competition known as Ka
Himeni Ana where they were awarded 1st
runner up honors, and Battle for the Bash
where they’ve taken 1st place honors
giving them a performance slot at the
Waikiki Shell concert event. They have been
seen on television several times through the
years on Hawaii Public Access, ‘Olelo
channels and KHNL channel 8
Sample
Shots:
-
Ka
Nani 'O Wai'anae
-
Westbound
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