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Kamakakēhau Fernandez

Picture

Artist Biography

If anyone could be described as having “Hawaiian heart and soul,” it is indeed Ryan Kamakakehau Fernandez. Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, this 6 week old African American infant was adopted by Robyn Naeʻole and brought to the shores of Maui, Hawaiʻi. It is here that his new family and home shaped “Kamaka” into one of Hawaiʻi’s newest and most refreshing talents.

Kamaka’s education played a huge part in his love and appreciation for the Hawaiian culture and music. He is a graduate of the Hawaiian Language Immersion Program (Kula Kaiapuni, King Kekaulike High School) and is proud to be a fluent speaker of the Hawaiian language. E Ola KaʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Let the Hawaiian Language live on) is what kamakaKēhauʻs motto is for the language of the land. Kamakakēhau has been featured in the Disney Animation film "MOANA" re made in the hawaiian language, in which Kamakakēhau plays the role of (TAMATOA) The Shiny Crab.

As he studied – and lived – Hawaiian culture and language, a new-found love emerged from within as he became enamored with the ʻukulele and the art of leo kiʻekiʻe (falsetto) singing. He was the 2003 winner of falsetto legend Richard Hoʻopiʻiʻs Falsetto contest, (part of the annual Aloha Festivals celebrations) and from that point on, Kamaka continued to astonish audiences with the range of his voice, the strum of his ʻukulele, and his heart…which is truly Hawaiian. As Kamaka states… “I love my mom, my ‘ohana, my friends and this wonderful culture that I was lucky enough to be immersed in. Hawaiʻi is my heart and soul.”

He has performed on numerous prestigious stages within the State of Hawaiʻi, including the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua’s Celebration of the Arts, the Castle Theater at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center, Oahu’s Keiki Hula Festival, the Tahiti Fete, and the Grand Hyatt Kauaʻi, as well as stages in the continental United States and Japan.

Website: 
https://www.kamakakehau.com/

Na Mele O Hina

He Mele No Hina 
Aia ho'i i Moloka'i 
Ka heke aʻo nā pua 
Me nā lei makamae e hāli'ali'a mai nei 
Aloha e Hina 
Moloka'i nui a Hina

Aia i Hālawa
Kaulana o Mo'o'ula
Kū ka nani i ke awāwa
E ho'owali ʻia ka wai me ka moana
aloha e Hina
Moloka'i nui a Hina


Aia i Pālā'au
Ka wahi kapu o ka leo Nanahoa 
'Olu'olu mai ka hu'ihu'i
E 'ike iho iā kalaupapa 
aloha e Hina

Moloka'i nui a Hina

Hā'ina ʻia mai ana 
Ka puana ē
Aloha e Hina
Moloka'i nui a Hina

It is here on moloka'i
Land of the best flowers; That turn in to precious leis. It brings back memories 
Hello Hina
this sweet home of Hina

There in Halawa
Famous is Moʻoʻula.
The valley rises beautifully 

As fresh water meets with ocean
Hello Hina

Sweet home of Hina

There in Pālā'au
Sacred is the phalic rock of chief Nanahoa
Pleasant is the chill in the air

While gazing down toward Kalaupapa 
Hello Hina

Sweet home of Hina

This is my refrain
Of the best flowers
With those precious leiʻs
That bring back memories 

Hello Hina
Sweet home of Hina
Halawai, Inc
P.O. Box 250189
​New York, NY 10025-9991