Ho'okena For the Holidays

Ho‘okena is a mainstay on the island music scene and is synonymous with high quality Hawaiian music. Since 1986 the group has produced 13 CDs and won numerous music awards. Their latest CD, “Meant to Be” was released on October 31, 2020 to commemorate their 35th anniversary, and was nominated as a finalist for the 2021 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards.

A four-time Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards winner and three-time Grammy Awards nominee, Ho‘okena is recognized for their excellence in recording, composing and creating Hawaiian contemporary music. The group, consisting of Horace K Dudoit III, Chris Kamaka, Glen Smith and their hula stylist Kumu Hula Nani Dudoit, travels the world to share their harmonious music, authentic hula and promote Hawai‘i's rich musical heritage.

Whether playing for thousands of concertgoers at such venues as Carnegie Hall in NYC, an intimate gathering or a practice jam session, the musicians of Ho‘okena continue to share their love of Hawaiian music with their fans.

Louis “Moon” Kauakahi - (Composer, arranger, Hawaiian language consultant). Moon is one of the founding members of the legendary group, Mākaha Sons of Niʻihau, and was the mastermind behind arranging the nahenahe music which produced 21 cds. After the departure of frontman Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwoʻole, the group continued on as the Mākaha Sons and went through various changes with members of the band before Moon retired from the group in 2014. Before his retirement, Moon was part of the group mashup between Hoʻokena and Mākaha Sons. Thus, they would do music from each otherʻs repertoire, as well as from other groups and they called this group, “Mākena”. Audiences can catch Mākena perform once a month at the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort “Kani Ka Pila Grille”. Moon retired from the Hawaiʻi National Guard and has been employed with the Queen Liliʻuokalani Trust as a youth development specialist since 2013. He is married to a beautiful hula dancer, Kyoko Kauakahi.

Eric Lee - (Composer and arranger). Eric is a multi-talented full-time musician/singer and is considered one of Hawaiʻiʻs most sought after musicians. He has the ability to perform different genres of music and blend seamlessly in various configurations of groups…from a featured soloist, to a quintet such as “Mākena” of which he is also a member of. With 25+ years in the music business here in Hawaiʻi, Eric has been a part of numerous cd recordings with former groups as well as solo projects that he self-produced, with his latest solo project to be released early 2023. He is a dedicated husband and father to his children.