Josh Tatofi With Special Guest Na Hoa

Josh Tatofi was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. His father, established local musician Tivaini Tatofi, is an original member of the acclaimed reggae band Kapena. As a child, music for Josh was inescapable. By the age of thirteen, Josh had begun performing throughout the Hawaiian Islands, establishing himself as a respected vocalist while gaining the recognition of his audiences and his peers. By the age of nineteen, Josh recorded an album with the wildly popular Maui band ʻEkolu. Spawn to the Kapena sound, Joshʻs early career resembled that of a reggae-lover, consisting of upbeat melodies, catchy hooks and local collaborations.

In 2017, Tatofi won two Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards for the categories of Male Vocalist of the Year and Island Music Album of the Year for “Pua Kiele.”  He earned a GRAMMY® nomination in 2018 for the same album in the category of Regional Roots.

Josh released his sophomore full-length Hawaiian album, entitled “Ua Kui A Lawa” in December of 2019.  The album ended up winning five Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards in 2020 for the categories: Album of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Island Music Album of the Year, Entertainer of the Year and Single of the Year “Melia.”  In addition to the Nā Hōkū Awards, Josh won “Best International Pacific Artist” in 2020 at the Pacific Music Awards in New Zealand.

Nā Hoa secured their first GRAMMY® Award nomination in the Best Regional Roots Album category as the Recording Academy announced on December 7th, 2018, the final ballot nominees for the 61st GRAMMY® Awards. The Best Regional Roots Album category is dedicated to recording artists for releasing albums in regionally based traditional American music, including Hawaiian, Native American, Polka, Zydeco, and Cajun genres.

High-pitched falsetto voices whimsically singing traditional Hawaiian tunes bring forth images of Hawai‘i’s unparalleled history and scenic terrain. Falsetto singing is an integral component and trademark of traditional Hawaiian music, which is the genre that Keoni Souza (bass), 34, Ikaika Blackburn (‘ukulele), 36, and Hale Seabury-Akaka (guitar), 35, have diligently worked hard to perpetuate over the years. Together they form the group Nā Hoa, simply meaning “friends” in Hawaiian.

Young men playing songs of Hawai‘i’s past is minimal, yet the niche is rapidly growing as more young Hawaiians find solace in their roots. As Nā Hoa acknowledges the importance of their heritage and pays tribute to the decorated musicians that went before them, they are filled with a tranquil sincerity and obligation which is unmatched.

Each of the three group members plays music all over the world, individually or as a group, for select hālau (hula groups) who showcase their hula in competitions or concerts at different locales. The most frequently visited destination for the trio is Japan, where the market for traditional Hawaiian music is potent with demand. Souza’s most notable performance was at the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York City. Other destinations that have been entranced with Nā Hoa’s music include: New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and California.