Daisy Fest: A Benefit for Pancreatic Cancer

Tavana is a multi-instrumentalist from Honolulu, HI who uses electronic drum triggers to lay down a variety of grooves with his feet while simultaneously playing guitar, banjo, lap steel, or ukulele and singing soulful, island-inspired rock and blues. His album, "Aloha Spirit" was a Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award Nominee for Best Contemporary Album of the Year in 2018, and features Leon Mobley (Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals), Chris Chorney (Kanye West and Jay-Z), and Mike Lewis (Sammy Davis, The Temptations, Billy Joel), as well as other world class musicians - Mark Lindberg, Ken Likens, and Ane Pessin. The album displays Tavana’s versatility with crossover pop songs "SMH," "Aloha Spirit" and "Island Days," while still showcasing some of his traditional hard-driving rock style on "Walk My Way" and "Glass Castle."

Tavana has been the supporting act for Alabama Shakes, Shakey Graves, Xavier Rudd, Jenny Lewis, Julian Marley, and Kaleo to name just a few, and In 2009, Eddie Vedder invited Tavana to sing "Hawaii 78," a Hawaii anthem of sorts, with him at the Hawaii Theatre. “He’s more the exception than the rule, he is a great human and I’m glad to know him,” said Vedder while introducing Tavana to the audience. From a recording of their performance together, Vedder produced a limited vinyl record that was sent out to 10,000 Pearl Jam fans.

Robi Kahakalau is one of Hawai'i's most recognized female voices. She first came into the music scene as the featured female vocalist in the prevalent group, Hawaiian Style Band, as "Sistah Robi" and quickly became a favorite among Hawai'i's music industry and fans. She has since had a very successful solo career that has spanned over two decades, with her albums earning her multiple Na Hōkū Hanohano Awards and a nomination for a GRAMMY® Award for a collaboration with fellow Hawai`i musician, Sean Na'auao.

Robi's multi-cultural, multi-lingual background is reflected in her musical range from; soft Hawaiian rhythms to funky reggae beats and American pop songs to Polynesian traditional songs with lyrics in English, Hawaiian, and Tahitian. As long as it feels good, as long as it's fun, she sings it in her unique way. Her effervescent personality shines through, thus making her a favorite vocalist who has toured and performed with many of Hawai'i's music legends, including the Iconic Makaha Sons and blessed with not one but two performances at Carnegie Hall. No doubt, "Sistah Robi" has held her spot as one of Hawai'i's most beloved and recognized voices for the past two decades.

Born and raised in Kihei, Maui, Kala’e Camarillo has been garnering acclaim since the release of his debut album in 2017. “Working Man” was nominated for a Na Hōkū Hanohano Award, recognizing him as one of Hawaii’s “Most Promising Artists.” His follow up album, “Feel at Home,” won the Na Hōkū Hanohano Award for Contemporary Acoustic Album of the Year in 2019, and in 2021, his single “Be Like You,” was nominated for Song of the Year and Single of the Year. In 2023, Kala’e’s third project was nominated for five awards: EP of The Year, Christmas Single of The Year, Favorite Entertainer of The Year, Song of The Year (Old Kihei), and Male Vocalist of the Year. Out of the five nominations, he took home two awards, for EP and Christmas Single.

Then, only two days after the devastating Lahaina fires, Kala'e wrote "Sands of Old Lahaina," which he performed at the “HiSessions Concert for Maui” disaster relief fundraising event. The heartfelt anthem went on to win three 2024 Hōkūs for Song of the Year, Music Video of the Year and Single of the Year, giving him a total of six Hoku Awards in just seven years. Kala’e is currently working on a new album with producer Imua Garza.

Modern Folk Rock/ Americana artist, Johnny Helm, is no stranger in the music scene in Hawaii. For over 30 years, he has had an active career as a local performer and has been nominated for three Na Hōkū Hanohano Awards. Johnny also works behind the scenes at Orange Pear Productions, where he has composed and scored multiple film projects and commercials. In 2020, he won an EMMY® Award for his score of the documentary, “Ka Huaka’i: The Journey to Merrie Monarch.”

In 2008, Johnny met and began writing with Jed Leiber, the son of legendary songwriter Jerry Leiber (of the famed writing team Leiber and Stoller). Their friendship continues to this day, and the songs that have been born out of their partnership have gained much acclaim. Johnny’s catalogue of recordings includes the single “Ride,” the title song of the feature film “The Ride” starring Ludacris, and “Christa’s Way,” the title song of the feature documentary “The Adventures of Super CW.” In 2023, he won the top prize in the Hawaii Songwriting Festival for his song, “Hat on My Head,” a tribute to his late father.

In addition to his performing, songwriting and scoring talents, Johnny also harbors sought after producing skills, and has produced many of Hawaii’s top local artists, including John Cruz, Tavana, Barry Flannigan and Jenny Yim.

August B. “Lopaka” Colón Jr. is an established percussionist and multi-Na Hōkū Hanohano award winner who integrates the teachings of his father into his unique and unmistakable style. Lopaka’s father, an original member of “Exotic Sounds of Martin Denny,” originated the legendary birdcalls that Lopaka now uses to augment his Latin influenced percussion. 

In the late 90’s, Lopaka's Afro-Cuban and Classical training led him to musical success in the band “Pure Heart,” one of Hawaii’s youngest musical groups of the day. Along with Jake Shimabukuro on ukulele and Jon Yamasato on vocals and guitar, Pure Heart is still considered one of the top Hawaiian musical groups of all time. In the early 2000’s, Pure Heart evolved into Colón, and both bands went on to win the People’s Choice Award at the Hōkūs as favorite entertainers of the year, two years in a row.

More recently, Lopaka has been a key component in the success of several local bands such as the Grammy-nominated “Wild Hawaiian” project with the Henry Kapono band, the Barefoot Natives (Uncle Willie K. & Eric Gilliom), living legends C&K, the Makana Trio (slack-key/world-fusion), the Waitiki 7 (Classic Exotica for modern listeners), and Don Tiki (Las Vegas type of an Exotica show band) just to name a few. Lopaka has also collaborated with Michael McDonald and Mick Fleetwood with his “Island Rumours” Band.

Jenny Yim was born and raised in Hawaiʻi, surrounded by music. Her father and his brother played music together, and she became inspired, making up songs immediately as a toddler, writing her first fully formed songs around the age of 6 or 7. Jenny has a full, husky tone to her singing voice that she effortlessly melds with a clear, high falsetto. It’s very much her own subtle indie sound and style.

Feeling blessed to be able to share her music, she has been significantly influenced by stories and things that people go through, their resolutions, and turning them into a song they can relate to…songs about feelings that are difficult to put into words. Her goal in life is to help people through her music and inspire people to be nicer to each other.