East Side Jam

Tavana - Lap Steel Guitar /  Acoustic Guitar / ʻUkulele / Vocals

With grand vocals, captivating musicianship and unbridled passion, native Sāmoan artist Tavana has stayed true to himself and his music throughout his career, carving a unique path to popularity and his current position as one of Hawaii’s most beloved entertainers and artists.

Kawika Kahiapo - Acoustic Guitar / Vocals

Native Hawaiian artist Kawika Kahiapo blends traditional kī hō‘alu, sweet yet bold singing and contemporary sensibilities into a distinctive sound that has earned him a multitude of awards (incl Slack Key Album of the Year, Island Music Album of the Year and Anthology Album of the Year) and made him a sought-after recording artist, collaborator and live performer throughout Hawai‘i and beyond. Kahiapo’s guitar playing is stellar as featured on recordings with Jack Johnson and Eddie Vedder and his knowledge base immense thanks to years of playing as a band leader, collaborator and padawan with a wide range of great artists - Gabby Pahinui, Palani Vaughn, Kulāiwi, Kaukahi, Melveen Leed, Na Leo Pilimehana, Cyril Pahinui, Amy Gilliom and many more.
 

Kawika Kahiapo - List of Awards

2010 Contributor to Grammy-Award-Winning album “Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key” (Hawaiian Music Album of the Year)

Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards

(1) 2007 Solo - Slack Key Artist of the Year

(3) 2007 with Kaukahi - Group of the Year, Song of the Year (Kawikaʻs “Life in These Islands”), Album Design of the Year

(2) 2015 Solo - Slack Key Album of the Year ("Ho'omaluhia") and Island Music Album of the Year (“Ku'u 'Āina Aloha")

(4) 2022 with Kulāiwi - Group of the Year, Album of the Year, and Hawaiian Music Album of the Year, Hawaiian Engineering of the Year

(1) 2025 Solo - Anthology Album of the Year (“Ku`u Mana`o”)

Ryan Perez - ‘Ukulele / Vocals

Thanks to his work with Henry Kapono, HiSessions and others, Kailua artist Ryan Perez stepped into the spotlight across Hawaiʻi in 2025 elevating all within earshot. His wonderful voice is big yet inviting, and his playing and vocal cadences hit hard. Even better, his musicianship and spirit reflect the kanikapila culture of the east side - communal, authentic, and grounded in tradition while looking forward.

Asaiah Scott - Electric Guitar / Acoustic Guitar / Bass / Vocals

Asaiah Scott (aka the MAADKiNG) is a born and raised Windward O‘ahu multi-instrumentalist, honeysuckle vocalist and accomplished producer who is developing a loyal fanbase as a frontperson while continuing to support a wide range of artists and projects. His current and past work includes recordings and/or performances with Maoli, Irie Love, The Vitals 808 and Paul Izak. The son of wildly talented musician Boogie, Asaiah Scott has been immersed in music and east side culture his entire life and represents a new generation of east side artists carrying the east side torch forward in fantastic fashion.

Sam Ites - Drums / Hand Percussion / Vocals

Serving as the backbone and backbeat of East Side Jam, Waimanalo artist Sam Ites has earned legendary status amongst musicians and fans, propelling Hawaii’s top reggae and roots artists for decades with his positive, infectious rhythms. A current member of Natural Vibrations and product of a musical family, Ites has done extensive touring and recording with Mike Love, Tavana and Paul Izak and also worked with The Green, Chaka Demus & Pliers, The Abyssinians and Rebel Souljahz. His ever-presence in the Hawaiʻi music scene is a testament to both his talent and spirit.