This Sunday, Hulu Kupuna Productions and Mountain Apple Company Hawaii, present multi-award winning musician, Mark Yamanaka and the husband and wife duo, Kupaoa for two shows at Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo. The three talented recording artists will perform songs
This Sunday, Hulu Kupuna Productions and Mountain Apple Company Hawaii, present multi-award winning musician, Mark Yamanaka and the husband and wife duo, Kupaoa for two shows at Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo. The three talented recording artists will perform songs from their latest album of holiday songs, “A Gift of the Heart.”
Yamanaka and Kupaoa come together for a unique holiday collection of eclectic Christmas classics and new original songs in this latest holiday release. Joining forces to create an album of inspiring Christmas songs, the three friends joyfully share their talent and sense of fun in what they say is truly a gift from their hearts.
Born and raised in Hilo, Yamanaka is known for his falsetto singing and Hawaii Island-style playing. With two albums recorded, Yamanaka heralds an impressive list of awards in the Hawaii recording industry that include, Most Promising Artist of the Year (2011), Male Vocalist of the year (2011 and 2014), Song of the Year (2011), Album of the Year (2011 and 2014), Hawaiian Album of the Year (2014), and Single of the Year (2014).
It’s been said that Yamanaka’s yodeling would make even Roy Rogers jealous. In 2013, Yamanaka released his first single, “Maui Under Moonlight,” as well as his solo album “Lei Maile,” which reached No. 9 on the World Albums Chart. The album and single received 10 nominations at the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards, more than any other artist that year. Yamanaka won five categories, including Album of the Year and Hawaiian Music Album of the Year. Today, he tours the United States and Japan with his band members Bert Naihe, on acoustic guitar, and Eddie Atkins, on bass.
Yamanaka met Kellen and Lihau Paik, who make up the husband and wife duo, Kupaoa, and became close friends.
“We met years ago and over the years we became very good friends,” said Lihau. “We’re both represented by the same record label and I think that’s one of the reasons our friendship has grown and deepened over the years. We have a good time just hanging out together and the album was a good excuse to do that. It was a project that we came up with for fun at first, and then it turned kind of serious. It’s a holiday album with a lot of original songs. Usually, we listen to the same songs during the holidays every year, and we wanted to add in our own flavor to this album. So out of the 13 tracks, nine of them are brand new songs.”
The Paiks have been performing as the duet, Kupaoa, for about 10 years. Residents of Kauai, the pair received multiple Na Hoku Hanohano awards for their four CDs including Most Promising Artist (2009), Best Liner Notes (2010), Island Music Album of the Year (2014), and Best Hawaiian Language Performance (2014). Lifelong students of Hawaiian language, the husband and wife team compose and perform original songs, in addition to favorite classics.
Their passion and love for Hawaiian music and language influences their creativity and shines through in the music they create together. The word Kupaoa describes a lasting, permeating fragrance and it is the duo’s wish that their music remains in the hearts and minds of their audience, long after they experience their performances.
The three friends are excited to perform together at Imiloa Astronomy Center in Yamanaka’s home town of Hilo. The show will be hosted by Alakai Paleka from KAPA Radio.
“We’re having two shows, a lunchtime show and a dinner show with an all you can eat buffet,” Yamanaka said of the 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. concerts. “The audience will get to hear Kupaoa who don’t get to Hilo often. We’re going to have a little Kupaoa concert and then a Mark Yamanaka concert separately performing some of the popular songs we recorded separately. In the end we’re coming together to do the Christmas set.”
“We are also bringing some of our hula dancers over from Honolulu,” said Lihau. “It will be a great festive event to celebrate the season, so bring your appetites and Christmas cheer and come hang out with us.”
Doors open at 11 for the 11:30 a.m. show, and 5 for the 5:30 p.m. show. Tickets are $35 presale, and $45 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at Aiona Car Sales, Hilo Style, and Music Exchange Hilo.
Yamanaka will also offer a free holiday concert at 5 p.m. Dec. 13 at Emma’s Square in Kailua Village. The concert takes place amid the Kokua Kailua Village Stroll from 1 to 6 p.m. and precedes a lighted boat parade in Kailua Bay.
Info: www.kupaoa.com, www.markyamanaka.com and www.mountainapplecompany.com.
