Album Links

Treasure II

Cool Elevation

Treasure

Home for the Holidays

Ho'okena 5

Ho'okamaha'o

Na Kai ‘Ewalu

Choice of the Heart

Thirst Quencher!



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Treasure II - Lei Pulamahia
“Lei Pulamahia” represents treasured songs that Ho‘okena has recorded over the years. Whether for places, people, events or emotions, these musical “lei” are worn with pride and shared with much aloha. As they approach their 20th Anniversary in 2006, this release in October 2005 marks a decade-and-a-half since their debut recording, “Thirst Quencher.” Ho‘okena, a district in South Kona, means “to satisfy thirst.”

This re-mix of Ho‘okena standards and originals breathes new life into mele considered favorites by group members. Featured are originals by Manu Boyd, Horace Dudoit, Anuenue Punua, Kihei de Silva, as well as classics by Keliana Bishaw, Henry Waia‘u and Lot Kauwe. Guest artists include Maila Gibson on “The Prayer” and Robert Uluwehi Cazimero on “Aloha Honaunau.”

Group members put full-time effort into their music and recording business, but each has his own career outside of the group. Members are Manu Boyd (leader), Horace K. Dudoit III, Chris Kamaka and Glen H.K. Smith

On the cover, Nani Dudoit – hula stylist and wife of Horace – wears strands of her favorite pikake, with golden lehua in her hair. Nani has been a part of Ho‘okena from day one, and is a former dancer with the Brothers Cazimero at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. Her unequalled hula performances, elegant demeanor and support are a treasure to the group.

A Little Ho‘okena History
Ho‘okena got started in 1986 and remains one of Hawaii’s longest-lasting Hawaiian Music group. With their most recent C.D. recording “Cool Elevation” (which was one of five entries to be nominated into the newly established Hawaiian Category at the “2005 Grammy Awards”), Ho‘okena maintains their high standards of vocal blend, clean instrumentations, intricate arrangements and fresh new compositions. Ho‘okena is respected in Hawaii and abroad as leaders in the Hawaiian music scene.

“Ho‘okena is a very unique and diverse group” says group leader Manu Boyd. Each of us has a responsibility in running our Record Company and Label “Ho‘omau Inc.”, which was created in 1987. In addition to our Music Company, we each maintain separate careers, which make our music time together fun, fresh and very therapeutic. Whether it’s playing for thousands of Hawaiian music lovers at a concert in Japan or the mainland, or just a rehearsal at someone’s house, playing music together is always rejuvenating.

Primary careers of Ho‘okena are: Boyd is a Public Information Director at the Office Of Hawaiian Affairs, Dudoit is a Mail Processing Clerk at the United States Postal Service, Kamaka is a Production Manager for his family-owned ukulele business, Kamaka Hawaii Inc., and Smith is a Production Controller at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard.

Nani Dudoit, Horace’s lovely wife, graces Ho‘okena’s stage with incomparable hula. A long-time student of Kumu Hula Leina‘ala Kalama Heine’s “Na Pualei O Likolehua”. She has performed with the Brother’s Cazimero since the late 70’s and exclusively with Ho’okena since the beginning. The mother of three boys, Hula Stylist extraordinaire Nani Dudoit is an Administrative Assistant for the “Literacy Enhancement Department” at Kamehameha Schools.

Nine Ho‘okena CD’s to-date: “Thirst Quencher” (1990), “Choice Of The Heart” (1991), “Na Kai ‘Ewalu” (1993), “Ho‘okamaha‘o” (1996), “Ho‘okena 5” (1999), “Home For The Holiday’s” (2000), “Treasure” (2001), “Cool Elevation” (2003) and "Treasure II - Lei Pulamahia", with a lot more to come in the future.

Over the years, Ho‘okena has garnered many Na Hoku Hanohano Awards (Hawaii’s version of the Grammy Awards), including Most Promising Artists, Group Of The Year, Hawaiian Album Of The Year, Haku Mele Hawaiian Composition, Best Hawaiian Performance, Christmas Album Of The Year, and more….

Traveling extensively throughout the mainland as well as Far East to Japan, and not to mention the neighboring islands, sharing their love of music, dance and culture which is truly Hawaiian!