Kūikawā Music

"Aloha nui kākou e nā hoa makamaka o kō Hawai‘i pae ʻāina a me nā hoa i aloha i nēia ‘āina pü kekahi. Our kūpuna, ancestors, progenitors of these lands have left great wisdoms and lessons for us living today to follow. One of these great wisdoms is to kū; to stand up for what is right and challenge the wrong being done to our land and place; kū; to be anchored in the knowledge of the past so that we may perpetuate this knowledge into today; and kū; to achieve our greatest potential so that we may be an example for those who come after us. On this, their debut album, Kūikawā would like to express the importance of acknowledging and learning from ka wā ma mua (the past) to ensure a productive wā ma hope (future). Also, the importance to kū (be anchored) in ka wā ma mua (the past) to guide one’s path and conduct in ka wā e kū nei (the present). Formed in 2016 through the Institute of Hawaiian Music at the University of Hawai‘i Maui College, this trio of talented young men share their love and passion for Hawaiian music. Each of them born and raised on the island of Maui have a deep love, appreciation and kuleana (privilege) to this place they call home. The songs on this album convey the numerous ways each of them connect to Maui Nui. Allow nā leo nahenahe of this trio; Lukela Kanae, Joshua Kulhavy-Sutherland and Koakāne Mattos to transport your mind; influence your emotions; and kū i kou na‘au (strike a chord in your soul) with their music."