About the Show
Kanikapila, gathering together to play music, has been a well-loved traditional Hawaiian pastime. It’s these types of impromptu jam sessions that create an exceptionally rare evening on the islands. Maui’s musical treasure, Uncle Benny Uyetake, re-imagines Kanikapila evenings in Wailea with storytelling, and world-class music. Through the Aloha Music Series, Uncle Benny will introduce you to the new sounds from the islands and transport you to old Hawaiʻi as he hosts upcoming artists and Hawaiʻi’s legends. You never know who is gonna show up and kanikapila!
About the Artists
– BENNY UYETAKE –
Benny has played with some of the world’s finest musicians on Maui and while touring. Over the years Benny has shared the stage with some of Hawaiʻi’s greatest trailblazers like Uncle Willie K and Barry Flanagan of HAPA, as well as the world’s most talented jazz players Les McCann, Russel Malone, and Donald Harrison. His versatility comes from his years of musical study in different genres with mentors in classical, jazz, Hawaiian, Blues, and rock.
– TARVIN MAKIA –
Tarvin Makia (aka Mr. Wailea) is a multi-Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award Winner, and has nearly four decades of performing on Maui and touring around the world. Tarvin is known for his coroners voice and his specialty is Christmas songs.
– LOPAKA COLON –
Born in Hawaii, Lopaka Colón Jr. is an established percussionist and multi “Na Hoku Hanohano” award winner (Hawaii’s version of the Grammy’s). He’s the son of the famous percussionist Augie Colón, and has since a young age followed in his father steps – he attended the University of Hawaii for 6 years majoring in Ethnomusicology.
In the late 90’s, Lopaka was part of the successful Pure Heart band, rated in the top-50 Musical Groups of All Times of Hawaii and also one of Hawaii’s youngest musical groups ever to take the local music scene by storm in such a short period. The group later evolved into Colón (named in honor of Lopakaʻs father). Both bands won the People’s Choice award at the Hokuʻs as Favorite Entertainers of the Year for 2 years in a row. He has collaborated with majority of Hawaii’s top-notch musicians either doing studio work, live performances, or just having fun “Kanikapila”(musical jam).
Lopaka is a member of the Waitiki 7, in which he performs percussion and exotic birds and animals sounds, and he is also a key component in the success of several local bands like the Grammy-nominated Wild Hawaiian (a project with the Henry Kapono band), Po & the 4Fathers, the Barefoot Natives, the Makana trio, The Mana Maoli Collective, Don Tiki, to name a few. He has performed with many other Hawaii’s top musicians, including Mick Fleetwood’s Island Rumours Band and Michael McDonald.
– JAY MOLINA –
A veteran of the Maui music scene, vocalist/bass guitarist Jay Molina has performed with local bands such as Asian Blend, the jazz fusion group Music Magic, and The Ali’i’s, as well as with Henry Kapono and Loyal Garner. Jay tours and plays with his son Andrew who is one of Hawaiiʻs top ukulele players. They tour as a Father and Son duo and have played international ukulele Festivals all over the World.
