Haopinaka - FREE

HAOPINAKA was formed in 1998 when three friends from different backgrounds came together to share their love of Hawaiian music. The name “HAOPINAKA” is a combination of the words HAO-le (white guy), PI-noy (Filipino guy), and ka-NAKA (Hawaiian guy). And it is this unique friendship of cultures and styles that creates the sweet and lively sound of HAOPINAKA. Peter, our haole, plays Hawaiian steel guitar, ukulele and bass. He also performs and records with many Nā Hōkū Award-winning musicians including Steve Maii, Greg Sardinha, and Bobby Black. Sil, our pinoy, plays guitar and ukulele. He played with Tennyson Lum and many other well-known Hawaiian artists. Rod, our kanaka, plays bass, guitar, and ukulele. Hailing from Waianae, Oahu, Rod has been playing all his life with musicians in Hawaii and here on the mainland. And since 2014, we have been joined on ukulele by Vanessa Alputila, the "Songbird of the Islands," from Ambon Island, Indonesia.