And if maybe, just maybe, I’d be able to reach further than home.
“Although I love the music of my home, I always dreamed about what it would be like to pave another path and perform music that wasn’t expected of a Hawaiian girl like me. “Growing up a local Hawaiian kid, I always had a passion for music - but I was always under the impression that if I pursued it, I could only go as far as my backyard,” she said. A songbird from a young age, Keilana’s impressive vocal range is backed by her keen ability to craft alluring melodies. Inspired by R&B idols such as Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Aaliyah and Bruno Mars, Keilana has developed her own unique sound - a mix between classic R&B, neo-soul and alternative pop. Keilana’s true magic shines through in her daily live performances at Honolulu establishments including Hideout at The Laylow, MonkeyPod Kitchen, The Moana Surfrider and other locations.
“Writing for film and TV requires you to step out of yourself as an artist, whereas releasing music as an artist really requires you to hone your craft, find your niche, and stick to your ‘sound.’ ” “It’s been a super-cool journey delving into my abilities for film and TV, which I’m slowly learning are similar and different from my abilities as an artist,” Keilana said. “Queen Boss,” a hip-hop track, was featured in February on MTV’s “Ex on The Beach,” episode 2008. One of these, country-pop tune “Flying with The Ashes,” was co-written with Josh Jones, Patricia Bahia and Richard Harris, and featured on CMT’s hit show “Nashville,” episode 609. In addition to writing songs for companies such as FOX, MTV, Freeform, Disney and CMT, two of her pieces have been placed on national television shows. The 24-year-old Kamehameha grad began performing professionally at the age of 18, working as a session musician for the likes of Disney and various locally acclaimed artists. “My goal is to bridge the gap between mainstream music and music of Hawaii, without necessarily having to move away from home for good to do it.” “I’m a local girl born and raised in Kapolei, Oahu and I have big aspirations to change Hawaii’s music scene,” she said. Keilana’s warm smile and bubbly persona break through often as she performs. She’s fiercely devoted to her music, with an R&B-meets-pop sound bathed in a jazz glow. If you haven’t already heard Keilana Mokelehua, the rising singer-songwriter is quickly becoming a prominent staple in the local music scene. She leans completely into each live set, creating an alluring performance. She begins with a unique cover of “Meet Me in the Middle,” the hit recorded by Zedd, Maren Morris and Grey, flaunting elastic vocals, in contrast to her subtle hand gestures and closed eyes. Light laughter and friendly chatter fill the space as Honolulu-based artist Keilana sets up for her acoustic set.īar-goers don’t seem to notice the transition from playlist to live music - until Keilana’s rich vocals hit the mic.
Honolulu still has its fair share of latter-day kitsch, and that 1990s sensibility isn’t entirely gone, but thanks to locally grown creative minds, it’s evolving from the inside out.Ĭlick here to read the full article online.Playful flames from evening fire pits dance against vibrant wallpaper at the Laylow’s trendy bar and rooftop lounge in Waikiki. Makers & Tasters events attract happy foodies almost every night of the week, as does the Pig & the Lady (pictured), a Vietnamese fusion kitchen and cocktail bar. The Surfjack, a luxury boutique hotel in Waikiki, features works by Pow! Wow! artists. The once desolate hood now bustles with small businesses, and the cadre of artists and musicians who transformed it is making Honolulu a destination for more than just the standard sun seekers. As the brand has grown (there have been Pow! Wow! festivals in half a dozen cities around the world), so too has Kaka’ako. Here’s what he had to say:Īsk any local creative and they’ll tell you the art and music scene in Honolulu was stuck in 1990s over-drive until 2011, when artists Jasper Wong and Kamea Hadar discovered Kaka’ako, a forgotten industrial district between the city’s downtown and Waikiki neighborhoods, and set to work building a Hawaii outpost for Wong’s Pow! Wow! art festival.
Playboy editor Adam Skolnick thinks the Surfjack’s the spot to hang in Hawaii this summer. Back to Press Releases Playboy | AugHipster Hawaii: Honolulu’s Art and Music Scene Evolves Today Honolulu is a destination for more than just the standard sun seekers.