Ho'okena

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!