Hawaiian band for weddings, luaus, parties, corporate events, public and private.
Drawing inspiration from the roots of traditional Hawaiian music and contemporary artists such as HAPA, Keali’i Reichel, Barefoot Natives, and Te Vaka, the luscious multicultural sounds of Ha’ena resonate as a new generation of classically trained contemporary Hawaiian musicians.
Be the first to review Ha'ena - Contemporary Hawaiian Music
Price Range: Contact for rates
Gig Length: 30 - 240 minutes
Ha'ena is a 4-piece band comprised of two acoustic guitars, 3 vocalists, and a percussionist. Ha'ena performs songs by HAPA, Keali'i Reichel, Justin Young, Makaha Sons, Na Palapalai, Te Vaka, Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom, IZ Kamakawiwo'ole, Nathan Aweau, Jason Mraz, and others.
We like to mix it up from traditional to more contemporary Hawaiian standards rich in vocal harmonies and interwoven guitar melodies.
Ha'ena has opened twice for HAPA, The Makaha Sons, Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom, Darlene Ahuna, and Na Palapalai. The band has performed for audiences of up to 1,000 people and performs regularly throughout Southern Oregon and will be returning home to Hawaii for the month of January 2015!
Ha’ena officially formed in 2009 in Ashland, Oregon. Drawing inspiration from the roots of traditional Hawaiian standards as well as contemporary artists such as HAPA, Keali’i Reichel, Barefoot Natives, and Te Vaka, the luscious multicultural sounds of Ha’ena resonate as a new generation of classically trained contemporary Hawaiian musicians.
Its members, now graduates of Southern Oregon University, found each other as many “Hawaiians” do--through friendships that kindle the familiar spirit of aloha...the islands...of home. Three of the four members in the group grew up in Hawaii, residing on Oahu and Maui while soaking in all of its music, dance, and rich culture. The newest addition to Ha’ena, percussionist and Portland native Reed Bentley says, “I consider myself fortunate to have found these wonderful friends and to not only be introduced, but immersed into the fascinating Hawaiian culture and it’s beautiful music.”
Starting from the seedlings of late night dorm room jam sessions, guitarist and vocalist Kekaiolohia Enomoto and lead guitarist Stephan Kane blossomed as a powerful and dynamic guitar and vocal duo, each contributing their own personal influences and styles ranging from alternative, reggae, pop, rock, slack key to classical. “Playing with Steve-o has inspired me to be a better musician” says Enomoto. “Haha, I would say the same thing about Kekai” replied Kane. In search of a vocalist for an upcoming Hawai’i Club Lu’au production, the two caught wind of a girl from Hawaii that was studying classical voice and opera in the music department. Steve approached vocalist Jennifer Matsuura after a choir rehearsal and the jam session grew. “We really just got together to play music because it felt like home. We had become each others’ family, and the music was so comforting...” says Matsuura.
In the fall of 2009 the jam session between friends adopted the name “Ha’ena” as well as Reed, the fourth member of the group. Word of mouth success led to frequent performances at Tease Restaurant, where a loyal fan base of hula dancers led to the collaboration of Ha’ena and Ashland’s Hula Hui, Ka Pi’o Ke Anuenue under the direction of Andrea Luchese. In the spring of 2010, this collaboration of live music and dance serendipitously led to the opportunity to share the stage with and open for one of Ha’ena’s biggest influences, HAPA.
Ha’ena has since been repeatedly contracted to perform at the Rogue Valley Manor’s Annual King Kamehameha Day Lu’au, the SOU Ho’opa’a Hawaii Club Lu’au, as well as the 2010 Umpqua Hula and the Arts Festival in Roseburg, Oregon. Other appearances include Grass Shack Cafe, Tease, the Avalon Bar and Grill, Seven Feathers, and Ashland’s Fourth of July Parade.
We take song requests!
Akaka Falls-----------------------------------------HAPA
Anjuli------------------------------------------------HAPA
At Last----------------------------------------------Etta James
Chant of the Islands-------------------------------Fiji
Drop Baby Drop-----------------------------------Mana'o Company
E Ala E----------------------------------------------Pualani Kanahele
E Hele Ana E---------------------------------------HAPA
E Ho’i I Ka Pili--------------------------------------Keali'I Reichel
E Kailua E------------------------------------------Justin Young
E O Mai---------------------------------------------Keali'I Reichel
Green Rose Hula----------------------------------Johnny Alameid
Guave Jelly----------------------------------------Bob Marley
Haleakala------------------------------------------HAPA
Haleakala Ku Hanohano--------------------------HAPA
Hanalei Moon--------------------------------------Bob Nelson
Hanohano Ka Lei Pikake--------------------------Keali'I Reichel
Happy Days/Get Happy--------------------------Barbara Streisand / Judy Garland
Hawaiian Lullaby----------------------------------Peter Moon
Hawaiian Style-------------------------------------Hawaiian Style Band
He Lei No Manoalani------------------------------Justin Young
Hei Iti Vaihi-----------------------------------------HAPA
Hi’ilawe---------------------------------------------HAPA
I Won’t Give Up-----------------------------------Jason Mraz
I’m Yours-------------------------------------------Jason Mraz
In The Summertime--------------------------------Emily Elbert
Ka Ipo Lei Manu-----------------------------------Queen Kapiʻolani
Ka Manu / Manu O’o------------------------------Na Palapalai
Ka Ulu Wehi O Kekai------------------------------HAPA
Kahea U’ilani---------------------------------------HAPA
Kauanoeanuhea------------------------------------Keali'I Reichel
Kawaipunahele-------------------------------------Keali'I Reichel -
Ki Mua-----------------------------------------------Te Vaka
Kipahulu---------------------------------------------Amy Hanaiali'I Gilliom
Ku’u Home O Kahalu’u----------------------------HAPA
Ku’u Lei Awapuhi-----------------------------------HAPA
La’ieikawai------------------------------------------Hoku Zuttermeister
Laka-------------------------------------------------From "Ulalena"
Leavin on a Jet Plane------------------------------John Denver
Lei Ho’oheno----------------------------------------Weldon Kekauohe
Lei Manoa-------------------------------------------HAPA
Lei Pikake-------------------------------------------HAPA
Let's Stay Together---------------------------------Al Green
Little Grass Shack----------------------------------Bill Cogswell
Little Grass Shack----------------------------------Johnny Noble
Mahinahina------------------------------------------Nathan Aweau
Malamamau-----------------------------------------Amy Hanaiali'I Gilliom
Maunaleo--------------------------------------------Keali'I Reichel
Mele Ohana-----------------------------------------Keali'I Reichel
Mele Pa’ihi Kupuna--------------------------------Kaumakaiwa Kanaka'ole
Mo’i O Li’li’u----------------------------------------HAPA
My Yellow Ginger Lei------------------------------John Kaonohiokala Keawehawaii
Nakulukulu------------------------------------------Kaumakaiwa Kanaka'ole
Nani Ahiahi-----------------------------------------Kaumakaiwa Kanaka'ole
No Ke Ano Ahiahi----------------------------------Robi Kahakalau
One Foot On Sand--------------------------------Justin Young
Palehua--------------------------------------------Amy Hanaiali'I Gilliom
Papa E---------------------------------------------HAPA
Papalina Lahilahi----------------------------------Traditional
Pule O’o-------------------------------------------Justin Young
Somewhere Over The Rainbow------------------Izrael Kamakawiwo'ole
Stand By Me--------------------------------------Ben E. King
To Make You Feel My Love----------------------Bob Dylan
Ulupalakua----------------------------------------John P. Watkins
Wahine Ilikea--------------------------------------Dennis Kamakahi
Wanting Memories--------------------------------Beatles
White Sandy Beach-------------------------------Izrael Kamakawiwo'ole
| Kekai Enomoto | Vocals - Guitar |
| Jennifer Matsuura | Vocals |
| Stephan Kane | Guitar - Vocals |
| Reed Bentley | Cajon - Percussion |
HAPA, Barry Flanagan, Nathan Aweau, Keali'i Reichel, Ulalena, Na Palapalai, Makaha Sons, Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom, Justin Young, John Cruz, Jeff Peterson
PA System preferred but not required.
Bremerton, WA 
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