Bio
 
Halemanu is a Kanaka Maoli (indigenous person of Hawaii) whose family heritage in the islands is traced back over 800 years. For centuries the Hawaiian culture did not have a formal writing system in place. They would pass on their history orally, through chants, and stories. Similarly, Halemanu first learned music by listening and imitating what he heard.

As a musician and producer, Halemanu has worked with icons in the music and media industries such as: Oprah Winfrey, Mega Producer Bob Rock, Willie Nelson, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Michael McDonald, Lucas Nelson, Gayle King, Ralph MacDonald, and many others. His work has been heard across the US as well as internationally.

His first CD “Sounds Like Hale” released in 2009, paid tribute to the music he grew up listening to in the islands. With the encouragement of fans and followers, he is releasing a new CD for 2015.

Halemanu first picked up the ukulele when he was 5 years old. He was inspired and encouraged to play by his dad who was playing Hawaiian music as well as popular music from the 50’s - 80’s. During this time he began performing on stage for local events, talent shows, and parties. His curiosity about the technical side of music production also began at this early stage.

After performing for many years, Halemanu devoted his time to studying music theory with world famous music educator Dick Grove, founder of The Dick Grove School of Music and School without Walls Program. Eventually he moved to Los Angeles to study guitar and recording engineering at Musicians Institute in Hollywood, CA. He has studied guitar with Jamie Findlay, Scott Henderson, Sid Jacobs, and Norman Brown to name a few.

Halemanu is a sought after music producer and musician. He performs regularly and has done over 6000 live and studio performances through out Hawaii, North America, and Japan. He is an accomplished vocalist, ukulele player, and guitarist who works as soloist or with his band Halemanu and the Hui. He has also engineered and produced hundreds of musical and media projects that have appeared in the US and abroad.