Kolohe Kai

Last updated

Kolohe Kai
Origin Oahu, Hawaii, U.S.
Genres
Years active2009–present
LabelsGO Aloha Entertainment, R K D Inc.
Members
  • Roman De Peralta (lead singer)
  • Jasmine Moikeha (vocals)
  • Kolomona Ku (keyboard and saxophone)
  • Luke Daddario (drummer)
  • Imua Garza (guitar)
  • Kahale Morales (bass)
Website www.kolohekaimusic.com

Kolohe Kai is a Hawaiian reggae pop musical group formed in 2009 by singer-songwriter Roman De Peralta.

Contents

Kolohe Kai consists of De Peralta, Jasmine Moikeha (vocals), Kolomona Ku (keyboard and saxophone), Luke Daddario (drummer), Imua Garza (guitar), and Kahale Morales (bass guitar).

History

Circa 2006 in Oahu, the band members met in their high school Polynesian music class. After performing in local talent shows, 17-year-old Roman De Peralta signed with a record label followed by the rest of the band. [1] [2] De Peralta explains the band's name: Kolohe means "rascal", which his family called him as a child, while Kai means "ocean" or "saltwater". [1]

The group's 2009 debut album was This is the Life, and their 2011 follow-up album was Love Town. [3] Successful singles included "Cool Down" and "Ehu Girl". Their 2014 album Paradise reached third place on Billboard magazine's Reggae Album chart. [4]

In 2019, Kolohe Kai released their fourth album, Summer To Winter, [5] which reached number one on Billboard's Reggae Album chart. [6]

Musical style and influences

Kolohe Kai's musical style is generally described as reggae. [1] [7] Their sound has been characterized as Hawaiian-inflected reggae [1] and Pacific Island reggae, infusing "the localism of ukulele music with rhythms of roots reggae." [8] Their more recent material shows flavors of pop and R&B. [8]

De Peralta has cited Hawaiian reggae band Ekolu, Fijian musician George Veikoso a.k.a. Fiji, and Boyz II Men as influences. [1] They have also been influenced by reggae rock band Rebelution. [8]

Discography

Albums

Studio albums

  • This is the Life (2009)
  • Love Town (2011)
  • Paradise (2014)
  • Summer to Winter (2019)
  • Hazel Eyes (2022)

Live albums

  • Live Album 10th Anniversary (2021)

Compilation albums

  • Best of Kolohe Kai (Acoustic) (2021)

Extended plays

  • This Is the Life (Acoustic Remix EP) (2013)
  • Love Town (Acoustic Remix EP) (2013)

Singles

Compilation appearances

Awards

AwardYear [a] Recipient(s)CategoryResultRef.
Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards 2013ParadiseReggae Album of the YearWon [2]
Island Music Awards 2019Summer to WinterReggae Album of the YearWon

Notes

  1. Indicates the year of ceremony.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Hamlin, Andrew (September 1, 2022). "Kolohe Kai: Reggae vibes by way of Hawaii". Northwest Asian Weekly. Archived from the original on September 5, 2022. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  2. 1 2 Kubota, Gary (August 18, 2022). ""Hazel Eyes Tour" expands, deepens fan base for Hawai'i's Kolohe Kai". Maui Now. Archived from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  3. "Love Town - Kolohe Kai | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic.
  4. "Kolohe Kai | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  5. "Summer to Winter - Kolohe Kai | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic.
  6. "Reggae Albums Chart". Billboard. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  7. Motion, Samantha (January 28, 2019). "Stan Walker and UB40 stand outs of One Love festival at Tauranga Domain". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on October 22, 2020. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  8. 1 2 3 Symone, Kelly (September 22, 2022). "Studio 40 Live: Kolohe Kai". FOX40. Archived from the original on September 22, 2022. Retrieved April 21, 2023.