Where I Lay



Maui will always be home for me. Though I do not claim any ownership or possession to the island, I do feel that I am a part of it. It's in the little things that make it beautiful: the way all the bumps and dips on Ōma'opio road feel, the perfect density of Jack's Inn's dry-mein noodles, how we say alunka and not humbalah. This is what Maui is made of. These are the lights at the end of the tunnel that one day I will return.  

On that note, going back is always bittersweet because no matter how long I stay I know that it's finite. I think it's a way of my soul telling me that it's not time to rest yet and I still have a lot to see and do. When I do go back I almost always become a recluse, save for family and a few friends. I enjoy the opportunity to reflect on where I am in my life and always surprised how each time I go back I am a little farther away it. For me, it's a healthy shift and helps me reevaluate myself. 


The last time I was on Maui was at the turn of the 2016. It was refreshing to reconnect with my family and friends, the island itself, and my playing. One of the things I had been meaning to do for some time was to redo some of my graphics by the hands of my parents. I've always loved the aesthetic of sumi-e ink brush painting and the beauty that it stands for. So I asked both my folks to help create a new logo in the style with their personal touch. The aim was on simplicity, fluidity, and intent (just as the form asks). Rice paper lined the floor with different iterations of both the ensō (circle) and the text. We ended with the ensō painted by my dad and the text from my mom. With the final touches by my oldest friend Jesse, the logo was updated and posted earlier today. I love that it is now handmade by people so important in my life. It's a symbol I can say truly represents what I am trying to do with my life. Thanks for the great job guys!

With the room cleared the next day I decided to record some songs I had been working on. With my crude set up, I recorded a few tunes and with little to no satisfaction with my performance. In a mixture of frustration and disappointment, I realized my expectations were what was holding me back. I had separated myself from my playing to the point of feeling like I was observing myself from above. I had clouded myself from expression, cheating the songs out of the justice they deserved.

Before recording, I usually like to meditate on the intent of the piece and what I want to convey in the recording.  So right before closing shop, I took a deep breath in and told myself to just play. To remember the finer points of what my home really is, what it means to me, and the way it should sound. I took another deep breath, hit record, and came up with this:



Earlier I had named the session under Where I Lay as a nod to my home Maui and thought it was an appropriate name for the performance. After all, it is where my life began and where I hope I will return to someday to spend the eve of my life.

Thank you for listening and I hope this song brings you solace as it has brought me.


Cat's Out The Bag



One of the biggest musical shifts I've made was revisiting and focusing on my 'ukulele playing. It was somewhat of a "back to basics" endeavor since the 'ukulele was where I began my musical journey. Though I have still been playing all these years and working in 'ukulele shops, my musical interests led me to the guitar after I fled the nest and hence my shift in focus. Full circling I've returned to the 'ukulele and started putting in the time I needed to help define and sort out my playing.

To me playing the 'ukulele is not just about technique and skill but it also takes a certain mentality. I feel the contemporary player needs to be able to call upon the greats yet still have a voice of their own. If we explore the history and subtleties of the instrument we can begin to understand what makes an 'ukulele sound great. That being said it's easy to sound good on the 'ukulele but hard to sound great.

I wanted to find a voice through the 'ukulele.

And while I know that will be a task I will be pursuing for the rest of my life I came to the realization that I shouldn't let my determination stand in the way of creation. This life is to short to be too scared to throw the first punch, to wait for perfection, or ultimately let ego dictate our actions.

We must create.

So when Milo Fultz approached me to put together a group and record some videos I took it as a sign to seize the initiative.  Alongside Merlin Showalter on percussion we got together and worked up a few tunes. These guys were phenomenal to work with not just musically but professionally as well. Stand up gentleman with exceeding talent both in their instruments and in composition. Truly an inspiration and a great way fan the already burning flame.


Behind the scenes at Pacific Winds Music. LR: Merlin Showalter, Milo Fultz, Nathan Alef

Working with a small crew we filmed three songs at Pacific Winds Music. The choices were very personal to me and I wanted to share some of the inspiration for choosing these tunes.

Cat's Out the Bag
One afternoon I came home from teaching with a feeling like I conquered the world (a residual side effect of teaching wonderful students). I decided I would use my inspiration as fuel to practice so I sat down with my 'ukulele and spiritedly began tapping my foot. The song sort of wrote itself and I was so lucky to grab it. Taking it to Milo and Merlin we directed it a little more and shaped into a concise tune. I wanted to portray the feeling of triumph and the beauty of a strong resolve. This was a tipping point for me as I had written the tune in pure expression, unafraid and unadulterated of how the world might judge it.

My Cherie Amour
It's hard not to love this song as it is a great example of the genius of Stevie Wonder. We wanted to stick to the tune and let Stevie's songwriting do the talking. As a favorite of my mothers, it was one of those songs that always floated around the house as I was growing up. I picture sitting in my parents kitchen in Kula, Maui with sky on fire with the sunset. Breathing it all in with My Cherie Amour in the background . . . these are how clichés are made.

Fly Me to the Moon
It was the first jazz standard that I learned how to play and it holds a special place in my heart because of it. I remember listening to it as a kid off of the Neon Genesis Evangelion soundtrack and being completely intoxicated and mystified by the recording. At the time jazz was still very foreign to me so the mixture of the instrumentation and arrangement was all new and exciting. It led me down the path of searching for more versions and the beginning of my love for the genre. So in tradition I wanted to contribute my rendition of the tune.

I am excited for what sits on the horizon and what this year will bring. With any luck it will be filled with music and more 'ukulele playing for me.

A big mahalo to all the hard working hands who made this possible. Nathan Alef, Mason Kline, Merlin Showalter, Milo Fultz, and Pacific Winds Music! It wouldn't have been possible without you and words cant express my gratitude. Thank you.

With a Single Step

Due to personal changes in my life, I have decided to leave Eugene in the coming week. It truly has been a wonderful ride and a rich and full experience living in Oregon. I have made wonderful lifelong friends, explored a world I have never seen before, and most of all got the chance to grow in ways that I would never have expected. While at times it's been challenging and trying, I relish in the beautiful moments and keep in mind that while one door closes another opens.

I have decided to continue the next step in my life with some traveling. Luckily I do have friends peppered through the west coast so I am now on a quest to find a new place to roost. I am slowly letting go of more and more of my material things in an effort to help liberate myself not only physically but spiritually too. It's time for me to redefine and rejuvenate. I will posting pictures and parts of my travels here. So far my plan is Hawai'i for the holidays, LA, Austin, and then Seattle. I think that gives me a pretty good survey to get started.

For those who have been taking lessons or who are interested, I will be starting up Skype lessons within the next couple of months. So please let me know if you are interested so I have a better idea of the level of interest. 

So thank you to all you good people who have been nothing but supportive and warm. It makes leaving that much harder. Though I do intend to be spending more time in the future in Oregon. Currently working on plans for the upcoming summer . . .

So let the journey begin! I feel invigorated and inspired to what the world will bring next. I truly do feel that we must be what we want to see in the world. Be the change you are seeking. (Manifest the words I am speaking? :P)

Happy Holidays!

1st Year Off the Islands

A year ago to date both Ali and I packed up our last of our things, said goodbye to our friends and families, and moved over to Eugene, Or. It has been quite a year and a journey to say the least. Moving from Maui to 'Oahu was easy: I had a bunch a friends moving with me and virtually most of my family being less than an hour drive away. Moving to Eugene was different not only because I literally knew only one person in town, but also I was now surrounded by different cultures that I wasn't fully used to. Ironically, I really felt like a tourist.

As time progressed I became more and more at peace with myself and found I had something I haven't had in a long time: silence. Silence in the mind to work out thoughts and ideas that had become dormant due to running around gigging, working at the shop, going to school, and teaching. I've had the time to wander, physically and mentally, and to shake off some of the dust that had been accumulated.

Though I haven't been gigging nearly as much as I used to, I have been working at home setting up my basic studio and working on recordings with Logic. Though the material I have been writing is still at it's infant stage, I hope to have new material out in the months to come. I also have had the pleasure of working with beat maker Scott Ohtoro on some new projects he has been producing. While we will see most of the releases later on in the year, here is one that came out earlier this month which features artist Montclaire on vocals. 



If I am out performing it is usually with the Hawaiian, jazz, and blues group Olekona. We've been doing some gigs around town and an ep in on the way. I really enjoy playing with this group of people and the occasional "geek out sessions" on Derek Trucks. I will post future gigs here and on our website (almost done!). Here is us at the kickoff for the Uketoberfest last year (we have grown since then!).

Myself, Maggie Matoba, and Matthew Riley

I also have been teaching and working in partnership with local Eugene music shop Pacific Winds Music. Though originally with a focus on band instruments and repair, Pacific Winds has opened up half the store with 'ukuleles. It has been an honor and privilege to spread the word of the 'ukulele with these folks. To me working at Pacific Winds Music and meeting more of the 'ukulele community here embodies an important part of the spirit of Eugene: Genuine and honest, unpretentious and welcoming. While I cant speak on behalf of everyone here, I enjoy the fact that the people directly in my life and what I do day in and day out reminds me of just that.

Since moving I have met many wonderful and inspiring people that have been a great source of motivation and inspiration. I know that without the support of my family and friends I would have never made it this far. Thank you for that and I look forward to another adventure filled year.