Da Hui

Mike Kiese was born and raised in Hawai'i.  He sings and plays Hawaiian Steel Guitar, Electric Guitar, Ukulele, Bass, and Saxophone (his first instrument).  Mike is a professional musician who has experience playing many genres of music to include Jazz, Classical, Blues, R&B, Rock, Country, Western Swing, and of course, HAWAIIAN MUSIC, the beloved music of his home.

Mike has traveled the world, performing music in Hawaii, Japan, Nashville, Memphis, Kansas City, Phoenix, Tucson, and Los Angeles.  

Mike is a US Army Veteran of the Afghanistan War, Operation Enduring Freedom.  He proudly served with the 101st Airborne Division.  

Hometown:

Pearl City, Hawaii on the island of O'ahu

Pearl City High School Graduate c/o '99

Notable Performances:
0 Ceremonial and Entertainment performances for President Obama

o NBC's "Today Show" with Lester Holt playing Bass

o NFL Halftime Show with the Tennessee Titans

o Nashville Symphony

o 4 half time shows for the NFL Pro Bowl

Mike would like to acknowledge and thank the following people:
o Suzie Kiese, my wife, someone who has chosen to share her life journey with me.

o Wayne Kawahara (deceased), my very first music teacher who's unyielding positivity, support, and encouragement has made a huge difference in my life, especially at a time when I really needed it.

o Pat Bergeson, my great friend and mentor who took me under his wing and taught me a lot about music and guitar.  Never faltering to share all of his knowledge, even the stuff that Chet Atkins personally showed him.  You were a direly needed friend and mentor to me at a very challenging time in my life.  Thank you.

o Bobby Ingano, a wonderful friend and mentor who gave an extremely strong foundation when I decided to seriously learn Hawaiian Steel guitar in May of 2023.  No secrets, no BS, just 100% Aloha.  Bobby is a true steward of not only the Hawaiian Steel Guitar, but also Hawaiian music.  Bobby continues to guide and coach me to this day.  Mahalo nui loa, Uncle Bobby!

o Craig Wagner, another wonderful friend whose handful of private lessons catapulted my learning of music and guitar playing.  

o Doug Jernigan, a modern day master of steel guitar and jazz.  No secrets, just 100% transparency and WORK!  Doug points you in the right direction and then coaches you on how to get there.

o Wendley "Bert" Kekauoha, last but certainly not least.  Mahalo nui loa, Uncle Bert.  You are proof that an angel will be sent into your life when you really need one.  Meeting you has made my musical journey come full circle.  To me, you are the heart and soul of what it means to be "Made in Hawaii".  My exposure to you and your musical repertoire and songwriting has brought me home both personally and musically.  Life's long journey has honed my musical skills and given me deep knowledge and understanding of HOW to play music.  Playing with you constantly reminds me of WHY one should play music, which I lost along the way when music became my job and profession.  "WHY" when it comes to the Arts is simple yet elusive, easily overlooked and forgotten.  The WHY is the most important factor, because that's what keeps you going on the Pu'uloa that is life.

Mike Hawkins is an excellent Jazz musician and educator.  Mike (Kiese) considers him to be amongst Richmond's finest musicians.  We are so grateful and honored for Mike's gracious contribution of his years of profound dedication and study of the upright bass and Jazz to Hawaiian music by playing with Pu'uloa.

Mike Kiese describes Mike Hawkin's playing as "Nothing less than solid.  Simply the best upright player I have ever played with."

Mike Hawkin's bio:

Michael Hawkins is an exciting and charismatic bassist currently residing  in the Richmond, Virginia area.  His commanding presence and swinging pulse quickly catapulted him to the top of his profession, enabling him to perform with some of the world’s greatest musicians.

Hawkins began his music career as a trumpet player in his high school band. After switching to trombone, he finally settled on bass guitar. At 15, he began to work professionally in his native Alexandria, Va. By 16, he was leading his own band and performing regularly in the Washington, D.C., area. Upon receiving a full scholarship, Hawkins studied music at Virginia State University. Next, he made his way to New York City, where he earned a master’s degree in Jazz Studies from Queen’s College and shared the stage with some of the world’s greatest musicians.

Internationally, Hawkins has toured and performed with some of the biggest names in music.  Hawkins has performed with jazz legends saxophonists Jimmy Heath, Eric Alexander, Gary Bartz, Donald Harrison; pianists Bruce Barth, Eric Reed, Mulgrew Miller, Cyrus Chestnut, John Hicks; vocalists Vanessa Rubin, Leon Thomas, Carla Cook; vibraharpist Stefon Harris; guitarist Mark Whitfield, Mark Elf and Russell Malone; drummers Carl Allen, Ralph  Peterson, Cindy Blackmon; and the trombone and seashells of Steve Turre.  Also toured abroad in Japan, Russia, Ukraine, China, Germany, Italy, Canada and Scandinavia. 

Michael has led groups and performed in prestigious venues such as New York City's, The Village Vangaurd,  Sweet Basil's,  Dizzy’s Coca Cola Club (Jazz at Lincoln Center), and house Bassist at Cleopatra's Needle,  Joe Segal's  Jazz Showcase (Chicago), Jazz Bakery (Los Angeles), Ragatta Bar, Sculler's (Boston),  The Dakota (Minneapolis) and Yoshi's (Oakland).

A sought after side-man, Michael's dynamic Bass sound  can be heard on numerous recording projects such as Cyrus Chestnuts "You Are My Sunshine" (Warner Bros.),  "Genuine Chestnut" (Telarc),  and on various performances, and songwriting collaborations.

Locally, Michael has been heating up the jazz scene in Greater Richmond, Va. with his current band "Michael Hawkins and the Brotherhood".  The Brotherhood consists of the finest musicians currently living in the Richmond Va. area.  James “Saxsmo” Gates - Alto Saxophone, Dr. Weldon Hill- piano, and Billy Williams Jr.-Drums with Michael Hawkins on Bass, The Brotherhood is one of RVA’s top Jazz ensembles, performing to enthusiastic everywhere they go.  The Brotherhood not only signifies the interpersonal relationships between each of the members of the band but also pays homage to the generation of jazz musicians from years past.  Michael brings his signature sound to compliment both horn players and vocalists with his huge rich tone. Since 2018, his critically acclaimed quartet  has been playing to packed houses across the Richmond area and the region.

Michael's Album "On Bass..." is available on all streaming platforms, and can be purchased directly through his website.

Apple Music


Websites/Links:

https://www.michaelhawkinsmusic.com

Rofiza “Fiza”Daley is a Singer, Hula dancer, and self-described “lover of all music and dance”. She was born and raised in the tiny Southeast Asian Country of Singapore.  She came to the United States in 1997 and currently lives in Mechanicsville, VA with her husband, “Rick the Roadie” and children.

Fiza began dancing and singing in her early childhood years, mainly driven by her parent’s love of music. Her mother was a lead singer, and her father played the bass in the early 60s and 70s.

 "Hula dance is a form of healing and self-expression.  It tells the story of a particular event or person through their dance, using hand motions and facial expressions to convey the meaning. Second, hula is a way to connect with the spirt of Aloha, or Love.  Hula is simply beautiful to watch.  The gracefulness of the dancers and the flowing motions of the dance are mesmerizing, and anyone who watches a hula performance can appreciate its beauty."

...Fiza

Style of Dance:

Hula 'Auana meaning to wander or drift, a modern less formal hula accompanied by song and Western-influenced musical instruments such as Spanish Style Guitar, Upright Bass, Hawaiian Steel Guitar, and the ‘Ukulele.

Jim DeFazio is a valued addition to Pu'uloa as a solid "all arounder", playing 'Ukulele, Bass, and singing background vocals, harmonies, as well as lead.  He brings a varied and eclectic background to Pu’uloa, having performed for decades as a bassist and singer in multiple genres from Rock and Blues, to Latin Jazz, Country, Zydeco, and more. 

While completing a master’s degree in Ethnomusicology, Jim researched and performed in Medieval music, Mexican Mariachi, Italian popular song, and Hawaiian music.  Hailing originally from Southern California, he has performed with Grammy nominated artists, and at the homes of Hollywood celebrities. 

While living in Phoenix, Arizona, Jim was a member of the swing/jazz combo “Big Swingin’ Deal,” the Eric Clapton tribute band “Eric and the Dominoes,” and the Beatles tribute, “All Together Now.” While in Arizona he also performed with native Hawaiian musicians, singer/songwriter Dana “Moon” Kahele, and the professional Hawaiian Hula Halau “Na Leo Kupono,” also traveling to perform in San Franciso and Waikiki.  

Wendley "Bert" Kekauoha was born and raised in Hawai'i.  He is a Singer/Songwriter who posesses soothing baritone vocals and plays Guitar and Bass.  His repertoire of Hawaiian music is vast and deep. 

Wendley is a US Army Veteran of the Vietnam War, serving in I Corps with the 101st Airborne Division.

You will always be treasured and valued, Unko Bert!

Hometown:

Kaka'ako, Hawaii on the island of O'ahu

McKinley High School Graduate c/o '67

Wendley's Album "Ala Moana" is available on all music streaming platforms.
Apple Music

YouTube