Maunalua - Group of the year
Bruce Spencer, Bobby Moderow Jr. and Kahi Kaonohi take home a Hoku Award for their latest recording, but what really sets them apart are live performances
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with the guys for an audition - he was hired on the spot.
The three quickly built a following. And their name, Maunalua, was given to the group by Moderow’s wife Coleen as homage to the area where they first started playing together, Hawaii Kai. (Maunalua is the original name of Hawaii Kai, which means twin mountains.)
Gigs became a steady weekend and nightly thing for the guys, and they embraced it all. Holding down day jobs, the guys enjoyed the work-by-day, play-by-night lifestyle.
And they still do. Yes, Moderow, Spencer and Kaonohi all continue to work day jobs despite their very demanding music schedules.
Moderow works for his father’s landscape construction company, RHM Services. Kaonohi is full-time with Honeywell. And Spencer works for the non-profit organization Partners in Development.
And then there’s family life. Moderow has two daughters, Melyssa and Alohi. Kaonohi has six children, Isaiah, Tiffany, Ekolu, Keola, Josh and Kaila. And although Bruce’s keiki have left the nest, he’s still has lots of long-distance parenting to tend to.
Upcoming on their Oahu calendar is the Flavors of Honolulu, June 28 from 1-2 p.m. at Honolulu Hale, and on July 17 they’ll be at Bishop Museum for the “Moonlight Mele on the Lawn.” And every Friday afternoon they’re at Duke’s Canoe Club from 4-6.
In the recording department, the guys are giving themselves some breathing room. There’s nothing immediate on the horizon, although album No. 4 is definitely in the plans. And with it will come high expectations, as all three of their albums have received a Na Hoku Hanohano Award.
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“You want to make your project heartfelt and not just come out with an album ‘just because,’” says Kaonohi. “You want people to enjoy it and for you to enjoy it.”
And above all it’s about giving back and honoring the people who have carried them on their journey. From the artists who helped them hone their craft, to the countless musicians whom they idolize, to the bars and restaurants that gave them a chance, to the children who now look to them for guidance.
Maunalua has always made it a priority to offer their talents to non-profit events, schools and benefits when they can.
“We are the type of guys that like to give back,” adds Kaonohi. “And you got to help out the kids and schools.”
Spencer adds, “It seems like lately kids at an early age are really into Hawaiian music. Now it’s just so natural, so it’s encouraging how it’s catching on. And we love being a part of that.”
From generation to generation, Maunalua has taken its place in the perpetuation and revitalization of Hawaiian music. And for that they deserve applause.
Group of the Year - sure. We’ll stand up and clap for that too.
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