3-time GRAMMY award winner Kalani Pe‘a and Hawai‘i’s 2023 and 2019 Favorite Entertainer of the Year Taimane take the stage at Sony Hall on Monday, January 13 for a night of innovation and tradition. Both Pe‘a and Taimane are pushing the music of Hawai‘i forward into the stratosphere, breaking glass ceilings while paying homage to the roots of their creations and wowing audiences around the world.
Native Hawaiian Peʻa is a dynamic and charming performer with vocal brilliance and a wide range of songs and styles, from Hawaiian to Classical to R&B, that showcase his deep cultural roots and ‘Hawaiian contemporary soul’ sensibility. Peʻa just received his 4th Grammy nomination for his latest release “Kuini.” He is the only Hawaiʻi music artist nominated for the 2025 Best Regional Roots Music Album.
Hapa Samoan (part indigenous Samoan and part caucasian) Taimane is best known for her fierce and inventive style of playing the ukulele merging a wide-array of genres, from Bach to rock, flamenco infernos to tribal hymns, summoning a seemingly limitless palette of emotions via an instrument previously viewed as restricted.
At Sony Hall, Pe‘a and Taimane will share the stage for the first time ever, with Pe‘a performing an opening set with his musical ensemble and dancers, Taimane performing a closing set with her band and dancer, and both collaborating during the show.
★ KALANI PE‘A ★
“Gifted with a gorgeous voice and a flair for composing resonant Hawaiian songs, [he’s] a major, innovative figure in contemporary Hawaiian music.” – Maui News
“Kalani Pe ‘a holds an important place in the history of Hawaiian music… [His] third album…displays the depth and breadth of his talent as a vocalist and songwriter in vivid style.” – Honolulu Star-Advertiser
Sony Hall Ensemble: Kalani Pe‘a (vocals) joined by guitar, keyboards and dancers
★ TAIMANE ★
“Taimane rocks the stage with a sensual vibrancy and a white hot talent that captivates and beguiles!” – Pierce Brosnan (aka 007)
“I didn’t see anyone at the [SXSW] festival doing anything close to what she [Taimane] does on stage. She shreds on ukulele and rocks everything from Beethoven to Led Zeppelin. Somehow she manages to not only rock out but connect the audience with meaningful Hawaiian traditions and dances.” – Austin American-Statesman
Sony Hall Ensemble: Taimane (ukulele & vocals) joined by guitar, percussion and dancer