Nā Wai ʻEha –
Honolulu, Hawaiʻi.
(From Left to Right: Kahikina Juan, Kalanikina Juan, Kamalei Kawaʻa, Kamaʻehu Kawaʻa) Kawaʻa made his Hawaiian music debut with
Maui Hawaiian music quartet, Nā Wai ʻEhā, in 2012. Band members included Gregory Kahikina Maxwell Juan, Edward Kalanikini Maxwell Juan, and Kawaʻa's brother, Kamaʻehu Kawaʻa. The first album, Nā Wai ʻEhā, was a self-entitled, 11-track, award-winning masterpiece. As a result, the group won the 'Most Promising Artist of the Year Award' at the 42nd
Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards in 2019. In 2019, Nā Wai ʻEhā released their second album entitled, 'Lovely Sunrise.' In 2020, the album was awarded three
Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards at the 43rd
Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards. In 2020, 'Lovely Sunrise' was nominated for
Best Regional Roots Music Album at the
62nd Annual Grammy Awards.
Solo Artist Following the release of their second group album, Kawaʻa went solo, releasing several singles including,
Sweet Dreams Kuʻu Momi and
With This Kiss. Kawaʻa was also featured on multiple Hawaiian compilation records. In December 2025, Kawaʻa released his first solo album entitled, Mānaiakalani. A CD release party was subsequently held at the Four Seasons Resort Maui in
Wailea, Hawaii on January 17, 2026. The event featured original compositions and
mele from the album and live
hula from select members of Hālau Kekuaokalāʻauʻalaʻiliahi, his wife, Cierra Kawaʻa, and his mother,
Kumu Hula Luana Kawaʻa. == Awards ==