As many who play music can attest, there’s often a moment, call it divine intervention, that brings about an unexpected song, sound, or feeling. These moments provide us with a joyful togetherness and grounding sense of place. These moments mark the genesis of Makalei.

Stew Kawakami and Mike Judd, two kama‘aina whose love for these Islands and its people is reflected in a menagerie of stylistic sounds. Makalei depicts the many personalities within the Hawaiian music genre, while revealing their respect for those who have helped them learn the power of music. Whether you investigate the enticing kauna of their originals, or reminisce in the comforting shade of the classics, you can’t help but feel like calling a friend or family member over for a pau-hana kanikapila session.

Enjoy Makalei, the magic fishing tree, as you’re reeled in... then released to sing, laugh, and smile.
  • Download via iTunes or directly from Makalei.
    Purchase a CD from mele.com

  • Statewide: Borders Books & Music, Walmart

  • Oahu: Barnes & Noble, Target, Kalapawai Market, Mission Houses Bookstore, Island Paddler

  • Maui: Barnes & Noble, Hasegawas, Kaupo Store, Hana Store

  • Hawaii Island: Kamuela Liquor Store, Target, Kamuela Liquor Store

  • Molokai: Rawlins Chevron, Local Store and Hotel Molokai, Molokai Drug Store, Kalele Bookstore
  • staff

Fans: howzit@makaleimusic.com
Bookings: bookings@makaleimusic.com
Press: press@makaleimusic.com

Media resources including an official press-release, album artwork, and group photography are available in the Makalei media kit.

Pehea Ka Lawai‘a on the Hawaii News Now morning edition with Billy V.

Pehea Ka Lawai‘a is now available online, both as a high-quality digital download, and CD format via mele.com. For those of you in Hawai‘i, the album is now available at the following retailers: Barnes & Noble (Oahu & Maui), Borders Books & Music, Target (Oahu & Kona), and Walmart. An official release party is in the works. Follow us on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook for the latest info.

Pehea Ka Lawai‘a is now available online, both as a high-quality digital download, and CD format via mele.com. For those of you in Hawai‘i, the album is now available at the following retailers: Barnes & Noble (Oahu & Maui), Borders Books & Music, Target (Oahu & Kona), and Walmart.

An official release party is in the works. Follow us on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook for the latest info.

…a generational mix that you rarely hear in today’s Hawaiian music since no one is really doing it like this.
An early review of Pehea Ka Lawai‘a from John Book at This Is Book’s Music

Become A Makalei Fan On Facebook

For those of you on Facebook, you can now become a fan of Makalei by visiting their official Facebook page. Going brah, do it already!

Pehea Ka Lawai‘a Release Date

Pehea Ka Lawai‘a, the debut album from Makalei, will be available Tuesday, November 3rd at the following retailers:

  • Barnes & Noble (Oahu & Maui)
  • Border Books & Music (Statewide)
  • Target (Oahu & Kona)
  • Walmart (Statewide)

Pehea Ka Lawai‘a will also be available for download at the following online retailers:

  • iTunes
  • Amazon
  • mele.com
  • buyhawaiianmusic.com
  • Rhapsody
  • eMusic
Makalei is the supernatural fish-attracting branch of goddess Haumea that charmed schools of fish. Like this magic branch, this dynamic duo, dear friends and ocean enthusiasts Mike Judd and Stew Kawakami will entice us to their pool of melodies and harmonies featuring original, traditional Hawaiian and contemporary mele of Hawai‘i while taking us on a journey around Hawai‘i by air, land, and sea. Pehea Ka Lawai‘a is an impressive collection of diverse musical influences that will have you grooving, dancing hula, swinging to jazz, relaxing to kiho ‘alu, singing along, and will persuade you to grab a partner to move with the smooth bossa nova rhythms. Makalei’s vocal delivery and musical arrangements are timeless, sure to titillate and invoke fond memories. Their love for making music and their island environment is clearly evident in this captivating debut. Fasten your seatbelt and Come Fly With Me to behold the Silversword of Haleakala and the uplands of Pu‘uanahulu to the shores of Keawaiki, or a drive to Kapunahou or around Molokai Nui A Hina. Get your paddles up and voyage Oceans Away in this Wonderful World of Aloha. Enjoy the charm. - Kainani Kahaunaele

Makalei is the supernatural fish-attracting branch of goddess Haumea that charmed schools of fish. Like this magic branch, this dynamic duo, dear friends and ocean enthusiasts Mike Judd and Stew Kawakami will entice us to their pool of melodies and harmonies featuring original, traditional Hawaiian and contemporary mele of Hawai‘i while taking us on a journey around Hawai‘i by air, land, and sea.

Pehea Ka Lawai‘a is an impressive collection of diverse musical influences that will have you grooving, dancing hula, swinging to jazz, relaxing to kiho ‘alu, singing along, and will persuade you to grab a partner to move with the smooth bossa nova rhythms. Makalei’s vocal delivery and musical arrangements are timeless, sure to titillate and invoke fond memories.

Their love for making music and their island environment is clearly evident in this captivating debut. Fasten your seatbelt and Come Fly With Me to behold the Silversword of Haleakala and the uplands of Pu‘uanahulu to the shores of Keawaiki, or a drive to Kapunahou or around Molokai Nui A Hina. Get your paddles up and voyage Oceans Away in this Wonderful World of Aloha. Enjoy the charm.

- Kainani Kahaunaele