Skip to content
Kenneth Makuakane is recognized as a successful innovator in producing and recording Hawaiian music. He has over one hundred albums to his producing credits, working with artists such as Na Leo, Hapa, Amy Hanaiali’i Gilliom, Raiatea Helm, Obrian Eselu and Jeff Rasmussen.
He performs with the multi-award winning group The Pandanus Club, composing, engineering and producing each release.
A prolific songwriter, Kenneth’s compositions have been recorded by local artists like the Brothers Cazimero, Na Leo, Kapena, the Pandanus Club, Amy Hanaiali’i Gilliom, Loyal Garner and Gary Haleamau, as well as international artists from Japan like Yuri Chika and Yuki Miyamae. His songs have even been performed many times over at the annual Merrie Monarch Hula Festival, Hawaii’s Olympics of Hula. He produced a track on Kenny Loggins 2000 CD release “More Songs from Pooh Corner.” And his music has been on the soundtrack of major films like “Honeymoon In Las Vegas” and “Parent Trap In Paradise.”
He has received a total of eleven (11) Na Hoku Hanohano Awards, the Hawaii equivalent of the Grammy Awards. In 1990, Kenneth won a Na Hoku Hanohano Award for Producer of the Year. 1990 also brought him the Composer of the Year award from the prestigious Kamehameha Schools. In 1992, Kenneth won a Na Hoku Hanohano Award for his solo, religious album, Conversations With My Heart. In 1996, 1997 and 2000, he again garnered the Producers Award, earning him the “Babyface Of Hawai’i” label. Makuakane won Song of the Year honors in 2000 for his hit composition,”I Miss You, My Hawaii.” He has been recognized in the National Registry of Who’s Who.
“The ‘ukulele has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, from soprano, concert, tenor and baritone models. In my line of work as a record producer, I have to be picky about the sound of an instrument on all recordings I am involved with. Kanile‘a ‘Ukuleles are at the top of my list of great sounding instruments.
Whether I’m using an AKG-414, a KM-184, an RCA-77 ribbon mic or an SM-57, the clarity and resonance of the ‘ukulele shines through, making mixdown equalization extremely minimal. Joe and Kristen Souza have created a niche market that is on fire. I’m proud to be on board.”
-Kenneth Makuakane
