Pacific NW News

Kaloku Holt Wins Recording Contract with Hula Records

By Rochelle delaCruz

Kaloku Holt of Vancouver, Washington, won the 2005 Hapa Haole Hula Competition – Vocal Division held recently in Honolulu. The Hapa Haole competition requires that the songs be about Hawai`i and sung in English. Kaloku entered with the medley: Down in Honolulu, I Fell in Love with Honolulu and Aloha Week Hula.

Kaloku was born in Hawai`i and grew up in Kalihi on O`ahu where he began singing with the Kalihi Union Church Choir. When he was a teenager, his family moved to Vancouver, Washington where he and other Hawai`i transplants formed the music group Kalakoa which performs contemporary Hawaiian and island reggae. Kaloku write songs and plays the piano, `ukulele, bass guitar and drums. If he looks familiar, perhaps you’ve seen him in advertisements for Nike and other large companies.

Kaloku comes from a family talented in music and dance. His mother is Deva Yamashiro, kumu hula for h ā lau Ka Leinani O Kekui in Vancouver, and his aunt is kumu hula Vicky Holt Takamine. Kaloku and his brother Keawe will be performing at the Ho`ike in Vancouver, Washington on July 23rd.

We will be hearing and seeing more of this polished singer and dancer. As a result of winning the 2005 Hapa Haole Hula Competition – Vocal Division, Kaloku Holt now has a recording contract with Hula Records.

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