AlohaCalendar
Classic Bands & Groups
The groups that shaped modern Hawaiian sound.
The Brothers Cazimero
Hawaiian vocal duo of brothers Robert and Roland Cazimero, known for annual Lei Day concerts.
active 1974–2017 (duo founded 1974; ended with Roland's death in 2017)
Cecilio & Kapono
1970s Honolulu duo of Cecilio Rodriguez and Henry Kapono in contemporary Hawaiian pop.
active from 1973 (peak mid-to-late 1970s); later reunions and intermittent recording through the 1990s
Hapa
Contemporary Hawaiian group founded on Maui in 1983 by Barry Flanagan and Keliʻi Kaneʻāliʻi.
active since 1983 (debut album 1993)
Hoʻokena
Contemporary Hawaiian harmony group active since 1986, with seven Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards and three Grammy nominations.
1986–present
Hui ʻOhana
Hawaiian slack-key and falsetto trio active in the 1970s, tied to the Hawaiian Renaissance.
1972–1978 (reunited briefly in the late 1980s)
Kaʻau Crater Boys
1990s Oʻahu duo whose rapid ʻukulele/guitar sound won three Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards.
1990–1997 (as a duo; Ernie Cruz Jr. died September 20, 2016)
Kalapana
1970s Honolulu island-rock band known for "Naturally," "Nightbird," and "The Hurt."
active since the mid-1970s (formed 1974; debut 1975)
Mākaha Sons
Long-running traditional Hawaiian group, formerly the Mākaha Sons of Niʻihau.
active since 1976
Nā Leo Pilimehana
Hawaiian female vocal trio formed 1984 at Kamehameha Schools, known for Hawaiian Contemporary harmony music.
1984–2026 (on hiatus as of May 1, 2026, per official site)
Nā Palapalai
Hilo-founded Hawaiian music trio known for hula-favorite songs and multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards.
1995–present
Olomana
Hawaiian group co-founded by Jerry Santos, known for "Kuʻu Home o Kahaluʻu."
active since the mid-1970s (debut album 1976)
The Sons of Hawaiʻi
Traditional Hawaiian group founded in 1960 by Eddie Kamae and Gabby Pahinui.
Founded 1960; Eddie Kamae led the group until retiring from performing in 1992
Photos: Wikimedia Commons user Jwilbiz (CC BY-SA 3.0)