Tropical Sounds/ukulele Players & Hawaiian Band

• Zac Quintana - acoustic guitar/singer
• Moses Kamai - ukulele/singer
• NuiNani Makaha - ukulele/singer/Hula Dance
• Frank Della-Penna - lap steel guitar
• Sheena Kaiulani Luaehu - Hula/Tahitian Dancer
• Wendell Yee - ukulele /vocals

Tropical Sounds is your new Entertainment Company specialized in Authentic Hawaiian music .Tropical Sounds proudly presents "Hoa Mele Wakinekona". We provide high quality entertainment with a mix of popular, traditional, and relaxing island sounds. Our musicians are among the finest in the area. Always serving and treating our clients like friends, hospitality, and professionalism -- this is the true Aloha Spirit found within our group.No event is too big or small.
We offer singers,Ukulele players,drummers , beautiful Hula dancers by DC Luau Entertainment and Hawaiian steel guitar by Frank Della-Penna.

Bio Moses Kamai

Moses Kamai, is a native Hawaiian and coaches the group. Members of the group have played for many years at various venues. The leader also runs a local ukulele club, Northern Virginia Ukulele Ensemble and teaches beginners and intermediate ukulele players at the ukulele club and at a local music store. He also offers opportunities for beginners and amateur ukulele musicians to improve their performance techniques at their jam sessions. He is also very active with the DC metropolitan ukulele community and has shared the stage with local top ukulele artists at Strathmore and other ukulele festival venues.

Moses has played the ukulele and guitar for many years. However, in the last several years he has focused on the ukulele and learns personally from top artists from Hawaii like Herb Ohta, Jr., John Keawe, Brittni Paiva, Sonny Lim, Keoki Kahumoku, Moses Kahumoku, Donald Kaulia, Walter Keale, and Michael Keale. Locally, he is also influenced by and has taken lessons from Marcy Marxer, of the Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer duo and their folk, jazz, and swing styles of playing the ukulele, and who happen to be local Grammy artists.

Frank Della-Penna -Hawaiian Steel Guitarist

Frank was introduced to Hawaiian music by the Harlin Brothers Music and Dance Studio in the fourth grade during their visit to his elementary school in Indianapolis. It was love at first sight…that is, the sight of a woman doing the Hula, the rhytmic strum of the ukulele, the exotic phrasing of Hawaiian lyrics and the sound of the sweet glissando of the Hawaiian guitar. Frank studied Hawaiian steel guitar with the Harlin Brothers for several years and frequently performed on their radio show. In New York City, Frank studied under Hawaiian steel guitar vaudville performer and guitar and ukulele virtuoso Roy Smeck. To develop his skills on the Hawaiian nose flute and other Hawaiian rhythm implements, Frank received instruction in New York City from the renowned Calvin Ho. On Okinawa, he studied on the samisen under Teruya Kinyehi. He is self taught on the mandolin, bass violin, banjo, ukelele, keyboard, and Spanish guitar.

In Indianapolis, in the mid-90's, Frank hosted and produced a public radio show, devoted to Hawaiian music of the 30's to the 60's. During the radio show, he played recordings from his vast personal library, which consists of Hawaiian recordings on wax cylinders, acoustic and electric 78 rpm disks, LPs, 45s, tapes, and compact disks. The show also featured segments on Hawaiian food, culture and environment. Frank also played Hawaiian steel guitar for Ka Hui Hula Polynesia Dance School in Indiana. Frank is a long-standing member of both Aloha International Hawaiian Steel Guitar Club and the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association and has played with Barney Isaacs, Bobby Ingano and Merle Kekuku.

Influences-There are so many outstanding Hawaiian steel guitarists, but here are a few who influence Frank's playing:Barney Isaacs (Alvin Kalanikau Isaacs, Jr.), Sol Kaaiai Hoopii, David "Feet" Rogers, Andy Aiona, Charleston Puaonaona Almeida,David Kelii (Keliiheleua), Tommy Castro (Koani), and Sol K. Bright "The Hawaiian Cowboy. "

Wendell Yee

Born and raised In Honolulu , Growing up he always had a passion for Hawaiian muisic . Wendell has been playing professionally the Ukulele for 4 years now. He also does the vocals for our group.

NuiNani Makaha

Is the leader and Artistic Director of DC Luau Entertainment and the Makaha Group, established in Washington DC since 2003 . She is The female vocalist and ukulele player for our Tropical Sounds. She has been playing piano and singing since she was 5 years old. NuiNani is a songwriter and a true music enthusiastic. NuiNani is also one of our Hula dancers and choreographers.
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Weddings , Backyard parties, Corporate , Churches, Assistant Living!
Entertainment for all Occasions!
SOLO - DUO -TRIO to FULL BAND -- PLUS HULA DANCERS !
*ADDITIONAL ENTERTAINMENT & SERVICES: Hula Dancers, Lei Greeters, Fresh Flower Leis, Hula Lessons, Hula Grams, Tahitian Drumming, Fire Knife Dancer, DJ Services, Luau Catering, cultural programs.

"Let Us Bring the Entire Island Atmosphere and Share the Aloha Spirit with You"
Wedding , Birthdays, Anniversaries, Special Events, Festivals, Family Reunions, Corporate & Promotional Entertainment, Bar/Bat Mitzvah's, Children's & Holiday Parties, Backyard Luau's!

BIO: Hoa Mele Wakinekona -- means Music Buddies of Washington, DC. We are local musicians and hula performers who love playing and dancing Hawaiian, Polynesian, and other similar music of the Pacific. The leader, Moses Kamai, of the Hoa Mele Wakinekona is a native Hawaiian and coaches the entire group. Members of the group have also played blue grass, country, and pop music for many years at various venues. The leader also runs a local ukulele group, Northern Virginia Ukulele Ensemble and teaches beginners and advanced ukulele players, alike. He also provides higher level jamming techniques at their jam sessions -- called kanikapila. He is also very active with the DC metropolitan ukulele community and has shared the stage with local top ukulele artists at Strathmore and other venues.
The leader has played the ukulele and guitar for many years. However, in the last several years he has focused on the ukulele and learns personally from top artists from Hawaii like Herb Ohta, Jr., John Keawe, Brittni Paiva, Sonny Lim, Keoki Kahumoku, Moses Kahumoku, Donald Kaulia, and Walter Keale. Locally, he is also influenced by Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer and their jazz and swing styles of playing the ukulele, and happen to be local Grammy artists.

• I KONA - Dennis Pavao
• BEAUTIFUL KAUAI
• Tiny Bubbles/Pearly Shells - Don Hon
• Hawaiian Wedding Song - Don Hon
• My Little Grass Shack - Cogswell
• Sweet Wahine - Donald Kaulia
• Sophisticated Hula - Sol K Bright
• Show me how to do the hula
• Hanalei Moon - Robert Nelson
• Island Style - John Cruz
• Aloha Kaminini - Lot Kauwe
• Waimanalo Blues - Liko Martin
• Kaulana Kawaihae - K. A. Na'ai
• Wahine 'Ilikea - Rev. Dennis Kamakahi
• Lahinaluna - Kui Lee
• and many others - this is just a sample

Anniversaries, Bachelor Parties, Bachelorette Parties, Banquets, Birthday Parties, Children's Birthday Parties, Celebrations, Christenings, Christmas Parties, Church Services, Clubs, Community Events, Conventions, Corporate Functions, Dinner Dances, Events, Festivals, Fund Raisers, Funerals, Graduation Parties, Grand Openings, Picnic, Private Parties, Proms, Restaurants, Sweet 16 Parties, Weddings, Wedding Ceremonies, Wedding Cocktail Hours, Wedding Receptions...and more.

• My only concern was the inappropriateness of the song "Tiny Bubbles" for a group of school-aged children to be singing. The melody is very sweet, indeed, but the words (referring to drinking champagne)made me uncomfortable. I think I might have had some unhappy parents if their kids had come home singing that song. I'm sure Tropical Sounds would be amenable to making that adjustment, and I would be more than happy to have them back at my camp next year. -- Allyn L, Camp Springs, MD, 7/13/2010
• We had a Hawaiian luau wedding and booked 2 ukulele players for the reception. They were terrific and incredibly accommodating. Wonderful sound, great to work with and had that wonderful aloha spirit. I would highly recommend them! -- Carol O, Washington, DC, 5/12/2012

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