Album Notes

Al Nip and Jon Toda have been playing Hawaiian music on Maui since 1983. They have shared their music to malihini and kama`aina at many Maui venues, including, the Ritz Carlton Kapalua, Westin Maui, Hyatt Regency, Sheraton Maui, Kealani, and other Maui properties.

Al Nip, retired after 31 years as an educator at Lahainaluna High School, where he coordinated the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism, founded the Marketing, Computer, Law, and Voyaging programs and taught business courses. He has played music professionally on Maui since 1975 and enjoys sharing the culture and history of the islands through this medium. He loves kiho`alu and his style can be described in two words, “simple and sweet.” Al currently teaches part-time at the Kaunoa Senior Center in Lahaina. In his spare time, Al enjoys paddleboard surfing, diving for tako, and assisting Na Kalai Wa`a Moku o Hawai`i with the Makali`i voyaging canoe. He also serves as an officer of the Lahaina Tennis Club. His wife, Dale, works as a technology instructor at Kamehameha Schools Maui Campus and they have two daughters.

Jon Toda has been playing Hawaiian music on Maui for over twenty years. He is a skilled bass player who also plays guitar and `ukulele. He is employed at Seabury Hall, a prestigious private school, where he is the Technology Director and teaches `ukulele. He previously worked for Maui Community College as the coordinator of the CompTech program, a division of VITEC. As an architect, he has had a hand in designing various Maui and O`ahu properties. Jon is married to wife Lydia, and has two daughters.

Fulton Tashombe, the only full-time musician in the group, is a world-class keyboard player and producer. He has played with the Jackson 5, Quincy Jones, George Benson, Natalie Cole, and most recently Patti LaBelle during the 2007 Christmas season.

Fea-B-Lei Alcomindras has been playing Hawaiian music in Maui since the 60's. She plays `ukulele and has a beautiful Hawaiian voice.

Geronimo Valdriz learned to play the steel guitar from Jerry Byrd and is a master in his own right. He currently works as a family court judge.