Pasifika, the upcoming release by Māhealani Uchiyama, is a celebration of peoples and cultures connected by the Pacific Ocean. The collection includes original and beautiful Hawaiian and Tahitian songs inspired by the land, the ocean and places of spiritual significance. There are also exciting new Tahitian ʻōteʻa (drum-songs) and a delightful selection of traditional island favorites.
Māhealani has been an award-winning performing artist, teacher and advocate for cultural understanding for almost forty years. She is the founder and Artistic Director of the Mahea Uchiyama Center for International Dance in Berkeley and is Kumu Hula of Hālau Ka Ua Tuahine, and has authored the Haumāna Hula Handbook for students of Hawaiian Dance (Penguin Random House, 2016.) Māhealani has received countless awards for her work as both a dancer and musician. Her 2004 release “Tatau” remains extremely popular in the Polynesian dance community throughout the world. Her release “A Walk by the Sea” was awarded the 2007 Hawai’i Music Award for Best World Music Album.
“If you like Tatau, you will love Pasifika!”