Paula Fuga
Saving My Love Tour
Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 8pm
Hawaiian Series is Sponsored by
The Hiland Foundation
Richard and Elizabeth Steele Fund
This performance is presented without an intermission.
Brad Watanabe: Bass
Michael Grande: Piano/Keys
Paula’s exquisite vocals, compelling lyrics, and stunning melodies have garnered widespread critical acclaim, establishing her as one of the most sought-after live performers in Hawai‘i. As a songwriter of remarkable passion and depth, she is celebrated for her intense emotional delivery and unique style, which resonates deeply with audiences worldwide. Her music defies easy categorization, blending sweet island vibes, R&B, and Jawaiian roots reggae into a sound often described as modern Hawaiian soul. Her heartfelt artistry and captivating presence continue to endear her to listeners across the globe.
Her debut release, Lilikoi, earned her the prestigious Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award—Hawai‘i’s equivalent of the Grammy—for Most Promising Artist of the Year. In 2021, she signed with Jack Johnson’s Brushfire Records and released her first album under the label, Rain on Sunday. The album featured the standout single “If Ever,” a collaboration with Johnson and Ben Harper. Rain on Sunday went on to win two top honors at the 2022 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards: Female Vocalist of the Year and Contemporary Album of the Year.
Born in Louisiana, where her father was stationed in the Army, Paula grew up in Hawai‘i. Her multicultural heritage reflects the rich diversity of the islands—her mother is of Native Hawaiian, French, English, Filipino, Chinese, and Puerto Rican descent, while her father is Samoan and Chinese. As Paula observes, “In Hawai‘i, every nationality counts.”
From a young age, Paula experienced the challenges of homelessness on Hawai‘i’s beaches, witnessing firsthand the destructive impact of drugs and violence. Poetry became her refuge, a platform to express her struggles and emotions. Her artistic journey expanded in high school when she began playing the ‘ukulele, blossoming into a talented songwriter. Although her 2004 American Idol audition didn’t secure her a spot, she was later invited to Hollywood for a special show featuring “rejects”—many of whom went on to achieve remarkable success, surpassing even the winners.
Paula’s musical career has taken her around the globe. She has toured extensively with Jack Johnson, performing at venues across the U.S. and internationally, including Australia’s renowned Byron Bay Blues Festival. She has also collaborated with reggae legend Ziggy Marley, both appearing on her EP Misery’s End.
Beyond music, Paula is deeply committed to inspiring youth worldwide. She shares her story of resilience and hope as part of the Turnaround Arts program, a partnership between the Hawaii Arts Alliance and The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., alongside fellow artists Jake Shimabukuro, John Cruz, and Alfre Woodard.
In 2023, Paula broadened her horizons by making her theatrical debut as the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella at Honolulu’s historic Diamond Head Theatre. She also launched Mana Wahine Productions, her own production company.
Through her music and storytelling, Paula serves as both an artist and a cultural ambassador, spreading the evocative voice of the Hawaiian people and the spirit of aloha across the world. She explains, “We want to take Hawai‘i to the world, show the aloha spirit to the world—loving, welcoming, and inviting. We’re all connected by one ocean. Even though it has many names, we’re all on this one earth.”
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