Solo ʻukulele for cocktail hours, lānai dinners, and the slow part of the night. Hanalei-based, neighbor-island travel welcome.
I'm Kekai Bahia. I play ʻukulele. I was born and raised in Hanalei, learned from my uncles around a kanikapila circle behind my grandpa's house, and have been playing professionally for fifteen years.
My repertoire leans Gabby Pahinui, Sonny Chillingworth, Israel Kamakawiwoʻole — the slack-key ʻukulele tradition — with detours into hapa-haole standards, contemporary Hawaiian songwriters (Kalani Peʻa, Josh Tatofi), and a small handful of mainland songs my couples ask me to learn for first dances.
I play solo. If you need a duo or trio, I have musicians I bring on for those bookings. I'm best for the reflective parts of an event — cocktail hour, dinner, the quiet hour after the cake. I'll let your DJ or band run the dance floor.
Travel: I'm Kauaʻi-based but happy to fly to any island for a wedding. I bring my own gear, a small PA appropriate to the room, and a tuned heart.
Mara & Ben L. · Hanalei / San Francisco
Kekai played for our ceremony, cocktail hour, and dinner at our Hanalei wedding. He learned a custom arrangement of 'Ka Uluwehi O Ke Kai' for our processional that I will never forget. He's got the slack-key tradition in his hands and he plays like someone who grew up around music, not someone who learned it.
Kalei Apau · Kailua, Oʻahu
I'm a DJ who's worked with Kekai on three Kauaʻi weddings. He's a pro — shows up tuned, transitions gracefully when I take over for the dance floor, and is just an easy person to share a stage with.
Anna T. · Princeville
Hired Kekai for a small 60th birthday dinner on our lānai in Princeville. Two hours of slack-key while we had dinner with extended family — my mother-in-law (who is from Hilo) said it was the most authentic ʻukulele she's heard at a private event in years.
These are starting packages. Most vendors will customize for your date, headcount, and the kind of party you're throwing — ask.
1 hour
Solo ʻukulele for cocktail hour, dinner, or ceremony. PA included.
2 hours
Cocktail hour through dinner. Two custom song arrangements (e.g., processional, first dance) included.
3 hours
Solo set plus one hour with a guitarist for fuller texture. Best for receptions wanting a long live-music block.
Booked dates are pulled from the vendor's own calendar. If your date is open, you can request a quote — they'll confirm in their reply. Most events lock in 2–6 months ahead in Hawaiʻi; for May–August dates, sooner is safer.
North-shore Kauaʻi private estate. Cliff lawn for ceremonies, restored cottage for receptions of 80 or fewer.
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Kauaʻi DJ for weddings, corporate events, and family parties. Born and raised in Līhuʻe, plays every island corner.