Taking the name of the beautiful windward O’ahu mountain so much a part of family and childhood memories, Olomana blends contemporary and traditional musical styles to create a unique sound that is deeply rooted in the land, people and culture of Hawai’i.
In 1973 Jerry Santos and Robert Beaumont joined forces to introduce an exciting new sound to the Hawaiian music scene. They brought their distinctive harmony and versatility to many of Hawai’i’s nightclub and concert stages. In 1976 their first recording “Like A Seabird In The Wind” was received enthusiastically and songs like Santos’ “Ku’u Home O Kahalu’u” and Beaumont’s “Home” became instant favorites. Two more albums followed. “And So We Are” in 1978 helped to focus a generation of Hawaiians on the concept of “aloha ‘aina” -love for the land- with Uncle Harry Mitchell’s “Mele o Kaho’olawe”. Influenced by the aloha of friend and counselor Emma Defries , “Come To Me Gently” in 1981 would acknowledge the rewards of the sharing between generations. The latter was honored with six Na Hoku Hanohano awards by the Hawai’i Academy of Recording Arts including a Song of the Year composer’s award for Jerry Santos’ title cut “Come to me Gently” and a Haku Mele (Hawaiian language) composer’s award for Auntie Emma Defries’ “E Ku’u Sweet Lei Poina ‘ole. By this time the group had expanded to include Wally Suenaga on bass and Willy Paikuli on drums and assorted Hawaiian and standard percussion instruments.
