Kamaka Kūkona

In 2017, Kūkona released his second album, ʻAla Anuhea, featuring a wonderful array of newly composed mele. The album was mixed and recorded by Dave Tucciarone of Seventh Wave Studio. Again, Kūkona was awarded the Male Vocalist of the Year award at the 2018 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards.

In 2013, after years of recording, Kūkona, released his debut album, Hanu ʻAʻala. The album later went on to earn the Male Vocalist of the Year and the Most Promising Artist awards at the 2014 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards. Kūkona is one of only six Hawaiian musicians to be awarded both awards on a debut music album.

The success of Hanu ʻAʻala earned a nomination in the 57th Annual Grammy Awards for the Best Regional Roots Music Album. At the time, Kūkona was the only Hawaiian music artist nominated for the category. Due to the merger of multiple regional roots music categories into the Best Regional Roots Music Award in 2011, Hanu ʻAʻala faced increasing odds in the category historically dominated by Louisiana Cajun music. The album ultimately did not win the Grammy Award.

In 2003, after a successful ʻuniki process, Kūkona opened his own hula hālau, Hālau O Ka Hanu Lehua in Waikapu, Maui. The hālau accepts members of all ages. Hālau O ka Hanu Lehua have made several appearances at hula festivals across Hawaiʻi and Japan. As early as 2007, Hālau o Ka Hanu Lehua have been making regular appearances at the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, Hawaii.

Carlson Kamaka Kūkona, III (born 1978 in Maui, Hawaii), otherwise simply known as Kamaka Kūkona, is an American musician, vocalist, songwriter, record producer, kumu hula (hula teacher), and educator.