Mailani Makainai

That Mighty J debuts with a polished, well-crafted album is no surprise, given the trio's pedigree. Jenn "J-RoQ" Wright was a founding member of Kanalo, a generic Jawaiian band that nonetheless won a KCCN FM100 talent contest, and she has since done much more substantial work as solo singer/percussionist J-RoQ. Mailani Makainai is one-half of the Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winning pop duo Keahiwai. Add vocalist Tiare "Tiki" Suan, producer/studio guru Dr. Trey, and an assortment of studio musicians, and the result is an album good enough to make the national pop charts but with enough Jawaiian rhythms to give the trio a shot at local radio play.

The three share lead vocals and harmonize smoothly through a series of memorable selections. The title track addresses social issues -- anorexia and bulimia among them. "Baby I'm Gone" is a lovingly detailed revenge fantasy ("We took the blender, the computer and your favorite couch ... (and) celebrated with a smoothie"). Other original songs describe the real-life complexities of relationships in mature, articulate style.

With "Girls' Night Out" they also show their appeal as an edgy urban-style club act. With 2007 almost half over, Mighty J is the year's most impressive new local act.

Mighty J
(Daddy Records DRCD-42180)

Site Reference: http://starbulletin.com/2007/06/15/features/records.html - Star Bulletin (John Berger)

That Mighty J debuts with a polished, well-crafted album is no surprise, given the trio's pedigree. Jenn "J-RoQ" Wright was a founding member of Kanalo, a generic Jawaiian band that nonetheless won a KCCN FM100 talent contest, and she has since done much more substantial work as solo singer/percussionist J-RoQ. Mailani Makainai is one-half of the Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winning pop duo Keahiwai. Add vocalist Tiare "Tiki" Suan, producer/studio guru Dr. Trey, and an assortment of studio musicians, and the result is an album good enough to make the national pop charts but with enough Jawaiian rhythms to give the trio a shot at local radio play.

The three share lead vocals and harmonize smoothly through a series of memorable selections. The title track addresses social issues -- anorexia and bulimia among them. "Baby I'm Gone" is a lovingly detailed revenge fantasy ("We took the blender, the computer and your favorite couch ... (and) celebrated with a smoothie"). Other original songs describe the real-life complexities of relationships in mature, articulate style.

With "Girls' Night Out" they also show their appeal as an edgy urban-style club act. With 2007 almost half over, Mighty J is the year's most impressive new local act.

Mighty J
(Daddy Records DRCD-42180)

Site Reference: http://starbulletin.com/2007/06/15/features/records.html - Star Bulletin (John Berger)

"Calling Out" by MighTy J; Daddy Records

Genre:
World music.

Distinguishing notes:
MighTy J is a contemporary trio of three ambitious, forward-moving women from as many groups — Mailani Makainai from Keahiwai, Tiki Suan from Milo Shade, and Jenn "JRoc" Wright from Kanalo and Simple Souls. Already, they've picked up a Na Hoku Hanohano Awards nomination. This is their coming-out party: A blissful concoction of soft-rock, ballads-with-a-beat and easy-listening originals (they all write music and they all sing).

The tunes are reflective ("All of Me"), joyous ("Girls' Night Out" ), danceable ("Baby I'm Gone"), contemplative ("We Don't Need to Be Friends"). Seek, and you will find some kind of connection and confection, depending on your mood.

A pleasant surprise:
A remake of Eddie Kamae's "Ke Ala Ka Jeep," in Hawaiian; it has deep respect for the original but is still ultimately, mightily MighTy J.

Our take:
An underappreciated, outside-the-box gem from friends who know how to integrate talent and temperament.

link to article:
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080530/ENT0301/805300310/1123/ENTERTAINMENTFRONT - Honolulu Advertiser (Wayne Harada)

"Calling Out" by MighTy J; Daddy Records

Genre:
World music.

Distinguishing notes:
MighTy J is a contemporary trio of three ambitious, forward-moving women from as many groups — Mailani Makainai from Keahiwai, Tiki Suan from Milo Shade, and Jenn "JRoc" Wright from Kanalo and Simple Souls. Already, they've picked up a Na Hoku Hanohano Awards nomination. This is their coming-out party: A blissful concoction of soft-rock, ballads-with-a-beat and easy-listening originals (they all write music and they all sing).

The tunes are reflective ("All of Me"), joyous ("Girls' Night Out" ), danceable ("Baby I'm Gone"), contemplative ("We Don't Need to Be Friends"). Seek, and you will find some kind of connection and confection, depending on your mood.

A pleasant surprise:
A remake of Eddie Kamae's "Ke Ala Ka Jeep," in Hawaiian; it has deep respect for the original but is still ultimately, mightily MighTy J.

Our take:
An underappreciated, outside-the-box gem from friends who know how to integrate talent and temperament.

link to article:
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080530/ENT0301/805300310/1123/ENTERTAINMENTFRONT - Honolulu Advertiser (Wayne Harada)

For IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 21, 2008

Honolulu, HI - Mountain Apple Company HAWAI'I extends a warm welina to the label's most recently signed addition, Mailani Makainai. Makainai comes to Mountain Apple fresh off the release of the debut album CALLING OUT last summer with the newly established Mighty J.

Makainai will record a mixture of both traditional Hawaiian mele and a few original compositions as she embarks on her first solo venture with Mountain Apple.

As one-half of the duo Keahiwai, Makainai received two Na Hoku awards in 2002 - Most Promising Artist of the Year and Favorite Entertainer of the Year - for the group's debut album LOCAL GIRLS. Makainai and band mate Lei Melket went on to record four more albums before taking a hiatus. Since then, Makainai joined the group Mighty J with Jenn Jroq Wright of Kanalo and Tiki Suan of Milo Shade.

For the past seven years Mailani has honed and perfected her musical talents, all in preparation for this very moment. Recognizable vocals and a profound instrumental flair blend together to create a sound that is uniquely Mailani. Mountain Apple Company HAWAI'I stands by with full support as she begins her first solo project.

"It's been awhile since we [Mountain Apple Company HAWAI'I] have signed a new artist," said Jon de Mello, CEO of The Mountain Apple Company. "She's it, she's the new Hawaiian woman."

link:
http://www.mountainapplecompany.com/summerprojects/ - www.mountainapplecompany.com

For IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 21, 2008

Honolulu, HI - Mountain Apple Company HAWAI'I extends a warm welina to the label's most recently signed addition, Mailani Makainai. Makainai comes to Mountain Apple fresh off the release of the debut album CALLING OUT last summer with the newly established Mighty J.

Makainai will record a mixture of both traditional Hawaiian mele and a few original compositions as she embarks on her first solo venture with Mountain Apple.

As one-half of the duo Keahiwai, Makainai received two Na Hoku awards in 2002 - Most Promising Artist of the Year and Favorite Entertainer of the Year - for the group's debut album LOCAL GIRLS. Makainai and band mate Lei Melket went on to record four more albums before taking a hiatus. Since then, Makainai joined the group Mighty J with Jenn Jroq Wright of Kanalo and Tiki Suan of Milo Shade.

For the past seven years Mailani has honed and perfected her musical talents, all in preparation for this very moment. Recognizable vocals and a profound instrumental flair blend together to create a sound that is uniquely Mailani. Mountain Apple Company HAWAI'I stands by with full support as she begins her first solo project.

"It's been awhile since we [Mountain Apple Company HAWAI'I] have signed a new artist," said Jon de Mello, CEO of The Mountain Apple Company. "She's it, she's the new Hawaiian woman."

link:
http://www.mountainapplecompany.com/summerprojects/ - www.mountainapplecompany.com

Quite the audience for singer-songwriter Mailani Makainai at the Willows last weekend.

In the front row was Jake Shimabukuro's producer, Tracey "Dr. Trey" Terada. Next to him was Mountain Apple Co. President Leah Bernstein.

Both are betting Mailani is the next big thing in Hawaiian music.

Mountain Apple just inked Mailani to the label. "I was worried I'd never heard her," Bernstein said -- something of an exaggeration since the singer has done acclaimed work with groups Keahiwai and Mighty J. "OK," Bernstein said, "but I've never heard her sing like this, by herself."

"If you think she sounds good here, you should hear her in the studio," Terada said. Her first solo album, contemporary Hawaiian, will be called "Mai Kali a Niho a Pau."

"That means, 'Don't wait until your teeth fall out,'" she says. "Don't put things off until you are too old."

How old are you? I asked the singer, who looked like a kid in her short gingham sundress. "I'm 28," she said. "But could you write down 25?"

link: http://starbulletin.com/2008/06/01/news/heckathorn.html - Star Bulletin (John Heckathorn)

Quite the audience for singer-songwriter Mailani Makainai at the Willows last weekend.

In the front row was Jake Shimabukuro's producer, Tracey "Dr. Trey" Terada. Next to him was Mountain Apple Co. President Leah Bernstein.

Both are betting Mailani is the next big thing in Hawaiian music.

Mountain Apple just inked Mailani to the label. "I was worried I'd never heard her," Bernstein said -- something of an exaggeration since the singer has done acclaimed work with groups Keahiwai and Mighty J. "OK," Bernstein said, "but I've never heard her sing like this, by herself."

"If you think she sounds good here, you should hear her in the studio," Terada said. Her first solo album, contemporary Hawaiian, will be called "Mai Kali a Niho a Pau."

"That means, 'Don't wait until your teeth fall out,'" she says. "Don't put things off until you are too old."

How old are you? I asked the singer, who looked like a kid in her short gingham sundress. "I'm 28," she said. "But could you write down 25?"

link: http://starbulletin.com/2008/06/01/news/heckathorn.html - Star Bulletin (John Heckathorn)