Paula Fuga

Island Contemporary

Paula Fuga

Photo: Sean Michael Hower

Paula Fuga

vocals & ‘ukulele

“She possesses an uncommonly gorgeous voice and holds notes that wrap around a listener like a mother’s embrace.” — Variety

“Paula has an amazing strong voice that is melodic and sweet and paints the picture of island life” – AU Review

“Hawaiian Queen of Soul” — Maui News

Exquisite vocals, powerful lyrics and gorgeous melodies have earned Paula widespread critical praise and made her one of the most sought-after live performers in Hawai‘i. She is a songwriter of depth and passion, praised for her intense emotion with a personal style that resonates deeply with audiences around the world. It is almost impossible to peg her into a single music genre. With a beautiful disposition, sweet island vibes, R&B, and Jawaiian roots reggae in the mix, her music has been called modern Hawaiian soul.

Her first release Lilikoi earned her the Na Hoku Award (Hawai‘i’s “Grammy”) for Most Promising Artist of the Year. Her music has continued to blend tradition, innovation, and originality, featuring soul, reggae, and jazz–infused melodies, seamlessly mixing English and Hawaiian lyrics, with Paula on ‘ukulele and backed by a 2-3 piece band. She was honored in 2022 with Nā Hōku Awards for Female Vocalist of the Year along with Contemporary Album of the Year for her recent release Rain on Sunday.

In 2021, she signed with Jack Johnson’s Brushfire record label, and released her first album under that label Rain On Sunday, featuring her single with Johnson and Ben Harper If Ever.

She has toured extensively with Jack Johnson, and recorded with reggae royalty Ziggy Marley – both are featured on her EP release Misery’s End. Paula dedicates much of herself inspiring the youth in Hawai’i and across the world, sharing her story of perseverance and hope. In 2019, she was selected for a coveted Juried Showcase spot at the Western Arts Alliance (WAA) conference.

Always expanding her professional horizons, in 2023 Paula made her theatrical stage debut as Fairy Godmother in Cinderella at Honolulu’s historic Diamond Head Theatre and launched her production company Mana Wahine Productions.

At an early age, she faced the vulnerabilities of living homeless in Hawai‘i, seeing the destruction caused by drugs and violence. In middle school, Fuga began with poetry as a platform to express her experiences, and blossomed into a songwriter when she began playing ‘ukulele in high school. She is one of four performers in Hawai‘i (with Jake Shimabukuro, John Cruz, and Alfre Woodard) in the Turnaround Arts program of the Hawaii Arts Alliance in partnership with Kennedy Center in Washington DC.

Says Paula: “We want to take Hawaii to the world, show the aloha spirit to the world, loving and welcoming and inviting. We’re all connected by one ocean, even though it has many names, we’re all on this one earth.”

WEBSITE

Tour Schedule

2024

Wed Oct 16, 2024 – The Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, Washington DC
A Celebration of Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Advance reservations available 2 weeks before the show. FREE tickets available at the door 4:30 PM day of show.
6:00 PM
Ticket Link

Thurs Oct 17, 2024 – Joe’s Pub, New York NY
9:30 PM
Ticket Link

Sat Oct 19, 2024 – Kukini Film Screening, Pacific Island Film Festival, New York, NY
at Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, New York NY
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

2025

Tues, Feb 4, 2025 – The Triple Door, Seattle WA
7:30 PM
Ticket Link

Wed, Feb 5, 2025 – Alberta Rose Theatre, Portland OR
8:00 PM
Ticket Link

Thurs, Feb 6, 2025 – Blue Note Napa, Napa CA
8:00 PM (Doors at 6:00)
Ticket Link

Sat, Feb 8, 2025 – Irvine Barclay Theatre, Irvine CA
8:00 PM
Ticket Link

Mon, Feb 10, 2025 – Belly Up Tavern, Solana Beach CA
7:30 PM
Ticket Link

Past Tours Dates

2024

Fri Sep 27, 2024 – The Shops at Wailea, Wailea, Maui HI

Fri Sep 6, 2024 – The MIM (Musical Instrument Museum, Phoenix AZ

Tue Sep 10-Fri Sep 13 – UtahPresents, University of Utah, Salt Lake City UT
Education and Community Engagement Residency

Fri Sep 13, 2024 – Kingsbury Hall, University of Utah, Salt Lake City UT
UtahPresents

Sun Sept 15, 2024 – Swallow Hill Music – Daniels Hall, Denver CO
Presented by Swallow Hill Music

Sat Aug 3, 2024 – Private Event, Evergreen CO

Sat Aug 10, 2024 – Private Event, Kilauea HI

Sat, Mar 9, 2024, Hawai’i Theatre Center, Honolulu HI
Guest Artist with Hawai’i Symphony Orchestra for HapaSymphony Concert

Sat, Feb 10, 2024, Private Event, Kailua HI

2023

Fri, Dec 1, 2023, Ritz Carlton Kapalua, Lahaina HI
Christmas Tree Lighting

Sat, Dec 2, 2023 – Private Event, Waimanalo HI

Fri, Oct 20, 2023, Private Event, Honolulu HI

Sun, Sept 24, 2023 – Green Music Center at Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park CA
Global Roots Sonoma Festival

Tues Sept 26, 2023 – Sheldon Community Arts Hangar, Talkeetna AK
Presented by Denali Arts Council

Fri Sept 29, 2023 – Discovery Theatre at Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, Anchorage AK
Presented by Anchorage Concert Association

Sun Oct 1, 2023 – Gerald C Wilson Auditorium, Kodiak AK
Presented by Kodiak Arts Council

Fri Aug 18, 2023 – Private Event, Hilo HI

Sat Aug 5, 2023 – Waikiki Shell, Honolulu HI
Guest Artist with Honolulu Symphony Orchestra

Sun July 2, 2023 – Turtle Bay Resort, Kahuku HI
Ohana Day

Sat, June 3, 2023 – Maui AgFest, War Memorial Stadium, Wailuku HI

Sun May 7, 2023 – HoloHolo Music Festival, Las Vegas NV

Wed May 10, 2023 – Cervantes’ Other Side, Denver CO

Thu May 11, 2023 – Blue Note Napa, Napa CA

Fri May 12, 2023 – Freight & Salvage, Berkeley CA

Sat May 13, 2023 – Moe’s Alley, Santa Cruz CA

Sun Feb 19, 2023 – CaliVibes Fest, Long Beach CA

Fri Feb 24 and Sat Feb 25, 2023 – Encore Theater at the Wynn, Las Vegas NV

2022

Sat, Dec 10, 2022 – Anaina Hou Community Park – Kilauea HI

Sat, Aug 20, Reno Aloha Festival, Wingfield Park, Reno NV

Sun, Aug 21, The Sofia, Sacramento CA
Presented by SBL Entertainment

Wed, Aug 24, Moe’s Alley, Santa Cruz CA

Thurs, Aug 25, The Egyptian Theatre, Boise ID
Presented by SBL Entertainment

Fri, Aug 26, Alberta Rose Theatre, Portland OR
Sat, Aug 27, Bing Crosby Theater, Spokane WA
Presented by SBL Entertainment

Mon, Aug 29, Private Event, Las Vegas NV

Tue Aug 30, SOhO Restaurant & Music Club, Santa Barbara CA

Wed Aug 31, The Coach House, San Juan Capistrano, CA

Thurs, Sept 1, 2022, The Venice West, Venice CA

Fri Sep 2, Water Street Plaza Amphitheater, City of Henderson NV

Fri July 29 and Sat July 30, Jack Johnson – A Benefit for Kokua Hawai’i Foundation – with special guest Paula Fuga, Waikiki Shell, Honolulu HI
Produced by BAMP Project

Sat May 14, Private Corporate Event, Wailea HI

Fri May 20, The Ocean Concert, Blue Climate Summit, Tahiti Waterfront

Sat Apr 30, Pink Tie Ball, Honolulu HI

Sat Apr 30, Outrigger Canoe Club 100th Anniversary Luau, Honolulu HI

2021

Fri July 16, Uncle Robert’s, Pahoa HI

Fri-Sat July 30-31, Blue Note Hawai’i, Honolulu HI, 4 shows

Sun Sep 19 Mauna Kea Resort presented by Kahilu Theatre, Kamuela (Waimea), HI, Kahilu-TV

2019

Fri, Sept 20, 2019, The Pacific Club, Honolulu HI

Eye Ball – benefit for Project Vision Hawai’i

Fri, Oct 4, 2019, King Kamehameha Golf Club, Wailuku HI
High Hopes benefit dinner – presented by Friends of the Children’s Justice Center

Sat, Oct 12, 2019, Private Event – Wailea HI

Tues, Sept 3, Harlow’s Restaurant & Nightclub, Sacramento CA
with guest John Cruz

Sat, Sept 7, Sunset Cultural Center, Carmel-by-the-Sea CA
with guest John Cruz
Our Mission: Party! Sunset Center’s 7th Annual Fundraiser

Sun, Aug 25, Music Box San Diego, San Diego CA

Tues, Aug 27, Juried Showcase, Western Art Alliance, Los Angeles CA

Wed, Aug 28, SOhO Restaurant & Music Club, Santa Barbara CA

Thurs, Aug 29, Saint Rocke, Hermosa Beach CA

Sat, Aug 31 AND Sun, Sept 1, Blue Note Napa, Napa CA
with John Cruz

Sat, July 13, 2019, Private Event – Lahaina HI

Sat, June 8, 2019, Private Event – Waialua HI

Fri, May 31, 2019, Surfer the Bar, Turtle Bay Resort, Kahuku HI

Sun, April 21, 2019, Byron Bay Bluesfest, Australia
with Jack Johnson

Sat, Mar 30, 2019, Arts for ‘Aikahi Festival, ‘Aikahi Elementary Field, Kailua HI

Sun, Mar 24, 2019, Waikiki Aquarium 115th Anniversary, Honolulu HI

Sun, Jan 6, 2019, East-West Center, Honolulu HI
Obama Foundation