Makawalu

E Manono

Warabigami

Dollys Lullaby

Pua Iliahi

Lei O Kaiona

E Pili Mai

Good As I Was To You

Ka Malanai Song

Lei Nani Kalaunu

Halemaumau

Puna Kuu Aloha

Moanikealaonapuamakahikina

5 time Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winner, Nāpua Greig, released her fourth project entitled “Makawalu” earlier this year.  “Makawalu” is an entry in this years Regional Roots Category for the 2018 Grammy Awards. It is a stunning showcase of Nāpua in all the roles she plays in this life. Makawalu opens with a powerful chant, "E Manono", for the high chiefess Manono, known throughout history to have fought and died in battle defending the Hawaiian religion.  Nāpua records a Hawaiian classic, "Dolly's Lullaby" with her mother and daughter, showcasing three generations of perpetuating Hawaiian music traditions.  New compositions, "E Pili Mai" and "Ka Malanai Song" display the beauty of Hawaiian poetry set to haunting melodies.  Makawalu was produced by Grammy award winning producers, Dave Tucciarone and Kamakoa Lindsey-Asing. 

Nāpua Greig was born and raised on the island of Maui, Hawaiʻi.  She attended Kamehameha Schools, a school for Hawaiian children and was groomed to be a Hawaiian music artist.  Nāpua began her solo recording career with the highly anticipated release of Pihana in August 2007. This debut album earned six nominations at the Na Hoku Hanohano Music Awards and later garnered her the “Female Vocalist of the Year” award.  Wayne Harada of the Honolulu Advertiser wrote, “Make room for the kumu (teacher) -turned-songbird on the awards mantle; hers is a refreshing and remarkable debut”.  Desiree Cruz of the Honolulu Weekly said, “Greig makes an impressive debut, sure to be a major contender at the 2008 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards.  Make way as Nāpua Greig takes her place amongst the best and brightest in Hawaiian music.”

In 2010, Nāpua released her sophomore album, Mōhalu.  Mōhalu received a total of four Na Hoku Hanohano Awards in 2011, including “Best Graphics”, “Hawaiian Album of the Year”, “Female Vocalist of the Year”, and the prestigious “Entertainer of the Year”, the only category open to public vote.  Michael Keany of Honolulu Magazine wrote, “ this autobiographical follow-up offers a satisfying progression, both musically and thematically.  Original compositions mix well with standard hula favorites..showcasing Nāpua’s background as an award-winning Kumu Hula (Hula practitioner).

In 2013 Nāpua released her first holiday album, Lei Kulāia.  Although it was a holiday album, it garnered Nāpua a top spot in the nominations for Female Vocalist of the Year at the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards in 2014.  Nāpua graciously withdrew her nomination as her mother, long time Hawaiian singer, Hulu Lindsey, was also nominated that same year.  Lei Kulāia won “Best Christmas Album” in 2014.

Pixar’s Andrea Warren and composer James Ford Murphy came to Hawaii, attended the Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards in search of a male and a female voice for Disney/Pixar’s short, “LAVA”.  After watching the top female vocalists of Hawaii perform that evening, the part was offered to Nāpua.  James Murphy says she was chosen because, “Nāpua’s voice is extremely versatile, powerful and explosive, like a volcano”.  LAVA was released in 2014 preceding Disney movie “Inside and Out”.

It is important to note that Nāpua is not just a highly decorated Female Vocalist in Hawaiian music.  She is also an award winning Kumu Hula, or Hula Master.  She has led her halau (hula school) to numerous victories in the past 21 years of their existence.  Nāpua’s halau consistently places in the top 5 at the Merrie Monarch Hula Competition, dubbed “the Olympics of Hula”, as it is the most prestigious and visible hula competition in the world, streaming live, worldwide, on the internet.  Nāpua has gained respect in the Hawaiian music community because of her deep commitment to the indigenous culture of Hawaii, her commitment to her community, her strong sense of place, and her display of humility in all things, humility being central to the Hawaiian value system.

Napua Greig

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