Taimane

Hapa Sāmoan virtuoso Taimane is known for her spellbinding concerts and fierce, inventive ‘ukulele style that morphs from classical to rock to flamenco. The Hawai’i-born artist has earned four Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards, including Favorite Entertainer of the Year in 2019 and 2023. She’ll perform with a full band in her Summer Fest set.

Taimane’s name means “diamond” in Samoan, perfectly reflecting the different facets of her nature. Whether delicately finger-picking through Bach or radically ripping through Led Zeppelin, she stretches her instrument far beyond the familiar melodies of her native islands. When Don Ho caught wind of the talented teen, he invited her to join his venerable variety show at the Waikiki Beachcomber, further fueling her desire to perform for and connect with audiences.

With sold-out shows across the United States and Europe, her live performances have become must-see events. The same can be said of her videos, which have been viewed well over 50 million times and helped earn over 500,000 online followers. Grammy.com called her “a captivating performer” and NPR’s Bob Boilen noted how “so much magic unfolded in such short order” during her Tiny Desk performance, with “fiery flamenco, a famous phrase from the opera Carmen, a touch of Bach and more than a nod to her Hawaiian homeland.” From tribal hymns to flamenco infernos, Taimane’s artistic vision proves the sky’s the limit for her and her ‘ukulele.