Kupa`āina: The Musicians
Kalama Cabigon, Kupa`āina's chanter and vocalist, is also a slam poet, storyteller, and a Hawaiian history, culture and language consultant. He is the group's mascot and all-round cheerleader as well. He has also been spotted onstage in a number of local plays in both English and Hawaiian, most recently Kamapua`a. A Kapahulu boy, Kalama graduated from St. Louis and the University of Hawai`i and is a member of the Order of Kamehameha.
Kevin Chang sings, composes and plays ukulele. A graduate of Castle High School, he started strumming the `ukulele as a member of the UH football team's lounge dorm rat crew. He works as an attorney in the field of entertainment law and is a field representative for the trust for Public Lands.. Kevin gets the band together on weekends for practice in Kahalu`u.
Mark Lutwak, keyboard, melodica, and accordion, went to three different high schools. He has played and recorded with bands on both coasts including The Legendary "Happy" New Yorkers, Cathy Croce and Other People's Husbands, Maacho's Cool Connections and Rats As Big As Bunnies. Mark recently retired as the artistic director for Honolulu Theatre for Youth and resides in Kāne`ohe with the talented and lovely Y York.
Alastar McNeil, guitar, also plays with an African marimba band called Mabanzi, and a reggae group called Stepping Stone. He also accompanies his slack-key playing wife Miwa, on both `ukulele and guitar. His day job is building `ukuleles and teaching guitar and `ukulele. He is also a painter, in both oils and acrylics.
Jay Santos, drummer, is a graduate of Castle High School and resides in Kahalu`u. He also plays with Omega Station and played and recorded with the popular band Country Fire, whose recent album is taking Hawai`i by storm. Jay works as a landscaper and mechanic, and also does carpentry, roofing, auto body work and paint.
Stanley Tibayan sings and plays guitar and electric bass. He is a grandfather, veteran performer, and former swimming star from Farrington High School, where he also won his school talent show. He enjoys teaching canoe paddling and music to the youth and also plays with Keahi Blue. Stan drives a refuse truck for the City & County and lives in Kahalu`u.
Less about the band. . . . . . More about the band.