ABOUT
Bula
Bula Akamu is a musician, singer/songwriter, and recording artist based out of the Big Island of Hawaii, serving all of the Hawaiian islands and mainland US.
Growing up in a small sugar plantation in Pahala, Hawaii, his family of entertainers ignited within him a love for music which took him to Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. There he studied music education and performance, earning a Master’s degree in Guitar. Upon returning, he created his entertainment company, Bula Music & Performing Arts whose mission is to bring high energy and set the perfect mood through an array of live music and Polynesian entertainment options.
While his main focus is on Contemporary and Hawaiian music, his deep tones and sweet falsetto voice transcends music genres to create a unique sound and experience.
Family
Bula lives on the Big Island of Hawaii with his wife, Ash, and his son, Anai.
Their love & endless support inspire every lyric he writes & each note he sings. Together they enjoy camping, ocean activities, and adventuring around the islands.
Book Bula for your event
Bula is known for his charisma as an MC and ability to work the crowd, feel the mood, and create the perfect customized music selection for you and your wedding guests. Bula and his team are connected with you during every planning step prior to your wedding day.
Bula’s other love is teaching and after years teaching elementary school music and Hawaiian studies, he founded his own music school, Akamu Music Academy. The academy focuses on self development, health, and perpetuating island culture through living in pono (righteousness). His academy provides free weekly lessons and scholarships to those interested in furthering their music. Kumu Bula’s students have performed all over the Big
Island and have won numerous awards sharing their music and aloha.
All donations go to the students for new instruments, scholarships, private lessons, and operating the Academy
akamu music
academy
This is my kumu story...
On my way to a gig, I ran into the principal of Kahakai Elementary School.
She had heard about my previous musical leadership roles and she offered me an opportunity.
She took me to a storage room back at the school where there were stacks and
stacks of hundreds of dusty, unstrung, untuned ukuleles.
This is my kumu story...
On my way to a gig, I ran into the principal of Kahakai Elementary School.
She had heard about my previous musical leadership roles and she offered me an opportunity.
She took me to a storage room back at the school where there were stacks and
stacks of hundreds of dusty, unstrung, untuned ukuleles.
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She asked if I would be interested taking on a project that would require me to restore these instruments and then design a class that would show children the joy that music can bring.
That summer, I spent every week restoring those ukuleles.
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I know what its like to be the slowest learner in the room. I thought about this as I prepared to become Kumu.
I drew on my own challenges as a student, and used the power of music to shape the character and confidence of my students just as it did for me.
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The number of students grew from six to over 100, and so did my responsibility as Kumu. I started to teach Hawaiian studies classes that used music as a foundation for the curriculum, and this program reached a level I could have never imagined. After 6 years of teaching at Kahakai, my students last performance reached an epic level.
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As a very difficult decision, I left the school to pursue my music career. I couldn't leave my love for teaching entirely, and opened up my garage, a free place for my students to continue to foster their love of music. Today Akamu Music Academy continues to grow as a music and mentorship program supporting self directed, autodidact learning.
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My doors are always open to my community, showing the power that music holds.
My kumu story continues...
Shoot me an email to find out how you can be a part of the Akamu Music Academy