Hawaiian Community People represents the beginnings of a movement in the Hawaiian Islands based on the principle set forth by Jesus Christ to love and care for your neighbor. The organization is founded on the words of Jesus, "that whatever we do for the least of these of His brothers and sisters we have done it for Him". HCP helps people become all that God wants them to be by helping to meet both their physical and spiritual needs. Target groups of the movement are the underprivileged, homeless, and the elderly. The organization’s “Prayers and Praise Nights” involve distribution of care packages, food and fellowship, Christian music, and community prayer. The volunteers that make HCP possible are loving people who want to make a difference and want to give back to a community that has been so good to them. This initial musical outreach “Prayers and Praise” embodies that spirit as it combines the gifts and talents of local Hawaiians to form a spiritual expression back to God reflective of the earthly paradise that is Hawaii. THE PRODUCER: BOB PARR Bob Parr produced Hawaiian Community People: Prayers and Praise. Bob has already had a storied career and continues to create amazing music. His credits include working with the Brian Setzer Orchestra, Cher, Patti Cabrera, Barry White, and Michael Crawford to name a few. He produces, engineers, remixes, and plays various instruments, and fortunately agreed to contribute his incredible talent to produce this initial project from Hawaiian Community People. THE ARTISTS: RAIATEA HELM Raiatea Helm’s virtuoso recordings and performances have already launched her onto the international music scene with extensive concert appearances throughout Japan and Asia. Domestically, she has appeared at venues stretching from New York City to San Francisco. Her appeal continues to flourish across all age groups and reaches across geographical boundaries as she collaborates with legends of Hawaiian music: The Brothers Cazimero, The Makaha Sons, Keali‘i Reichel, Ho‘okena, Auntie Genoa Keawe, and Ledward Ka‘apana. Raiatea has firmly established her reputation as Hawai‘i’s premier chanteuse, as she has won several Na Hoku Hanohano awards and was nominated for a Grammy award in 2006. Her soothing tone lent itself incredibly well to her two tracks on this "Prayers and Praise" project, “Wind and Waves” and “The Difference”. SEAN NA'AUAO Sean Na’auao is a Slack Key guitarist and vocalist, composer and producer and has won Hawaii’s prestigious Na Hoku Hanohano Awards multiple times including Island Contemporary Album of the Year for his popular “Fish and Poi”. Recognized for his exceptional vocal ability, he made Frank Hewitt’s traditional Hawaiian composition, “Kapilina,” a famous hit. Sean can’t remember a time when music wasn’t a part of his life. His career in music encompasses everything including composing original songs, producing himself and other artists, lead and background singer, bandleader, concert promoter as well as the founder of an independent record label, Poi Pounder. Sean was a founding member of the Mana’o Company, a group that made a huge mark on the Hawaiian music scene in the 80s and 90s, using beautiful four part vocal harmony (sounding something like the Four Tops, but Hawaiian). His repertoire runs from the most contemporary of island music to the heartfelt traditional Hawaiian mele. Sean’s contributions on this Hawaiian Community People project include the soulful “Jesus You’re My Rock” and upbeat island track “The Way”. CORY OLIVEROS Cory is an up and coming young talent on the Honolulu music scene. Frequently offering his talents to the various resort lounges in Waikiki, Cory's style is a mixture of soulful pop and cool jazz. His latest release, "Repertoire" is a brilliant collection of Cory's take on his favorite covers he performs at his shows. Cory's two tracks from this "Prayers and Praise" Project include the emotionally-charged "Changed" and island-rhythm track "Bring You Glory". SEAN ROBBINS Sean "Olanui" Robbins is a Puna, Hawaiʻi raised triple-threat talent and is quickly earning a reputation as a kī hōʻalu (slack-key) rising star and a haku mele (Hawaiian songwriter). Sean can be found performing in festivals and annual shows throughout Hawaii as well as various music venues on Oahu. Sean lent his silky smooth vocal talent to the tracks, "Faithful Eyes" and "Grace and Mercy". GLENN MEDEIROS Glenn Medeiros began his musical career at the age of 10 when he helped his father entertain guests on his tour bus on the island of Kauai. In 1986, at the age of 16, Medeiros won a local radio talent contest in Hawaii when he performed a cover version of George Benson's "Nothing's Gonna Change My Love for You" which was subsequently produced into an album by a small local independent label. A visiting radio executive, Guy Zapoleon, from KZZP in Phoenix, Arizona heard the song and took the record back to Phoenix, where, through word of mouth, it became a national hit. Later, a worldwide hit, it reached #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spent four weeks at number one on the UK Singles Chart in July 1988.[3] It reached #3 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart. In 1988, he recorded the single "Un Roman d'amitié" (Friend You Give Me a Reason), a duet in French with Elsa Lunghini. He also achieved a 1990 United States #1 hit duet with Bobby Brown titled "She Ain't Worth It".[4] The same track peaked at #12 in the UK Singles Chart.[3] He had another hit duet with Ray Parker, Jr. titled "All I'm Missing Is You" which peaked at #32 in the US. In 1989, Medeiros recorded "Under Any Moon" with The Jets, which was included on the soundtrack of The Karate Kid, Part III. Medeiros has written nearly two hundred songs, many of which have been recorded by various artists throughout the world. On July 1, 2015, Medeiros was appointed President of St. Louis School, an all boys school in Honolulu Oahu. He was gracious to lend his talents to this Hawaiian Community People project and recorded the track, “We Will Rise”. BARRETT AWAI Barrett Awai is no stranger to recording and performing Christian music. Throughout the years, he has ministered in many churches throughout Hawaii with his wife Tara. They released the single "Forever is Your Love" in 2012 and were also part of the compilation album, "Love, Love, Love" in 2010. Barrett is also the recipient of a Na Hoku Hanohano award. Barrett serves the Fellowship of Christian Athletes as their Hawaii Campus Director. For this "Prayers and Praise" project, he recorded the track, "You Are With Me". LEHUA KALIMA A Big Island Native, Lehua Kalima moved to Oahu to attend Kamehemeha Schools in 7th grade. During her schooling at Kamehemeha, Lehua and her good friends Nalani Choy and Angela Morales created the musical group Na Leo Pilimehana. Their senior year, they won Honolulu’s Brown Bags to Stardom radio competition, performing for an audience of thousands at the Waikiki Shell and effectively launching a long and fruitful career. With twenty-three albums and 20 Na Hoku Hanohano awards under their belts, Na Leo continued to record and serenade the world with their gorgeous melodies. Lehua’s talent extends beyond the sultry tone it lends to the group’s sound and her lyrics have been award winning and memorable. Prevailing with three Na Hoku Hanohano Awards for Best Song of the Year in 1996 for “Flying With Angels,” in 1999 for “Rest of Your Life” and in 2001 for “Saving Forever,” Lehua thrives in an unmatched category as a lyricist. In 2010, Lehua began writing what would become her first solo album, Rising In Love. The material was decidedly different than Na Leo music, and Lehua felt that it would work better as a solo project. After receiving the blessings of her Na Leo bandmates, Lehua began writing and refining with musicians and producers Shawn Pimental and Michael Grande. Three years of hard work later, Rising In Love was released in late 2011. With 10 original songs, Rising In Love, has been called “magical,” “rich in romance,” and “classic Lehua at her best. Lehua performs regularly at various music venues around Oahu. For this Hawaiian Community People project, Lehua recorded the beautiful ballad, “Refuge”. THE MUSICIANS This first Hawaiian Community People Project was blessed to have so many gifted musicians lending their talents to the tracks. NOEL OKIMOTO Noel Okimoto played all percussion, and has worked with many artists over the years, including Jake Shimabukuru, Theresa Bright, Kapono Beamer, Jimmy Borges, and Peter Moon to name a few. Noel has an extensive background in jazz music and has also released his own solo work called, "Ohana" in 2004. BRUCE HAMADA Bruce Hamada played bass on this project, and has worked with the likes of Henry Kapono, Keili'i, Reichel, Herb Ohta, and the Peter Moon Band. He also released a solo project called, "Two For the Road" in 2005. IMUA GARZA Imua Garza played acoustic guitar on six of the HCP tracks, and has recorded with New Hope Oahu Church, John Cruz, Kimie Miner, and the Opihi Pickers. Imua serves as Worship Pastor of Christ Centered Community Church in Honolulu with his wife Tiffa Garza. BRYAN KESSLER Bryan Kessler played acoustic guitar on five of the HCP tracks and has recorded with Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, Darlene Ahuna, the Hawaiian Style Band, and Raiatea Helm. He also collaborated with Steve Jones on a series of instrumental projects, including, "Relax and Sleep". ALAN AKAKA Alan Akaka played Hawaiian Steel Guitar on this HCP project, and has recorded previously with Kuana Torres Kahele, Raiatea Helm, and Na Palapalai. Alan performs regularly throughout Oahu and teaches at the Alan Akaka School of Hawaiian Music. BRITTNI PAIVA Brittni Paiva played ukulele on this HCP project and has already had an amazing solo career. She is a multi award winning ukulele instrumentalist from Hilo, Hawaii. She began her journey with piano lessons at the age of four. In the subsequent years, Brittni has picked up the drums, bass, guitar as well as countless other instruments. When Brittni was 11, she picked up the ukulele, and that became her passion. Now at 26 years of age, Brittni has produced a total of 5 CD's, and is now working on her 6th CD which is slated to be released soon. From pop, alternative, to now EDM (Electronic Dance Music), Brittni transforms the ukulele and endeavors to make it front and center. Brittni has also pioneered the looping technique when applied to the ukulele, as you can see in some of her YouTube videos. DEBORAH BROOKS Deborah is a gifted celloist and contributed her skills to this HCP project. She works mostly in Texas and in 2011 was on the project, "The Valley" by the rock group Eisley. THE BACKGROUND SINGERS Hawaiian Community People is grateful for the backgound vocal work contributed by Stephanie Valderrama, Cory Oliveros, and Josh Howell. THE SONGWRITERS JOHN HERSHENBERG John Hershenberg co-wrote ten of the eleven tracks and has been writing Christian music since 2006. He has written for his solo project called "Forever in Your Grace" in 2012 dedicated to his son Chris who died in 2011. He produced and wrote for two projects for Stephanie Martinez Valderrama in 2008 and 2010, with whom he co-founded the Texas Christian Songwriters Association. John serves as President of Community People Ministries which supports all efforts of Hawaiian Community People. STEPHANIE VALDERRAMA Stephanie Valderrama co-wrote five of the eleven tracks, including "The Difference", "Changed", "Faithful Eyes", "Wind and Waves" and "We Will Rise". Stephanie has co-written with John Hershenberg since 2008 when she released her first of two solo efforts called, "Stephanie". Stephanie currently serves on the worship team of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, TX and on the Board of Directors for Community People Ministries which supports all efforts of Hawaiian Community People. JULIE HERSHENBERG Julie Hershenberg co-wrote ten of eleven tracks on the HCP project with her father John. She also co-wrote for his solo project in 2012. She has an amazing gift for songwriting and re-writing which made her invaluable for this project which took over 18 months to complete. MICHAEL HERSHENBERG Michael Hershenberg co-wrote "Jesus You're My Rock" recorded by Sean Na'auao with his father John and sister Julie. Michael is in the real estate business and also serves on the worship team for the Salvation Army in Dallas, TX JENNIFER BINGHAM Jennifer Bingham met John Hershenberg when they both attended The King's University seminary in Southlake, TX in 2014-15. They shared a class where journals were written by students and shared with the class. One day, she was sharing a thought about the struggles of life and how she would continue to trust in Jesus while riding the wind and the waves with Him. John asked her if he could use her journal to write a song for the project that would become Hawaiian Community People. She agreed, and with the help of Stephanie Valderrama and Julie Hershenberg, John wrote, "Wind and Waves" which was beautifully-recorded by Raiatea Helm. JEFF MCLEOD Jeff McLeod has written hundreds of Christian songs, some for his own projects as artists and others for worship teams that he has led for various churches. He graciously agreed to lead the American Christian Songwriters Association when John Hershenberg left for Hawaii to serve HCP. He also agreed to lend one of his songs, "Refuge" to the project, which was beautifully-recorded by Lehua Kalima.