Former Wahine takes big step toward singing career
By Ann Miller
Advertiser Staff Writer
Andrea Gomez Tukuafu graduated from Wahine volleyball and the University of Hawai'i in December. She now majors in making dreams come true.
Advertiser library photo
Tukuafu's rendition of the national anthem caught the attention of more than the few thousand who heard her sing at Wahine and Warrior matches the past two years. She is one of the vocalists on the CD "Finding My Way," to be released today. It is Daniel Ho's 16th album and the first "local alternative album" the Na Hoku Hano-hano winner has produced.
Andrea Tukuafu sang the national anthem at UH matches
On "Finding My Way," Ho brings together Lina-Girl Langi, of "Local Kine Grindz," and Tukuafu, Siena Lee and Sachi Sato, in their singing debuts. Tukuafu is featured on "No Resistance" and "Stronger & Stronger," which has a music video. All four sing "Along for the Ride," which features an ukulele solo by Jake Shimabukuro.
Ho plays every other instrument heard on the 12-song album. The CD also features "Saving Forever," the 2001 Hoku Song of the Year Ho co-produced with Lehua Kalima of Na Leo Pilimehana. All other tracks are original tunes composed for each artist.
For Tukuafu, the last few months have been an artistic blur. A week after graduating with a degree in English, and a final-four volleyball appearance, she was in future limbo. She discussed options with her husband, UH senior Torry Tukuafu, and decided to pursue the singing dream she had put on hold in her heart.
Tukuafu took two flexible part-time jobs. The same week, Kenn Yuen, who works here for Ho, called. He had heard the national anthem and read of her aspirations.
Tukuafu sent a tape with two songs — one the anthem — and waited, anxiously. "I knew they wanted 'a look,' " recalled Tukuafu, whose look includes strains of French, Norwegian, Mexican and German. "Maybe I didn't fit what they were looking for."
Until Yuen called back, Tukuafu's live public singing appearances consisted of a third grade talent show, fourth grade children's festival and songs for friends and volleyball fans. Singing always conflicted with sports — her first college scholarship was in basketball — and that helped pay the bills.
Sports also enhanced Tukuafu's determination, concealed off-court by her soft voice and sweet nature, and innate sense of rhythm and stage presence.
Her initial comfort level has grown the past few months, and Tukuafu's drive has overwhelmed Ho, a self-described perfectionist. He is now discussing a solo CD with her, envisioning an "acoustic alternative route, and definitely national — she does have national appeal."
The first time Wahine coach Dave Shoji heard Tukuafu was at the annual team dinner to introduce, and initiate, first-year players. Tukuafu had transferred from Brigham Young-Hawai'i, giving up a starting position and a scholarship, to be closer to Torry, and find her place in Division I.
"She sang the song from her wedding and blew me away," Shoji recalled. "At the time, I thought she should try to make this talent a career."
Ho has lived on the Mainland pretty much since playing his last snare drum in the 1986 St. Louis marching band. He has produced, arranged, composed, engineered and/or performed on 48 records, most notably as leader, keyboardist, producer and composer for the band Kilauea from 1990-97.
His history is smooth jazz, with diversions into slack key, religious, alternative and contemporary Hawaiian. His current diversion is developing local vocalists, in part because voice is the one instrument he cannot master.
"Andrea had the right attitude," Ho said. "Besides having a beautiful voice, and being beautiful, she had this attitude. I think it comes from athletics ... she will do it until she gets it right. She worked so, so, so hard, practicing and checking songs, making sure of the phrasing and making sure every detail is as good as it can be. Her sheer determination makes her great.
"She's pretty awesome. ... Just say she's got everything. I'll qualify it later."
QUICK SETS: Daniel Ho, along with Andrea Gomez Tukuafu and the other "Finding My Way" artists will play a benefit concert at Kaua'i Community College June 22. They will also be at Taste of Honolulu at 6:30 p.m. on June 23, then head to Borders Ward Centre at 9 p.m. They will be at Borders Waikele on June 24, at 2 p.m. ... Next month, Ho, his Band (formerly Kilauea) and the "Finding My Way" artists will play at the Maui Ocean Center (7:30 p.m., July 20, $25 admission), Mamiya Theater (7 p.m., July 2, $20, $15 for 17-under) and Naniloa Hotel in Hilo (7:30 p.m., July 22, $25). ... The Mamiya Theater show will be filmed for TV by Oceanic Cable.
