What are you reading?

The first is called "Songbird of Hawai'i: My Memories of Aunty Lena," Lena Machado's biography by Pi'olani Mota and Kihei deSilva. ... Being an artist reading this, you learn what the lifestyle is, especially being a female vocalist and especially in Hawai'i. ... This other one was edited by Rodney Morales, called "Ho'i Ho'i Hou," a tribute to my uncle George Helm and Kimo Mitchell. ... Being Hawaiian, and being a young person, it gave me a better understanding of what my uncle and Kimo Mitchell and the Protect Kaho'olawe Ohana went through trying to protect the island and save Kaho'olawe. ...

How did you discover them?

The Lena Machado book was given to me by Kamehameha Schools when I participated in the song contest that year, and it's really nice, it's very well done. ... I take it with me everywhere I go, especially on the road. And "Ho'i Ho'i Hou" I got myself at Borders. I'm interested in things that pertain to Hawaiian culture, especially Hawaiian music, because I learn a lot from reading these things.

Does reading about Machado's experiences help you as a growing vocalist and performer now touring solo?

I can sort of relate to how she was as a person growing up, being very tita, a country girl. And she ended up to be a very classy woman, as they explain in her story, and also in her music. ... She was a great role model, but unfortunately I never met her. But I'm proud I get to sing her songs, and it's really great someone made a book about her life — it was a great life she lived.