It’s official, Island Sign is the host of this month’s Maui Chamber of Commerce “Business After Hours” event, so mark your calendar for JUNE 30TH 5:00 – 7:00

The entertainment will be provided by a very special talent by the name of Paula Fuga who will be doing a solo performance showcasing her incredible voice, songwriting & ukulele playing. If you are not yet familiar with Paula’s music, you will undoubtedly be hearing more about this rising star. Jack Johnson invited her to perform at the 2008 Kokua Festival which helped her move into becoming a household name.

From an interview in the San Francisco Chronicle, “Fuga credits “American Idol” with opening doors for her within Hawaii – and for giving her a business partner, a production assistant on the show who later helped her start her own record label. Her musical influences include Motown, Marvin Gaye and Aretha Franklin – “she’s my favorite, I love the old-school bluesy style of music” – and Bob Marley; Fuga also sings in the nine-piece roots-reggae band DubKonscious.

“I do the music that’s within me,” Fuga said. “It took a long time to realize that I didn’t have to sing in Hawaiian to make Hawaiian music, because I am Hawaiian.”

In addition to this top notch entertainment, the event will also feature exotic gourmet style grinds from our friends & clients, Star Anise (a familiar vendor at several MACC events) who will be providing Indian and South-East Asian cuisine including Vegetarian Samosas, Chicken Satay Skewers, with peanut sauce & Shrimp Shumai.

The finest in handcrafted local brews will be served, with 3 different award winning flavors from Maui Brewing Company!

Photo Credit © Kathleen Walling Fry

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The first time I saw Paula Fuga play live was a result of my own invitation to play percussion with some musicians I’ve been working with for many years. I brought a pair of congas & discovered the hostess was a client of mine. Some months later, she remembered my congas when she needed to locate a set to loan Paula’s percussionist flying in for a benefit event. I agreed to loan my instrument & was treated to an invitation to watch the soulful performance.

Earlier this year another client, Wings Hawaii, was celebrating their anniversary & I agreed to sponsor the event with some digital printing work, & Paula was the musical guest of honor again.

Here is a glimpse or two into why she is such a popular performer & a source of inspiration through the beauty of her ukulele playing, her songwriting, & most of all, her incredible voice!

The second one was from my event, when Paula let me sit in for a song. I played pretty quite, but i was an honor!