Ka`au Crater Boys
Encyclopedia
Kaau Crater Boys were a Hawaiian Contemporary musical duo composed of Ernie Cruz, Jr. (vocals, guitar, bass), Troy Fernandez (ukulele
, vocals). They recorded and released four popular Hawaiian Contemporary albums:
Their work garnered them three Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards, (Nā Hōkū Hanohano means "The Distinguished/Glorious Stars", Hawaii's version of the Grammy Awards) from The Hawaii Academy of Recording Artists
.
The group was named after the extinct Kaau crater in the Palolo section of Oahu
, Hawaii
which is near where the duo were raised.
As part of a collective of artists from the Palolo Housing area of Oahu
, Hawaii
Cruz, and Fernandez still as a loosely based group earned a steady gig at the Elks Lodge which also opened the door for Troy and Ernie to tour Japan for 6 months.
But it wasn't till a last minute gig a few years later at Moose McGillycuddy’s proved the duo still had magic, and the pub became a regular gig - this time as “E.T,” (after the popular film, “ET – The Extra-Terrestrial” and “Ernie/Troy”).
Their first album, “Tropical Hawaiian Day,” released in 1991, marked the official beginning of Troy and Ernie’s 7 year partnership as one of the most successful groups in contemporary island music – Ka’au Crater Boys.
As a duo Cruz played bass, acoustic guitar and handled main vocals for the majority of songs they recorded. Fernandez also played bass, contributed to vocals (mainly as a backing vocalist), but was mostly renowned for his musicianship with the ukulele.
The creation of the Kaau Crater Boys also coincided with the resurgence in local Hawaiian customs and tradition, as well as promoting the renaissance of Hawaiian culture, especially among the local youth.
, near to the Palolo housing community in which Cruz and Fernandez were raised.
Ukulele
The ukulele, ; from ; it is a subset of the guitar family of instruments, generally with four nylon or gut strings or four courses of strings....
, vocals). They recorded and released four popular Hawaiian Contemporary albums:
- Tropical Hawaiian Day(1991)
- Valley Style (1993)
- On Fire (1995)
- Making Waves (1996)
Their work garnered them three Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards, (Nā Hōkū Hanohano means "The Distinguished/Glorious Stars", Hawaii's version of the Grammy Awards) from The Hawaii Academy of Recording Artists
Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts
The Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts is a nonprofit organization formed in 1982 to stimulate interest in the local recording industry and the music of Hawaii.-External links:*...
.
History
The Kaau Crater Boys were formed in the early 1990s by Ernie Cruz Jr. (the son of Ernie Cruz Sr. and brother of Guy and John Cruz who are also local entertainers) and Troy Fernandez.The group was named after the extinct Kaau crater in the Palolo section of Oahu
Oahu
Oahu or Oahu , known as "The Gathering Place", is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands and most populous of the islands in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The state capital Honolulu is located on the southeast coast...
, Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
which is near where the duo were raised.
As part of a collective of artists from the Palolo Housing area of Oahu
Oahu
Oahu or Oahu , known as "The Gathering Place", is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands and most populous of the islands in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The state capital Honolulu is located on the southeast coast...
, Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
Cruz, and Fernandez still as a loosely based group earned a steady gig at the Elks Lodge which also opened the door for Troy and Ernie to tour Japan for 6 months.
But it wasn't till a last minute gig a few years later at Moose McGillycuddy’s proved the duo still had magic, and the pub became a regular gig - this time as “E.T,” (after the popular film, “ET – The Extra-Terrestrial” and “Ernie/Troy”).
Their first album, “Tropical Hawaiian Day,” released in 1991, marked the official beginning of Troy and Ernie’s 7 year partnership as one of the most successful groups in contemporary island music – Ka’au Crater Boys.
As a duo Cruz played bass, acoustic guitar and handled main vocals for the majority of songs they recorded. Fernandez also played bass, contributed to vocals (mainly as a backing vocalist), but was mostly renowned for his musicianship with the ukulele.
The creation of the Kaau Crater Boys also coincided with the resurgence in local Hawaiian customs and tradition, as well as promoting the renaissance of Hawaiian culture, especially among the local youth.
Etymology
The name Kaau Crater Boys refers to Kaau Crater, an extinct volcano above the Palolo Valley of OahuOahu
Oahu or Oahu , known as "The Gathering Place", is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands and most populous of the islands in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The state capital Honolulu is located on the southeast coast...
, near to the Palolo housing community in which Cruz and Fernandez were raised.
External links
- Hawaii Magazine (Defective link prior to 1/10)
- Honolulu Star Bulletin
- 'Ukulele tabs for Ka'au Crater Boys songs
- Troy Fernandez Biography