DA BIO
SLACK KEY KINGS VOL II 2008 RELEASEDonald Kaulia was a original PLAYERS OF INSTRUMENTS member with Butch Helemano between 1984 thru 1988 and appeared on three award winning reggae albums.
Don Kaulia - FREEHAND CD - 1st Solo All Slack Key Instrumental 2001- nominated for Hoku Hanohano and Hawaii Music Awards - Chance Gardner PureSoundCD - OUT OF PRINT
NEW WAVE NATIVES - Slack Key Compilation 2001 - Donald Kaulia 3 slack key tracks - Produced by Milton & Chris Lau of Rhythm & Roots Records - OUT OF PRINT
I KU MAUMAU single - Hoku Award for Pure Hawaiian Compilation 2001 Produced by Audy Kimura & Mark Goto, Don sang & played ukulele & Slack Key Guitar- OUT OF PRINT
I KU MAUMAU - the album, all guitar tracks by Don, nominated at Hoku Awards 2003 Produced by Audy Kimura & Mark Goto - OUT OF PRINT
SLACK KEY IN THE KEY OF ALOHA released in 2003 with Sandi Norton duet slack key guitar stylings of Donald Kaulia - Richard Harrison - GrassShackRecords- Borders Music
SWEET WAHINE, Donald Kaulia Hawaiian Slack Key produced by Milton & Chris Lau available online at Mele.com, Rhythm & Roots Records - September 2007 Release
SLACK GUITAR FESTIVALS LIVE! VOLUME II - KI HO ALU NO KA OI Compilation of slack key artists - Don is featured with his slack key guitar compostiiton 'Manta Ray' available online at Mele.com, Milton & Chris Lau - Rhythm & Roots Records - September 2007 Release
SLACK KEY KINGS VOL II - Scheduled for a 2008 Release
Donald Kauli'a born to natural parents Peter Kauli'a of Naalehu, Big Island & Flora Mayoga (Makahilahila-Oopa-Hoopai) of Hana, Maui. Hanai (adopted) on the second day of birth to Toni & Pete Batino of Lahaina Street, Makaha on Oahu. Raised by Charley & Nani Kauahikaua of Nanakuli. Grandpa John Kauli'a composer most noted for the song 'E Liliu' E. 1st band with Fred & Carl Willing age 9. Raymond Kane sold his 12string Arias guitar for $25 as a 'bowling debt' to Mama Toni. Baba Norman Batino and cousins Bossey Chee & Wendell Kahaleoumi as well as brothers Dennis & David Kauli'a played slack key and ukulele too. Aunty Pauline Kekahuna-Aunty Agnes Wood-Agnes Weisbart, Uncle Johnny Mayoga and AuntySarah of the Makaha Serenaders was always over the Batino house. Sister Doreen Batino was an inspiration as she sang at all the military outlets on Oahu. Classmates Delwyn Beasley, Walter Aiona, Claude Kipi, Kamaka Crabbe, Art Luna, Nofo Savini, Nimrod Galindo, Kaleo Sniffen, Brian Oka, Ricardo Morales, Israel Kamakawiwoole, Sam Brown, Walt Aipolani, Phillip 'Kunia' Galdeira, Atta & Richard Fitzsimmons, David Keamo, Herman 'Butch' Helemano S., Kevin Lee Kwan (Leonard Kwan's son), Andy and Milton Rabanes of 3rd Road Delight...were just some of the mates from Waianae that Donald grew up playing sports and music with. Bands Don created, Son's of Waianae, Makaha Menehunes, Sandalwood and Island Regime. After high school, Donald received several scholarships to attend the University of Hawaii at Hilo such as: Bernice Pauahi Bishop Scholarship, Hawaii Entertainers Scholarship 1980, Hawaiian Civic Club Nanakuli & Waianae, Agnes Cope Scholarship, Kamehameha Schools Alumni Award, Waianae Coast Neighborhood Board and the Waianae Civil Air Patrol Scholarship. In Hilo, Donald danced for George Naope and Godfrey Pascua placing 4th n the 'Kane' hula division 1981. Through Uncle George, Don met the great slack key master Fred Punahoa. Fred inspired Donald to look at slack key by utilizing the art in his own way by not copying 'lick for lick'; instead, innovate and create your own signature. Fred inspired Ledward Kaapana, Nedward Kaapana, Dennis Pavao, Sonny Lim and Gary Haliamau. After college, Don married Wendy Fitzsimmons and gigged all over Waikiki with the help of his dear friend Kawika Gapera Don gigged at Trappers, the Aikane Catamaran Cruises from Kewalo Basin with Jack Ofoia and Al Akaka. Gapera opened many doors for Don in Waikiki with Rod Young at Trappers, Mike Nacapuy, John & Andy Sexton of Simplisity, Mike Setta, Phil Akau, Brickwood Galuteria, George Kuo & Kipapa Rush, Audy Kimura and Mark Goto. Don made time to support Wendy's band 'Leoku' with David Keamo, Richard & Atta Fitzsimmons, Demaine Flores, Nino Kaai. In 1989, Don's day job as an engineer with Hawaiian Dreging moved the family to Maui where he played steady with the late great Dennis Pavao as well as other local island greats like Desmond Antone Haumea, Brian Haia, Albert Kaina, Braddah Francis, Paniani Malaiakini, Jason Sadang, Wilson Kanakaole, Phil Soloteria, Geri Veldez, Roy Kato, Kawika Lum Ho, Jimmy CanHa, Boy Kanae, Billy AhChan, Kevin-Sheldon-Ikaika Browns, Ibanez, Mark Kalawaia, Ernest Puaa and Pekelo Cosma. In 2003, his day job moved Don and family to Kailua Kona on the Big Island where he collaborates with local entertainers Warren Kaneao, Kaiwi Stephens, Gene Akamu, Boy Kamaka & Jamison Wong of Hoaikane, Benson Kam, Satoy & Marcus Wong Yuen, Cy Fernandez, Charley Grace, the gang at ISLAND Breeze Productions, George W, Ahti Mohala, Uncle Willy Perreira, Sonny Lim, Kunia Galdeira, Haumea Antone, Uncle Mat, Tat & Gwen Kamoku, Braddah Mokes & Leon Toomata aka LT Smooth. Music is Don's livelihood.
