Jake Kūliaikanu‘u Fernandez

July 13, 2025 • Nate Goore • News

Jake Fernandez's deep commitment to Hawaiian culture, language, and music was shaped early by his summers on Moloka‘i, where his grandmother encouraged him to speak Hawaiian and instilled in him a sense of pride and kuleana. Born and raised in Kāne‘ohe, Jake has dedicated much of his life to passing on that cultural awareness to future generations.

Kūliaikanu‘u's involvement with HIMELE began through his son, Pono, who started learning ‘ukulele at Alan Akaka's Ke Kula Mele School of Hawaiian Music when he was just four years old. Pono later became one of the original members of the NextGen band, made up of standout young kīkā kila (steel guitar) players. As a devoted Ke Kula Mele parent and cultural advocate, Kūliaikanu‘u naturally stepped in to support however he could. When the opportunity arose to emcee a HIMELE steel guitar festival, he brought his background in radio and speech communication to the stage – adding his voice to an effort he views as historically and culturally vital.

Jake is also a writer and musician. He enjoys crafting poetry and original songs, and has a knack for translating popular tunes-like Elvis Presley classics-into Hawaiian, adding depth and cultural nuance with every word. ("Thank you, thank you very much," he jokes in his best Elvis voice.)

For Jake Kūliaikanu‘u Fernandez, HIMELE is more than an organization – it's a lifeline for a cultural treasure. He sees the steel guitar not only as a uniquely Hawaiian invention but as a symbol of Hawai‘i's global impact. "Without HIMELE," he says, "the kīkā kila might have faded from Hawaiian music entirely." He's passionate about keeping that legacy alive through the next generation, guiding youth to carry the story of Joseph Kekuku and the sound of the steel guitar into the future.

Please see the complete tribute here.