Paula Fuga’s heartfelt voice has often been compared to Lauryn Hill’s—a melancholy soulful one so powerful, it’ll catch you off guard. The Waimanalo native credits her talents to her childhood circumstances, which unfortunately aren’t really that unique to native Hawaiians. You know: displacement, colonialism, the denigration of an entire culture . . . which led to economic disempowerment, evictions from beaches and lands, health issues, etc.
Though Fuga doesn’t identify her music as traditional Hawaiian, it still contains twinges of her roots: the nose flute, the ukulele, the lyrical imagery. Arrive early enough to catch a talent who hasn’t quite caught on yet on the mainland.
Fri., Aug. 29, 7:30 p.m., 2008
