Friends of HIMELE

Jake Kūliaikanu‘u Fernandez

Now living in Kahalu‘u, Jake (Kūliaikanu‘u) chose his home to be closer to the country and the roots of the land he cherishes. A lifelong fan of Hawaiian music, his favorite song – "Ku‘u Home O Kahalu‘u" by Olomana – has stayed with him since its release in 1976, capturing the spirit of the place he now calls home.

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, retired from Hawaiian Electric Company in 2023, now works as a project manager for a major construction company. Even outside of work, he stays grounded through community service – volunteering at Kaiko‘o ‘Ōiwi to clear lo‘i kalo fields in Kāne‘ohe. He believes that helping restore the ‘āina also restores the soul and encourages others to give their time in the same way.

Outside of HIMELE and work, Kūliaikanu‘u is always building or creating. He spent 16 years restoring his 1950 Willys M38 Jeep – an old military vehicle he now cruises proudly with Hawaiian imagery, including crossed paddles, a kahili, and the date of the Hawaiian overthrow emblazoned on the hood. He also built a lanai, planted rows of ti leaves, and is working on a rooftop deck with views of the Ko‘olau range and Kāne‘ohe Bay, near the birthplace of the Hōkūle‘a.

Slideshow photo credits: Don Rostow-1,2,3,4,5; Don Touchi-6,7; Alan Akaka-8

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.