Biography
Born in Hawaii, Lopaka Colón Jr. is an established percussionist and multi “Na Hoku Hanohano” award winner (Hawaii’s version of the Grammy’s). He’s the son of the famous percussionist Augie Colón, and has since a young age followed in his father steps – he attended the University of Hawaii for 6 years majoring in Ethnomusicology.
In the late 90’s, Lopaka was part of the successful Pure Heart band, rated in the top-50 Musical Groups of All Times of Hawaii and also one of Hawaii’s youngest musical groups ever to take the local music scene by storm in such a short period. The group later evolved into Colón (named in honor of Lopakaʻs father). Both bands won the People’s Choice award at the Hokuʻs as Favorite Entertainers of the Year for 2 years in a row. He has collaborated with majority of Hawaii’s top-notch musicians either doing studio work, live performances, or just having fun “Kanikapila”(musical jam).
Lopaka is a member of the Waitiki Exotica Septet, in which he performs percussion and exotic birds and animals sounds, and he is also a key component in the success of several local bands like the Grammy-nominated Wild Hawaiian (a project with the Henry Kapono band), the Barefoot Natives, the Makana trio, The Mana Maoli Collective, Don Tiki, to name a few. He has performed with many other Hawaii’s top musicians, including Mick Fleetwood’s Island Rumours Band and Michael McDonald.