Pumehana
The Hawaiian Harpist
Delivering elegant, emotionally resonant harp music for luxury weddings, cultural gatherings, private events, retail activations, and special celebrations across Hawai’i.
Queen Emma Summer Palace , Nu’uanu, O’ahu, Hawai’i
Aloha,
I’m Pumehana
The Hawaiian Harpist
For more than Four Decades…
I’ve had the honor of creating musical experiences for weddings, private celebrations, hotels and restaurants, and cultural gatherings throughout Hawai‘i and internationally.
My journey with the harp has never followed a traditional path — and that has become my greatest strength.
Moana Hotel’s Banyan Veranda, 1990s — Performed Monday through Saturday, 7:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m., at the Sheraton Moana Surfrider’s Banyan Veranda Restaurant in Waikīkī, O'ahu, Hāwai'i (1990–1998). Photography and make-up by Kauila Kawelo Barber.A Musical path shaped by Intuition, Curiousity, and Intention
I began with foundational private lessons, but much of my development came from years of self-guided exploration.
After stepping away from formal study, I spent nearly a decade teaching myself, listening deeply, and shaping my own understanding of technique, tone, and musical storytelling.
Later, seeking inspiration beyond classical limitations, I learned from international jazz harpists and mentors among them Harvi Griffin, Sylvia Woods, Deborah Henson-Conant, and Riza Printup — whose expressive, fluid approach aligned with my natural musical instincts.
This blend of structure and self-discovery gave me a unique voice — one rooted in intention rather than tradition, and in artistry rather than conformity.
Today, my style moves effortlessly between genres: Hawaiian music, pop, contemporary love songs, classic rock, soundtrack pieces, and timeless wedding selections. My approach is guided by sensitivity to the moment, to the couple, and to the setting.
Top photo: 1968 posing for my Mom, Tutu and my Godmother. Middle photo: Summer 1968. Cousins John, Tom ,then Honolulu Symphony violinist, older sister Momi on the harp and myself sound surfing. Bottom photo: 1988 Roy's Restaurant Hawai'i Kai, Sunday BrunchA philosophy rooted in hawaiian sensibility
Waimea Valley’s Pikake Pavillion — a wedding ceremony beneath the grand banyan, its sweeping canopy sheltering the couple, their families, and the joy of the day. Wedding planning by Mango Season Weddings. Photography by @tehlortakzphotoI approach every ceremony with intention:
To create a soundscape that honors the couple, the place, and the unfolding emotion of the day — weaving meaning into every note.
This grounded, heart-centered approach comes from Hawai‘i itself. The land, the ocean, the light, and the movement of nature all inform my playing. My music is not just performed in Hawai‘i — it is shaped by Hawai‘i.
My role on your wedding day
Ready for your "I Do" in the Wedding Chapel at the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina. Wedding music is more than timing and transitions; it becomes the emotional architecture of your ceremony.
My presence is:
steady
grounded
graceful
attuned to the energy in the space
I arrive early, anchor the atmosphere, and hold the emotional through-line from prelude to postlude. Each moment is shaped with intention, creating a sense of calm and beauty that supports your experience.
Couples often tell me they felt at ease the moment the harp began. That is the heart of my work. Offering music that brings comfort, resonance, and a feeling of timelessness to your day.
My Role at Your Event or Celebration
2023 Make A Wish Hawai’i Gala, Sheraton Waikiki Ballroom. Electro-Acoustic Harp + Digital Saxophone Duo with Multi Instrumentalist Rockford “Rocky” Holmes Music shapes the atmosphere of any gathering — creating tone, presence, and emotional continuity long before guests exchange words.
In these settings, my role is to be:
intentional
attentive
elegant
responsive to the flow of the experience
Whether performing for a luxury retail activation, a private dinner, a holiday celebration, or a cultural gathering, I approach each event with the same level of artistry and care. I arrive early to understand the space, collaborate seamlessly with your team, and shape a soundscape that enhances the environment without overwhelming it.
Clients often share that the harp brings warmth, refinement, and a sense of calm focus to the room — inviting guests to slow down, feel present, and linger a little longer.
That is the purpose of my work beyond the wedding day:
To elevate the experience, support the event's intention, and create a memorable atmosphere through sound.
Private performance at the Shangri-La Singapore, July 2024 — photographed with Hōkū, my traveling harp, accompanied by my trusted handler. Aloha Attire generously provided by Manaola.A Legacy of care, excellence, and presence
Throughout my career, I’ve built a reputation for reliability, warmth, and high-level professionalism. I’ve performed at luxury venues, cultural events, private estates, celebrations of life, corporate gatherings, international weddings, and intimate elopements — and the guiding values remain the same:
care
integrity
refinement
beautiful musical storytelling
My long-standing partnerships with planners, venues, and musicians, along with my dedicated administrative support, allow me to give every couple a seamless, elevated experience.
Music that feels like home
Whether performed solo, in a duo, or with a trio, the harp brings elegance and emotional depth to your celebration.
My goal is simple:
To create a moment ~ a memory ~ that feels like home, like Hawai‘i, like the most genuine expression of your love.
I would be honored to be a part of your day.
Harry Winston Waikīkī — Holiday retail activation, January 2025. Photography by Hiro Ikeda.