When I think of great Hawaiian female singers, I can only think of one undiscovered woman. That’s right, she is a woman by heart and by everything she does. She lets nothing stop her from doing her thing, and if
When I think of great Hawaiian female singers, I can only think of one undiscovered woman. That’s right, she is a woman by heart and by everything she does.
She lets nothing stop her from doing her thing, and if she has an opinion she is not afraid to express it. Her voice is so big and beautiful you think of Aretha Franklin and Raiatea Helm put together.
But don’t be fooled, she is Kaua‘i’s one-of-a-kind natural treasure. As soon as she opens her mouth, she leaves you mesmerized and in awe. Loved by many, hated by a few people who don’t matter, she is one artist who is sizzling right now and is creating a buzz in Hawai‘i today.
So watch out for the queen, the one and only Kaua‘i Tita: Ms. Chanel Waipu‘ilani Flores. She is definitely coming for that number one spot. So ladies step up your vocal game and keep on point, because she “give um!”
A local girl raised in Anahola, Flores has a catchy song in her hands: the “Tita Song,” composed by Ariki Foster, owner/engineer/producer of Dubb City Productions, featuring Keola Akau and herself.
Flores has been playing on the air on several Kaua‘i radio stations for awhile and distributes her music on iTunes for her fans. As you listen to the “Tita Song,” you might think Chanel’s voice is familiar. Well, that’s because not too long ago she was a local favorite radio personality, who co-hosted with Danny Hill on Jamz 98.1 during the morning show.
Flores has been professionally singing for almost 11 years, straight out of high school, and has not stopped since. Her roots are deep in the contemporary Hawaiian music world, because she was inspired first by her grandpa, Kalani Flores, a well-established Kaua‘i musician who passed away in 2007. Her grandpa has worked with other Hawaiian legends like Lady Ipo Kahaunaele and Garrett Santos to name a couple. Besides contemporary Hawaiian music, she dabbles with no fear in other genres like R&B, hip-hop and reggae.
Always on the move, she travels back and forth from O‘ahu to Kaua‘i as she does performances for Tihati Productions, owned by Tihati and Cha Thomptson. So be on the lookout for her, and no be shame to ask her for a picture. She is amazingly humble, and that’s her motto.
“You always have to be humble and humility is the key in this business,” she told me in a recent interview.
Not only is Chanel known as a great singer, she is a talented composer that was also recognized for her talent of writing songs by receiving seven awards at the 2009 Composer Contest held at Kaua‘i Community College.
And she doesn’t stop there; her next big dream/goal is to win the Female Vocalist of the Year at the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards. Her latest performance was at The Shack in Waikiki, but she knows she needs our support to get notice in O‘ahu’s dog-eat-dog world. So look her up on Facebook and link up with her.
Whether you’re a musician wanting to collaborate with her or a new fan just showing some love, Ms. Chanel Flores will always take the time to walaau with you like you have been friends for a long time. Her great personality and music is contagiously fun. Just one listen of the “Tita Song” and you will feel the groove to get it together. Ladies, we have a new female artist in Hawai‘i we can count on for the fun and real independent movement.
