Brother and sister Na Lani (which means “serenity of the skies or heaven”) and her brother Sanoe have been singing and playing music since they were children under the tutelage of their father, Raymond Duarte, also a well-known local who
Brother and sister Na Lani (which means “serenity of the skies or heaven”) and her brother Sanoe have been singing and playing music since they were children under the tutelage of their father, Raymond Duarte, also a well-known local who played family functions throughout the island.
The siblings were born and raised on Kaua‘i and now have started their own families, which caused a slight cessation of their music making.
Now they are back on stage much to the delight of many. They sing and play traditional Hawaiian songs and music. It is the music that they heard growing up and they are committed to keeping it alive.
Na Lani says it is one of her great pleasures to see the look of rapture come over the faces of the elders when they hear the old songs.
Sanoe has a traditional Hawaiian falsetto voice and is a masterful guitarist. He states his father, another local talent, Nic Castillo, is an inspiration to him.
His sister, Na Lani, not only sings and play ‘ukulele with Sanoe, but also teams up with other local talent such as Pono Breeze to play gigs throughout Kaua‘i.
Both musicians have other full-time careers as an electrician and as an nurse, but it is the love of the music and their talent that keeps them in demand.
Na Lani’s favorite song is one by another top female Hawaiian falsetto singer and Grammy nominee — Amy Hanaiali‘i Gilliam.
The song is titled “Ku‘u Pilikua,” and it is a beautiful flowing more contemporary Hawaiian language song. Na Lani also is songstress and emcee at the lu‘au at Kilohana Pavilion on Friday evenings.
Lu‘au Kalamaku on the Kilohana property is termed “Kaua‘i’s only theatrical lu‘au” and tells the story of the voyage of the first Hawaiians from their homeland in Tahiti to the Hawaiian Islands.
You can book Na Lani and Sanoe for your special event by calling 482-0144. I saw these incredible young performers at the gala graduation celebration of Shyanne Sadora, one of the winners of the Miss Kaua‘i Filipina Scholarship Pageant.
