Kohala

Kohala is an acoustic guitar trio based on the Big Island of Hawaii, led by Grammy-winning classical guitarist Charles Michael Brotman alongside Charlie Recaido and Rupert Tripp Jr. Their sound identity is defined by the 'island jazz' aesthetic, a fusion of contemporary jazz structures, classical technique, and traditional Hawaiian slack-key influences.

Brotman's background in formal classical studies provides a melodic rigor that distinguishes the group from more improvisational jazz acts, while Recaido and Tripp bring the rhythmic 'ki ho'alu' (slack-key) sensibility that grounds the music in its Pacific origin. Culturally, they represent a sophisticated evolution of the Hawaiian music renaissance of the 1970s, moving away from vocal-heavy pop toward high-fidelity instrumental compositions. Critically, the group is praised for its pristine production values, often recorded at Brotman's Lava Tracks studio, which emphasizes the natural timbre of the instruments. They occupy a unique space between New Age, Smooth Jazz, and World Music, serving as a bridge for listeners who appreciate the technicality of fingerstyle guitar within a relaxing, atmospheric context.