Several well-known Hawaiian musicians say a Japan-based promoter failed to pay them for a recent run of shows, leaving artists out thousands of dollars and forcing at least one headline concert to be canceled. The dispute has left performers who count on tour income in a financial bind and has already sparked talk of legal action. The promoter they identify at the center of it all is Masa Honda.
Artists Say Promoter Owes Tens Of Thousands
According to Hawaii News Now, Grammy-nominated musician Weldon Kekauoha says Honda owes him about $60,000 for 11 events over roughly six weeks. Kekauoha told the outlet he has worked with Honda for more than 15 years and that the promoter "has been going dark a little bit." The last and largest concert of the tour, which drew about 500 people, was canceled on Saturday, and performers took the stage only to explain to the audience why the show would not go on.
Who Was On Tour
The lineup included Grammy winner Kalani Peʻa, Grammy-nominated vocalist Natalie Ai Kamauʻu, and the award-winning trio Na Hoa. Na Hoa chose to cancel their scheduled shows rather than continue promoting concerts that might not happen. "We didn’t want false advertisement that we were coming," Na Hoa member Ikaika Blackburn told Hawaii News Now. Artists said they opted to pull the plug in solidarity with ticket buyers rather than risk fans turning up to find no performance.
Names And Stakes
Kalani Peʻa is a multiple Grammy winner and one of Hawaii’s most prominent contemporary artists, according to GRAMMY.com. Weldon Kekauoha is a veteran performer and Grammy-nominated singer listed on the GRAMMY site. Na Hoa’s long track record of awards and touring is documented in local coverage, including reporting from Maui News. The caliber of the artists involved helps explain why missed payments are being felt far beyond a single weekend of shows.
Japan Keeps Hawaiian Music Afloat
Japan has long been a crucial market for Hawaiian musicians, offering steady bookings and opportunities for cultural exchange that help keep careers sustainable. Coverage of Hawaii’s music economy has noted that touring and festival work in Japan is often a key revenue stream for island artists, according to Hawaii Business.
What Comes Next
Kekauoha says he is seeking legal help as the artists work to recover what they say they are owed, and performers told reporters they have had little direct response from the promoter. Organizers and musicians are asking ticket buyers and presenters to hold on to receipts and any documentation while they pursue possible remedies. For now, the dispute remains active and unresolved.
