Kailua Moon
Bio
2025 HKF On the Rise Artists - Kailua Moon
Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-nominated duo Kailua Moon was formed in 2016 by Hawai‘i-born slack key guitarist Danny Carvalho and singer/songwriter & kumu hula Nani Carvalho, originally from Ventura, California. Before coming together as Kailua Moon, both artists spent over a decade performing solo, honing their craft and building strong musical foundations.
Danny & Nani Carvalho
As a duo, or backed by a full band, Kailua Moon blends the warmth of Hawaiian classics with the storytelling soul of country, Americana, and ‘70s rock and roll. Since their debut, they have toured extensively across the U.S., sharing Hawaiian music and culture with audiences nationwide through 2020. During the pandemic, they launched a popular in-studio livestream series that expanded their reach globally and cultivated a loyal online following.
Grammy and Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards nominee Danny Carvalho began his slack key guitar journey at age 10 under the mentorship of Ozzie Kotani. Emerging as one of the leading voices and guitar player in a new generation of slack key artists, Danny’s artistry goes beyond his exceptional skills as a singer and guitarist—he’s also a highly regarded engineer and producer, shaping the sound of Hawai‘i’s music scene. Known for blending tradition with innovation, Danny continues to perform solo with some of Hawai‘i’s most iconic artists and as one half of the celebrated duo Kailua Moon, where he creates beautiful harmonies with his wife, Nani Carvalho.
Nani Carvalho is a talented singer-songwriter raised in Ventura, California. Deeply influenced by her Hawaiian heritage and hula, as well as contemporary musical genres, she has cultivated a unique and diverse artistic style. Known for her high-energy performances and versatile vocals, Nani effortlessly blends blues, rock, folk, Hawaiian, and pop music into her sets. As one half of the duo Kailua Moon, Nani is helping to elevate the music scene, pushing boundaries and captivating audiences with their dynamic sound.
The duo is producing their third full-length album and recently collaborated with Pokémon on the official soundtrack for the 2024 Pokémon World Championships—performing and recording original music for the event, including the beloved Hawaiian classic, “E Komo Mai.”