FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Waiākea Hawaiian Volcanic Beverages brings together island reggae music stars Dillon Pakele and Jordan T on a new song “From the Islands” - a letter of aloha to Hawai‘i
Hilo, Hawai‘i - Native Hawaiian singer-songwriter Dillon Pakele has released his newest song, “From the Islands,” featuring Jordan T. The two local artists from O‘ahu and Maui were brought together by Hilo’s Waiākea Hawaiian Volcanic Beverages, which helped to produce the track. “From the Islands” is available to stream online now at Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube.
The origin of “From the Islands” was inspired by Dillon’s experience of being away from home while attending college in Nebraska. “When I first came up with this concept, that was me sharing about what it’s like to be from Hawai‘i and wanting to share that feeling of pride and aloha with the world. It was my goal to make people feel some of that.” Dillon says.
“This song represents legacy and the reason ‘why’ for me,” Dillon says. The younger Pakele is the son of the late Kaulana Pakele, lead singer of ‘Ehukai and Mana‘o Company. “Every song I make, Dad’s connected to in some way. The bass line of the song was recorded previously by my Dad and recreated here by Imua Garza.”
The updated track is a celebration of island community, roots, and values. It features Jordan T, an island reggae fusion artist, who has an international following and over 11,000,000 streams on Spotify alone. Waiākea’s relationship with Dillon began through its Kōkua Initiative, which sponsored him and his sister, Kamalei, at Kapena School of Music. The company brought him on officially as ambassador in 2021 and approached Dillon with the idea of producing a new song with another Waiākea ambassador. The idea came to fruition last year during a jam session among Waiākea brand ambassadors at the company's headquarters, where Dillon and Jordan had the opportunity to connect and perform.
“To support someone like Dillon to grow, thrive, and inspire our community to do the same, means so much to me.” Geoli Ng, Director of the Waiākea Kōkua Initiative, says.
Founded in 2012, Waiākea’s purpose is guided by its commitment to transforming the bottled water, beverage, and consumer packaged goods industry, moving away from singular profit and towards a triple-bottom-line model that emphasizes people, the planet and the aloha spirit. In the years since its inception, the company has partnered with athletes, artists, entertainers, and hundreds of nonprofits throughout the islands, across the continental US, and around the globe with Pump Aid in Malawi to help those in need. Having previously worked with Aaron Kai to provide art kits for keiki and in partnering here with Dillon Pakele and Jordan T, Waiākea continues to support local talent and inspire people to live aloha through arts and music.
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Media Inquiries:
Jason Walter, jason@waiakea.com, 808-728-4693
Daniel Kleinkopf, daniel@waiakea.com, 831-915-8593
ABOUT
Waiākea Hawaiian Volcanic Beverages
Waiākea was founded in Hilo, Hawai‘i in 2012 as the first Hawaiian volcanic, triple bottom line premium water of its kind, adapting an unparalleled platform of healthy, sustainable, and ethical attributes and initiatives. Waiākea’s mission is to provide healthy, sustainable Hawaiian Volcanic Water while contributing to and promoting clean water access, conservation and education for those in need in Hawai‘i and throughout the world. Waiākea’s purpose is guided by its commitment to transforming the bottled water, beverage, and consumer packaged goods industry, moving away from singular profit and towards a triple-bottom-line model that emphasizes people, planet and the aloha spirit.
Dillon Pakele
Dillon Pakele’s passion for inspiring others and sharing his love for music has come a long way. Dillon was born on the Big Island and raised on the West Side of O‘ahu, where he graduated from Kapolei High School. Dillon learned that storytelling through music is a great way to stay connected to his Hawaiian roots. His father was the late Kaulana Pakele, of the iconic local bands ‘Ehukai and Mana'o Company. Carrying on his fathers' legacy, Dillion stays connected to him through music and hopes to teach the generations to come. Dillon’s first single, entitled “Forgive Me”, featured popular Polynesian recording artist Fiji, and his EP, Faith, was released in 2022.
Jordan T
Jordan T is an independent artist of austronesian/ilokano/dutch heritage. This international Island Reggae Fusion artist has a growing audience of over 11 million organic streams on spotify alone and is no stranger to the global reggae touring circuit which has taken him throughout Europe, the US, Oceania, and more. Jordan T has toured the globe with and played guitar/vocals with the legendary international reggae band, Katchafire (NZ), and also the Maui band, Maoli (HI). His music is a mainstay on Hawaiian and international reggae radio stations in O’ahu, Maui, Big Island of Hawai’i, Guam, Tahiti, Cali, Japan, and various European stations. His most renowned singles include his #1 Hawaiian hit, “Sunset Tonight” (2013), “Closer To You” (2015), “Find Ya Riddim” (2017), which features Jemere Morgan, son of Gramps Morgan of Morgan Heritage. Check out Jordan T's most recent release "I Feel It Could" (2023), produced and recorded in Pukalani, Maui by @Kanoa, Mastered by @RuffSound.
“From the Islands” is available online at: