The Story of Tropical Music

Bill Murata, a veteran record producer, started Tropical Music in 1974. He loved music, especially Hawaiian music and it was his mission to perpetuate the music of our Islands by seeking new talent as well as recording established artists.

With Tropical Music as the corporate name, Poki and Pumehana Records became the names associated with traditional music. The first to record on Poki Records was Genoa Keawe, the first lady of Hawaiian music. The recording was entitled "All Time Hula Favorites."

While the traditional music was the focus, Murata also recognized Hawai'i's multi-cultural face and launched Discos Tropical Records on which other Island music was recorded.

Murata was known for finding young, new talent. He was convinced that Hawai'i's music was in families and communities waiting to be discovered. He traveled to out-of-the way places seeking it. On one occasion he held a talent contest in Kona on the island of Hawai'i. The Lim Family entered and won a recording contract on  Pumehana Records. Gary Haleamau, as runner-up landed a contract for a single. Other best known "discoveries" include Hui Ohana, the Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau, and the Ho'opi'i Brothers of Maui.

Just prior to his passing in 1983, Murata was recognized by the Honolulu City Council for his contributions to the Hawaiian music industry and for his achievement of producing over 100 records. He was also posthumously awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award in 1984 by the Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts.

Since 1983, Lea Uehara has been at the helm, and in 1989 Kata Maduli joined Tropical Music as producer. Notable stars such as Teresa Bright, Cyril Pahinui, Del Beazley, Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewett, and Rocky Brown have joined the established recording acts such as the Makaha Sons. In addition, solo efforts by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole (from the Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau), and Dennis Pavao (from Hui Ohana) have added award-winning recordings to the catalog.

Over the years the records have won every major category of the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards (the Hawaiian equivalent of the Grammy Awards). Among the awards include Male, and Female Vocalist of the Year; Group of the Year; Traditional, and Contemporary Hawaiian Album of the Year; Instrumental of the Year; Anthology of the Year; Haku Mele (Hawaiian Song), and Song of the Year; as well as awards in the technical categories of engineering, graphics, and liner notes.

From the '70s with vinyl albums, through the ‘80s with the cassette and 8-track tapes, to CDs of the '90s, Tropical Music continues its mission of preserving and perpetuating the music of Hawai'i. With the funding of the Bill Murata Memorial Scholarship, which aids music and Hawaiian language students it hopes to continue its mission well into the 21st century.