Chad Takatsugi was a founding member of the popular Hawaiian music group ‘Ale‘a and who released his debut solo recording, Ahuwale, to widespread acclaim in 2015. He was recognized with four Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards (Hawaiian Music Album of the Year, Liner Notes, Haku Mele Award, and Hawaiian Language Performance Award) at the awards program in May 2016.
Chad composed “I Pu‘uhuluhulu Ko Wehi” after the arrest of kūpuna in July, 2019, and it was released on the “Kūha‘o Maunakea” CD.
“I Pu‘uhuluhulu Ko Wehi” was composed to seed the roots of our resistance, insistence, survival and ability to thrive during our movements for aloha ʻāina. It is there at Puʻuhuluhulu that the steadfast ʻaʻaliʻi and the Kaiāulu wind gather in full force, protecting this sacred mountain. This performance was by the wahine of Hālau Hiʻiakaināmakalehua, under the direction of Robert Keʻano Kaʻupu IV & Lono Padilla at the 2021 Merrie Monarch Festival.