Aloha!
My name is Chad Kaya, and I am a professional guitarist born and raised on the island of Maui. I’ve been playing guitar for 25 years and performing live for the past two decades. Over the years, I’ve played in numerous bands since I was 17 and even had the honor of joining the long-time Maui legends, Ekolu, for three years.
In 2012, encouraged by my wife, I decided to quit my retail job and pursue my music career full-time. I compiled a collection of laid-back, vibey instrumental guitar cover songs and have been performing them at resorts and restaurants all over the island ever since. Some of these locations include the Four Seasons, Grand Wailea, Andaz, Hyatt Regency, Fairmont Kea Lani, Tommy Bahama, Monkeypod Kitchen, and Three’s Bar and Grill.
It has always been a long-time dream of mine to run my own music business. I’ve wanted to perform at weddings and other special events rather than relying solely on the bar and restaurant scene for my livelihood.
In 2023, as many of you know, the Lahaina fire destroyed numerous small businesses, including a couple of the places where I regularly performed. This resulted in a loss of several weekly gigs and a significant portion of my income. I saw this as a chance to pursue my dream of breaking into the local wedding and special events scene here on Maui.
I put together a few clips of my performances to showcase what I usually play at my gigs. Click on my “Samples” page to listen and see if you like what I do.
Mahalo!
About Me
🎸 I’m a huge fan of Jimi Hendrix and Van Halen. My stepdad had a collection of VHS rock tapes that inspired me to pick up his guitar. His Ovation acoustic from the '80s was the first guitar I ever played.
🎙️ I’m passionate about music production! Since 2014, I’ve been experimenting with recording and mixing music. It all started when the band I was playing in decided to record some songs. My interest grew, so I invested in recording gear and have been honing my skills ever since. Working in the studio is one of my favorite things!
🤘🏻 I used to be in a heavy metal band. At 17, I started my first band with three of my best friends. We wrote original music, played numerous shows on Maui, and even moved to Las Vegas to pursue our dreams. Though we eventually went our separate ways as everyone embarked on their own careers, we remain very good friends to this day.
💅🏼 I once worked at a nail salon. At 18, freshly out of high school and broke, I was living at a friend's house whose mom owned a nail shop. She offered me a job, and I spent a few months doing manicures and pedicures.
😌 I am very laid back and easy to get along with. I aim to bring a spirit of service to every interaction. I am dedicated to ensuring a smooth, easy, and worthwhile experience for every client. Highly professional and serious about my craft, I am committed to making any special occasion truly memorable.
Contact for more info
(808) 250-9557