They may not know a lot about New Zealand - but New Zealand definitely knows a lot about Kolohe Kai.
The Hawaiian reggae band is heading to the Bay of Plenty this week where members hope to enjoy some of the region's culture and surf during their New Zealand tour.
Kolohe Kai
has dominated radio airwaves with songs such as Cool Down, Ehu Girl, Lover Girl and other tracks that lead vocalist Roman De Peralta says are inspired by the sun, surf and lifestyle in Hawaii.
"It's from the life experiences that happen in Hawaii ... being able to surf. The simple life that we live here," De Peralta said.
The band - De Peralta (lead vocalist, acoustic guitar), Noah (ukelele), Ryan (sax, backing vocals), Jordan (electric guitar, backing vocals), Warren (bass), Luke (drums) and Ko (keyboards) - are on a New Zealand tour and are heading to the Bay of Plenty to perform an R18 Tauranga gig at the Mt Action Centre on Friday.
Kiwi reggae bands 1814 and Sons of Zion will support the international stars. Both New Zealand bands have strong Bay of Plenty links, with Maihi Pinker from 1814 and Sons of Zion lead vocalist Rio Panapa, both being former Rotorua students.
Kolohe Kai arrived in New Zealand on Sunday - having left Hawaii for the first time - for their six-show New Zealand tour. They have performed in Napier and Porirua and will also perform in Hawera and Tauranga, and twice in Auckland.
Kolohe Kai is a group of friends aged from 18 to 20 who went to high school together. The band had been together for a few years and had decided New Zealand would host their first international concert because of the support from their Kiwi fans via social networking site Facebook.
De Peralta didn't know too much about New Zealand so he and his band mates wanted to find out what the country had to offer - especially the surf.
"We are planning to get to surf for a couple of days, experience the culture in New Zealand ... we really want to enjoy it."
"I just know the people are the most beautiful people in the world [from] what I've heard, in personality and in general beauty."
Even though the surf plays an important role in the lives of the band members, so does religion. De Peralta is a Jehovah's Witness and says he tries to incorporate the words of the Bible in their songs.
Although De Peralta is surprised and unsure why Kolohe Kai is so popular in New Zealand, he says it may have something to do with their "fun vibe", which is what he hopes to bring to their Tauranga concert.
He says the Bay audience will have fun with some "good company".
"We hope to bring a bit of our culture with your culture. Get ready for a good time."
Tickets for the Kolohe Kai concert will be sold at Tracs Tauranga, Brewers Bar at Mt Maunganui, Stadium Bar at Te Puke or online at Eventfinder.
They may not know a lot about New Zealand - but New Zealand definitely knows a lot about Kolohe Kai.
The Hawaiian reggae band is heading to the Bay of Plenty this week where members hope to enjoy some of the region's culture and surf during their New Zealand tour.
Kolohe Kai
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