Born a Sophisticated Savage
Augie B. Lopaka Colon, Jr.
About Lopaka
August B. “Lopaka” Colón Jr. is an established percussionist and multi “Na Hoku Hanohano” award winner (Hawaii’s version of the Grammy).
Born to the “Sophisticated Savage,” Augie B. Colón Sr. (original member of the Exotic sounds of Martin Denny), Lopaka has followed in his father’s footsteps and is taking it to the next generation.
Lopaka Colón graduated from Moloka’i High School in 1992 with a scholarship to attend the University of Hawaii Manoa where he majored in Ethnomusicology with a minor in the Spanish language. While in the U.H. music program he performed with the marching band, symphonic, and jazz ensembles. He also played Afro-Cuban rhythms in the percussion group “Campus Drummers.”
Lopaka integrates into his style the teachings of his father, his private Afro-cuban/Classical percussion lessons, and U.H. schooling.
In the late 90s, Lopaka found musical success in a band named “Pure Heart,” one of Hawaii’s youngest musical groups ever to take the local music scene by storm and rated in the top 50 musical groups of all time in Hawaii.
The group later evolved into Colón in honor of Lopakaʻs father. Both bands went on to win the People’s Choice Award at the Hoku’s as favorite entertainers of the year two years in a row.
Lopaka has been a key component in the success of several local bands such as the Grammy-nominated “Wild Hawaiian” project with the Henry Kapono band, the Barefoot Natives (Uncle Willie K. & Eric Gilliom), living legends-C&K, the Makana Trio (slack-key/world-fusion), the Waitiki 7 (Classic Exotica for modern listeners), and Don Tiki (Las Vegas type of an Exotica show band) just to name a few. Lopaka has also collaborated with Michael McDonald and Mick Fleetwood with his “Island Rumours” Band.
CREATING TEXTURE
Bird Calls & More
Currently
Percussionist for
Po & the 4Fathers
Pō & the 4Fathers is a band that delivers a musical and lyrical message that is powerful and clear with a modern Kanaka Maoli perspective. Deeply rooted in traditional Hawaiian music, Polynesian rhythms, and indigenous sounds, the band seamlessly blends their musical influences that have moved cultures like reggae, soul, blues, funk, and hip hop.
IntoxiKA
Joining Mallet percussionist Thomas Mackay and the stellar bass guru Ernie Provencher the trio make up the band IntoxiKA.
Audiences are taken on a journey back to 1950’s era Oahu, Hawaii when tiki ruled the airwaves and tiki bars were the all the rage! IntoxiKA is reigniting exotica and bringing it into the present, danceable, and yet familiar…. best served with a mai tai.
Henry Kapono
Henry Kapono is agruably the most prolific and profound entertainer of his era. Throughout his career he has been on the forefront of contemporary Hawaiian music. Lopaka joins Henry at Dukes on Sundays at the Outrigger Waikīkī Beach Resort for a weekly gathering of locals and visitors.
Kimié Miner
Kimié Miner is a Hawaii Grammy Nominated Producer, Singer-Songwriter, Recording Artist, and Music Publisher. Kimié takes her island music throughout the world and Lopaka enjoys being a frequent addition.
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