One of the nicest people you could ever meet, Mike Young, is a native born Hawaiian and plays at Casablanca at Kiahuna Restaurant in Po‘ipu every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday nights from 6:30 to 9 p.m. His music is
One of the nicest people you could ever meet, Mike Young, is a native born Hawaiian and plays at Casablanca at Kiahuna Restaurant in Po‘ipu every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday nights from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
His music is genuine, has no gimmicks and is a blend of styles. Young was born on O‘ahu but says he feels at home on Kaua‘i, because the island still has an old Hawaiian style to its lives.
Young performs many of his own compositions but also has a wide range of repertoire, from party favorites to jazzy or county classics. He is self taught on guitar and ‘ukulele and uses only Kamoa ‘Ukuleles.
He was quick to talk about his love of surfing and how as a boy he cut school so he could see (and meet) Duke Kahanamoku. The famous surfer had his chauffeur stop the stretch limo so he could tell the boys that they should be in school. Young never forgot that experience and later wrote “Song for Duke Kahanamoku.”
Young’s love for the islands, the ocean, Kaua‘i and its people come through in his original songs. His latest CD, titled “The Music of Mike Young in the Islands,” does a masterful job of expressing his musicality and also of painting beautiful pictures of this magical place we all call home.
Young believes strongly that music is central to the Hawaiian culture and his own personal spirit of aloha comes through in his music, as well as in his performances. He makes everyone feel welcome and special at Casablanca’s.
He remembers his first gig at a club called The Whale’s Tale and remembers that he got paid $90 for that night’s work. He thought it was a fortune. He said he only knew three songs and just kept playing them over and over again, but both he and his audience loved it.
Young is likely most known for his Na Hoku Hanohano nominated song, called “Nani O Kaua‘i” (“Beauty of Kaua‘i”), and this favorite is on his new CD. Descended from Hawaiian and Chinese musical grandfathers, Young took to the stage at age 16 and announced to his parents that he was going to be an entertainer.
As his father and his brother were policemen, Young also had a stint as a police officer. When that cut into his musical career, he needed to make a decision — one which he has never regretted. Young advises young artists to pursue their dreams, always anticipate that there will be rough patches but be grateful for your talent and sing your passion, be it when you are happy or be it when you are sad.
Young is proud of his two sons. His eldest son is a surfer, like his dad, and his younger son is a straight A high school student.
Mike’s newest CD is dedicated to his sons and the Wave Riders Against Drugs. You can get a copy of this CD at Casablanca’s, and while you are at it, have some great food in a wonderful setting and listen to Young perform live or visit his website at www.mikeyoungmusic.net.