Honoka & Azita

Honoka & Azita

(Photo Credit: Andrew Agcaoili)

Composed of Honoka Katayama and Azita Ganjali, the young and dynamic `ukulele duo first met at `Ukulele Hale, a `ukulele studio founded by Jody Kamisato. Both girls garnered exceptional credentials as soloist, including individual awards in `ukulele competitions throughout Hawai`i.

In late 2012, the girls combined their creative forces and began performing together as a duo. The two entered the 2013 International `Ukulele Contest taking home 1st place in Group Division and were also awarded the highly prestigious title of MVP.

Soon after, Honoka & Azita were invited to Okinawa, Japan to open for the famous Japanese band BEGIN, along with other popular Japanese artists at the annual “Utano Hi” concert. The duo performed for over 8,000 people and were also featured on nationwide TV.

Gaining worldwide attention for their electrifying performances, Honoka (18) and Azita (15) are quickly emerging as one of the pre-eminent `ukulele players of the next generation. The girls recently recorded on the Island Style `Ukulele 2 album, which received the 2015 Nā Hoku Hanohano Award for Compilation Album of the Year, the Hawaiian equivalent of the Grammy Awards.

In the summer of 2015, the girls embarked on a highly successful 5-week tour throughout Japan. They were also invited to perform at the 3rd Annual Czech `Ukulele Festival in Prague, receiving rave reviews from world renowned musicians to `ukulele enthusiast from around the world.

Energy, fun, passion and pure hearts would best describe this dynamic `ukulele duo. Honoka & Azita would like to continue sharing their music and the `ukulele with the world!

Follow the girls at their official web site at www.honokaandazita.com, or on social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Youtube.

Honoka & Azita will be performing at this year’s Rice Fest at 8:00pm. Click here for a complete schedule.