Kala‘e Parish 

Occupation: Musician
What school you grad? Kapolei High School ‘08
College: Linfield College
Location: Waimea, Hawai’i

Ask Kala‘e Parish why he moved from Oʻahu to Hawai‘i Island, and he’ll probably just point you to the first few lines of his song “Island Life.” 

City lights are shining
Beautiful sight, you might say
But they don’t compare to a starry sky at night 

The Native Hawaiian country singer-songwriter from West O‘ahu attended โรงเรียนประถมศึกษาโปฮาเกอา, โรงเรียนประถมศึกษาเลโฮกุ and Friendship Christian Schools. While sports was his main focus growing up, Parish always loved music and the idea of songwriting. He wrote his first song as a sixth grader at โรงเรียนมัธยมคาโปเล and later represented โรงเรียนมัธยมคาโปเลย์ in “Brown Bags to Stardom,” the talent showcase competition for Hawai‘i youth. As a young boy, he spent summers and spring breaks working at grandfather’s farm in Kaʻū on Hawai‘i Island. After college, he pursued music full time and moved out to Waimea, where continues to find inspiration for much of his songwriting.

Parish has shared the stage with top country artists including Billy Currington, Brett Young, Rascal Flatt’s lead singer Gary Levox and LeAnn Rimes. His music has been featured on the big screen, including in commercial ads for YETI, Pacifico Beer and the popular Netflix series “Love is Blind.”

At the 2025 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards, he took home Album of the Year and Contemporary Album of the Year for “Where I’m Going”, Male Vocalist of the Year and Song of the Year (Composer Award, “Kickinʻ Back”) and a shared win with his wife, Kalena, for Christmas Album of the Year (“Kala‘e + Kalena + Kalikimaka”).

Q: Briefly describe your journey after high school.
A: After graduating from Linfield College in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in business—where I also played four years of collegiate football as a free safety—I returned home in 2013 and began performing solo and with a band across Oʻahu. In 2014, I took on full-time management of my grandfather’s farm on the Big Island. By 2018, I began developing a solo music project inspired by life in the islands. Over the past five years, that journey has led to opening for internationally recognized artists and earning multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards.

Q: What are you up to these days?
A: I built a home on my property on Hawai‘i Island, where I’ve been raising cattle, horses and pigs. In my spare time, I love training horses and riding all over the island. Over the past year, I’ve been touring in support of my latest album, “Where I’m Going,” which was recently honored with six Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards including Album of the Year. I’ve been performing full-time since its release. In addition to performing, I also teach songwriting at the Kapena School of Music, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and serve as the program director for educational opportunities with the Henry Kapono Foundation.

Q: Why did you choose this career path and what do you enjoy most about it?
A: I chose this career path because I’ve always had a passion for music and songwriting. When I graduated college, I knew that at some point I would want to pursue music full time. The thing I enjoy the most is performing, but I also enjoy writing songs for TV and film. 

Q: What makes you #PublicSchoolProud?
A: I think public schools often carry the stereotype of being “not as good,” especially in academics or athletics compared to private schools. But I’m a success story from a public school on the west side—proof that you can find academic success, a career, and a strong future through public education.

Q: Favorite subject in school?
A: ภาษาอังกฤษ

Q: Favorite school lunch or breakfast?
A: Chicken sandwich

Q: What type of extracurricular activities were you involved in?
A: Football, wrestling and track and field.

Q: Name of a teacher or mentor you’d like to thank?
A: Mrs. Wray, Mrs. O, Mrs. Ifuku, Mrs. Walker. These were all my business academy teachers at Kapolei High School who believed in me and inspired me to be an entrepreneur. 

Q: What advice do you have for students?
A: The only person you need to believe in you is yourself.