Maine native makes waves as Hawaiian singer-songwriter

Singer-songwriter, surfer and model Keoni Thompson is a native of Farmington, Maine, but has made Hawaii his home after his family moved there when he was young. After getting started in the Hawaiian Ensemble in high school, the former quarterback has earned a following in the Hawaiian music scene performing covers and his own original songs, and recently traveled to Los Angeles to write new music. Worldly, without question, but he says it all started at his elementary school in Vienna.

Age: 20

Occupation: Musician/entertainer

Hometown: Kurtistown, Hawaii

How did you get started in music? Is there anything from your childhood in Maine that plays a part in your music? The first instrument I played was the violin in fourth grade at Cascade Brook. I really liked it. My parents would have youth group at our house, and one friend, Dan Hayden, who would always bring his guitar, motivated me to play. I got my first guitar on my ninth birthday. The first performance I ever did by myself was at Cascade Brook’s talent night. I had just gone to a Third Day concert, and I remember thinking that everyone cheered as loud for me as at the concert. I really just played on my own and with Dan Hayden and Bill Russo, who was my dad’s friend who was really good at guitar.

We moved to Hawaii after my parents got offered teaching jobs at Hualalai Academy in Kona. I was going into fifth grade. I played once a year in front of my peers there, also at the talent shows. I was deathly afraid to sing in front of anyone, but in sixth grade I played and sang a Third Day song, in seventh grade a Relient K song, and in eighth grade another Third Day song. Third Day really inspired me after attending their concert. We also played their songs at Farmington Baptist Church in the youth group band.

Can you explain the Hawaiian Ensemble class for Mainers who’ve never heard of it? Hawaiian Ensemble is a group of students from Kamehameha Hawaii High School who perform Hawaiian songs and Christian songs for the school and the community. It was an elective that I took for all four years of high school. I signed up for it because I really wanted to learn Hawaiian songs. It helped me with performing in front of people. I didn’t sing though until I was a senior. It was a something I had to get over. Being a performer can be a very vulnerable job. You are constantly getting judged. I always want to do a really good job every time I perform, so it can be stressful.

What do you prefer to play? Covers? Originals? Traditional songs? I love doing covers just as much as I like doing originals. I have made a living for the past year and a half on covers and doing renditions of traditional and modern Hawaiian songs, so I really like it. Playing those songs have made me a better singer/songwriter.

How’s your career going right now? Things are going great! I am so blessed to be playing music professionally straight out of high school. I have been performing at various venues in Hawaii including Huggo’s on the Rocks, the Body Glove Boat Cruises, Cafe Pesto, Four Seasons, as well as doing private gigs for weddings, parties, conventions and whatever else I get asked to do! I enjoy playing at my alma mater Kamehameha Hawaii. It is a lot of fun going back and playing for everyone. I want to give back anything I can for them. I would never had learned Hawaiian music if I didn’t go to Kamehameha. It is an amazing school for children of Hawaiian ancestry. I was so fortunate to have been accepted. I recently went to LA to co-write with a friend, Justin Sheehy. He really helped jump-start my song writing since it was pretty new to me. Many people ask me if I will try out for The Voice or American Idol in the future and, depending on how things go, it is a possibility. I am always trying to improve on both instruments, my voice and my guitar.

What’s next? Up next I will be preparing to record my album. It is going to be a lot of work, but it is a top priority. I need to get my name out there by touring and playing wherever I can. I realize it can take long time and a lot of work, but that is what it takes to be great at anything. I will get my name on the map. I want to make a positive difference in people’s lives. God has blessed me so much. I am also planning to go to Nashville after LA to work with some singer/songwriters there. Things are really exciting for me.

What songwriters have inspired you? Who’s your favorite? David Foster is by far the greatest songwriter. He is incredible. He writes songs for my favorite female artist, Celine Dion (she rubbed off on me from my mom), and also for Josh Groban, both of whom I have tremendous admiration for. I have a lot of other influences like Jack Johnson, Michael Buble and John Mayer. I also like Christian rock songs from Hillsong United. Country music has been creeping its way into my repertoire. So, it looks like I have lots of favorites.

What’s your favorite song to play? I can honestly say I don’t have a favorite, but John Mayer has amazing guitar skills and when I learn one of his songs, it is pretty awesome because they are all pretty challenging. My life has been pretty sweet, surfing, playing music and modeling. It’s what I said that I wanted to do all through high school. My prayers have come true. God is so good.

I hope people will check me out on my Facebook page and “like” it. I love to hear from people in Maine. I will let everyone know when I have a single or an album. I appreciate everyone’s support.

Note: A previous version of this story said Thompson is a Vienna native. While he did live in Vienna for a time, Thompson lived in Farmington for most of his childhood.