Augie B. “Lopaka” Colon

August B. “Lopaka” Colón Jr. is an established percussionist and multi “Nā Hōkū 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. Lopaka is also a member of the Maui Ukulele jam band Kanekoa.