"Leo 'Ekahi" - We are a group of young people who enjoy music and more importantly love and praise Jah for blessing us with it. Our name is a mixture of our South Pacific roots and Polynesian heritage. "Leo" is the Samoan word for "voice" and "'ekahi" is the Hawaiian word for the number "one". Together, we are a unity of harmonies of voices and instruments in "one voice".
The early stages of this group began in Northern California, where brothers Hartman and Sivasa Laupati conducted a small reggae band. Alongside them was a talented young man named Jason Macapulay who joined the band of cousins and brothers for the first time, singing and playing for a High School fundraiser. Many enjoyed the island rhythms that raced through the ukuleles and pounded on the drums and encouraged the youngsters to continue playing.
The group had to go their seperate ways as different schools called to them. Sivasa and Jason moved to Southern California where they would attended La Sierra University and continued their music ministry and met a talented guitar player named Edson Verde. Together, these three played for worship services, program openers and were well known throughout the La Sierra campus as fairly talented individuals. Other talented individuals such as ukulele player Rhonda Dolormente and bongo drummer Joshua Thompson would join the group on occassion and bring about a fuller sound, while keeping the laid back island feeling. Once again, the group found themselves separating as Edson had to leave to another school to further his education.
In 2005, Sivasa and Jason were reunited with Hartman and were introduced to a young man named Mark Matsuoka who was an awesome ukulele player and quick learner on the bass guitar. Mark also had a very in-tune ear for music as he too provided vocals for many of the acoustic songs. During the spring, these gentlemen chose the name "Leo 'Ekahi" as their official group name, and performed everywhere. During the spring, Leo 'Ekahi was asked by the Loma Linda Indonesian church to be a part of their compilation CD in which all proceeds would benefit the victims of the Tsunami. They recorded their first song "Give them all to Jesus".
Later on in the spring, Leo 'Ekahi added the beautiful voice of Jasmine Swenson - a long time friend of Sivasa, Jason and Hartman and a well known vocalist in her father's church. Jasmine brought a harmonious voice and a larger knowledge of praise songs than what the original group knew. Another addition to the group was a young man named Josh Keresoma who was a talented guitar player and a skillfull rift delivery man. Alongside Hartman, Josh brought a fuller reggae sound with a rocksteady beat and heart moving guitar solos.
This group of individuals has played for many worship services and family gatherings as well as weddings and church programs. Once again, life has called that many of the members had to leave in different directions. But the group continues to perform. The love of Jah is what keeps us going and playing and singing until He fullfills his promise to return to us.
Please enjoy the music and may Jah bless you as He has blessed us all. Fa'afetai and Mahalo.
~Leo 'Ekahi
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