Tropical Hawaiian Day (1991)
Valley Style (1993)
On Fire (1995)
Making Waves (1996)
The Best Of Ka'au Crater Boys (1998)
Their work garnered them three Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards, (Nā Hōkū Hanohano means "The Distinguished/Glorious Stars", Hawaii's version of the Grammy Awards) from the Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts.
The Kaʻau Crater Boys were formed in the early 1990s by Ernie Cruz Jr. (the son of Ernie Cruz Sr. and brother of Guy and John Cruz who are also local entertainers) and Troy Fernandez.
Their first album, “Tropical Hawaiian Day,” released in 1991, marked the official beginning of Troy and Ernie’s 7-year partnership as one of the most successful groups in contemporary island music.
Cruz played bass, acoustic guitar and handled main vocals for the majority of songs they recorded. Fernandez also played bass, contributed to vocals (mainly as a backing vocalist), but was mostly renowned for his musicianship with the ukulele.
The creation of the Kaʻau Crater Boys also coincided with the resurgence in local Hawaiian customs and tradition, as well as promoting the renaissance of Hawaiian culture, especially among the local youth.
As part of a collective of artists from the Palolo Housing area of Oahu, Hawaii Cruz and Fernandez earned a steady gig at the Elks Lodge which also opened the door for Troy and Ernie to tour Japan for 6 months.
A last minute appearance a few years later at Moose McGillycuddy’s Pub became a regular gig - this time as “E.T.,” “Ernie/Troy” (a play on names after the popular film, “ET – The Extra-Terrestrial”).
Ernie Cruz died in September 2016.
The name Kaʻau Crater Boys refers to Kaʻau Crater, an extinct volcano above the Palolo Valley of Oahu, near to the Palolo housing community in which Cruz and Fernandez were raised.
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From the vibrantly produced debut album, Tropical Hawaiian Day, to the magical sounds of their fourth release, "Making Waves", the Ka'au Crater Boys have become one of Hawaii's hottest duos in contemporary Hawaiian music.
The Ka'au Crater Boys distinctive and appealing sound reflects their love of Hawaii and of their favorite non-musical activity, surfing -- creating a new breed of Hawaiian music. They've formed a fresh blend of guitar and ukulele completely different from other contemporary local artists, sparking a new artistic style where the original material is insightful and more reflective of the Hawaiian lifestyle. Cruz's powerful easy rhythms and Fernandez' distinctive ukulele technique, make for a truly magical sound. Their songs are a mixture of Hawaiian standards, country oldies, pop, reggae and their own originals.
Their debut album, Tropical Hawaiian Day, garnered a strong local following. Their second album, Valley Style, served notice that Cruz and Fernandez were outstanding artists as they were honored with the 1994 Hoku for Contemporary Album of the Year (Hawaii's Grammy equivalent). Fernandez' "Surf" was a highlight on this album and is still a favorite among their fans. Their third album, On Fire!, won them the Contemporary Album Hoku for the second year in a row. Their recording of "Opihi Man" a catchy ode to challenging and sometimes life-threatening work of the opihi pickers, earned Big Island composer Craig Kamahele "Song of the Year" honors as well. Their fourth release, Making Waves brings their two loves together, music and surfing. It offers two renditions of "Makaha", one representing the Ka'au sound, while the other hints of rock that could be called Hawaiian Rock.
Skilled at playing bass and acoustic guitar, Cruz is the son of famous Hawaiian musician Ernie Cruz, Sr. and brother to popular solo entertainer, John Cruz. Fernandez, a master on his ukulele and bass, performs with wizardry and vitality. He has become a key figure in the resurgence of interest in the ukulele, causing such a stir among young kids that like the old days way back when, it's not uncommon to see kids playing ukulele as they stroll down the street or make their way between classes at school.
Raised in the verdant valley of Palolo on Oahu, the Ka'au Crater Boys began their musical roots in Palolo Housing. The Boys are an inspiration to local kids hanging out with idle time and uncertain futures. The Boys drive home the lesson that an inexpensive guitar or ukulele can be the key to a positive and productive life. A new generation of aspiring musicians now turn up at Ka'au Crater Boys concerts to watch and learn from them. "Most of our songs, anybody can do 'em" We tell the kids that," says Fernandez. Cruz emphasizes simplicity: "People like simple things if they're done right."
Ka'au Crater Boys . . . local boys who love music, surfing and Hawaii. A simple combination, done right!
Surf
Ka'au Crater Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To make music with the ocean day by day
I surf all day play music all night
And I just can't wait till the morning light to go
Chorus:
Surf wooo wooo wah ooh
Surf everybody go surf wooo wooo wah ooh
I check all the island breaks I know
But the place I go is the Kaiser Bowl
I surf with the guys from the Kaiser Surf Crew
Daddy Mooch, Bob and Dennis too we all
(Chorus)
Bridge:
Wamiea, Sunset, Pipeline Haleiwa, Velzy Land
Bomburas, Rock Piles, Ala Moana and the Kaiser Bowl
Everybody go
(Chorus)
(Chorus)
Once you learn all the radical moves
I know it will put you in the groove
Go off the lip and in the tube
If I can do it so can you. So go
(Chorus)
Surf will never ever die
Cause the feeling makes me fly so high
My love for surf is very strong
So the ocean is where I belong. We go
(Chorus)
(Bridge)
(Chorus)
The song "Surf" by the Ka'au Crater Boys is a celebration of the relationship between music and the ocean. The lyrics express a deep connection with surfing, and how it allows the singer to make music with the ocean every day. The song is an ode to the joy and freedom that comes with riding the waves, and the sense of community that can be found among surfers.
In the song, the singer describes checking all the island breaks he knows, but choosing to surf at the Kaiser Bowl with the Kaiser Surf Crew. The verses paint a vivid picture of the different places and types of waves that can be found in Hawaii, with references to Wamiea, Sunset, Pipeline, Haleiwa, Velzy Land, Bomburas, Rock Piles, and Ala Moana. The bridge brings all of these places together, emphasizing the shared experience of surfing.
The chorus, with its catchy "wooo wooo wah ooh" refrain, is a call to action for everyone to join in and surf. The song ends with a message of love and commitment to the ocean, and a belief that the feeling of surfing will never die.
Line by Line Meaning
Surf is the only way I say
I believe that the best way to connect and make music with the ocean is through surfing.
To make music with the ocean day by day
I see surfing as a way to create a harmonious bond with the ocean that can be enjoyed every single day.
I surf all day play music all night
I spend my days riding waves and my nights jamming on music, a perfect balance between my two passions.
And I just can't wait till the morning light to go
I am so excited to surf that I look forward to the next day, eager to hit the water again as soon as possible.
I check all the island breaks I know
I have explored and surveyed many different surf spots around the island to find the best waves to ride.
But the place I go is the Kaiser Bowl
Despite all the other locations I've visited, I always come back to the Kaiser Bowl as my favorite place to surf.
I surf with the guys from the Kaiser Surf Crew
I have a close group of friends, including Daddy Mooch, Bob, and Dennis, who all share my love of surfing and frequent the Kaiser Bowl.
Wamiea, Sunset, Pipeline Haleiwa, Velzy Land
These are all popular surf spots around the island that I am familiar with and have likely surfed before.
Bomburas, Rock Piles, Ala Moana and the Kaiser Bowl
These are all specific places that I enjoy surfing, particularly the Kaiser Bowl which is my favorite spot of them all.
Once you learn all the radical moves
When you become proficient at surfing and are able to execute more difficult maneuvers on the board.
I know it will put you in the groove
I am confident that mastering these radical moves will allow you to feel the same connection to surfing that I do.
Go off the lip and in the tube
These are two specific moves on the board that I mentioned before, and are often seen as the pinnacle of surfing.
If I can do it so can you. So go
I believe that anyone can become a skilled surfer like me, so don't be afraid to try it out for yourself.
Surf will never ever die
The love and passion I have for surfing will never fade away or diminish in any way.
Cause the feeling makes me fly so high
Surfing gives me a feeling of exhilaration and freedom that I've never experienced anywhere else.
My love for surf is very strong
The love and attachment I have for surfing is incredibly powerful and important to me.
So the ocean is where I belong. We go
The ocean, and surfing on its waves, is my true home and where I feel most alive and fulfilled.
Contributed by Alexis H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@alohabia2
I miss Palolo, my home......thank you for this great song and your music. I listen here in Hong Kong......I am Hawaiian at heart and soul.....
@jadaconcepcion5364
These guys have been my favorite since I was like 10yrs old. Love them
@kellybrown6988
Lol memories! The first song everyone learned to play on the uke! Growing up in mililani back in da 90's
@asunnychin9766
kelly white I’m born and raised in mililani
@bananabangah5673
yessah mililani on top
@jzen1455
I went to summer school at Mililani in 2000 for English!
@kylecorreajr.9791
@banana bangah not even
@psych336
Such an uplifting carefree vibe from this song. So awesome.
@rosejr8
If you from Hawai'i you know every word in this song and can play the uke to this song ;) Makaha baby we rep it forever!
@kfpople
These guys are so underrated on the mainland.