George is also a farmer. He has won the Hawaii State All-Pork Award, and is a frequent speaker at Hawaiian agriculture conferences. And George is an artist and sculptor. You can see an example of his work, ";Puhi the Eel";, hanging in the Office of the Governor of Hawaii, in Honolulu .

But mostly, we know George for his wonderful music. He has played the world over, for all kinds of audiences.  ";When I'm playing a solo instrumental piece,"; George says, ";especially on the 12-string guitar, or when I'm playing together with other players, I often imagine in my musical mind's eye all of the people in my family, grandparents, parents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, and cousins, who have had a great influence on my music -- that they're all playing or singing along with me.  I hope that my grandson Aaron will one day come to understand and play this music.";

A seasoned trouper, George has performed for audiences all over the world, including such dignitaries at the Queen of England and the Premier of China.  He says that while walking out on the stage he knows he doesn't get to be with those people out there for very long, so he relaxes, has a great time, and gives them everything he can.  At a concert or a gig, or when playing a CD, listeners are often unexpectedly moved by the unpretentious manner, deep musicality, and rich mixture of life experiences of George Kahumoku Jr.  An enthusiastic cook, Hawai'i 's Renaissance Man is happiest when sharing music and food with a group of family and friends, down on the beach or out in back on the porch.

George's Background

George's family is from south Kona on the big island. They spent considerable time on Oahu , where George's dad was able to find work and where George and his brother could attend Kamehameha school. George showed an early interest in drawing, and at a young age he won several competitions awarding him scholarships to the Honolulu Academy of the Arts. George's father, grandfather and many other relatives and friends played musical instruments, including guitar, ukulele and mandolin. George got his first guitar when he was 10 years old and he played it until his fingers hurt. At age 12, he was working in Waikiki washing cars all evening for ten cents a car. One night he wandered into the bar next door to the car lot and played a couple of songs. Made twenty-seven dollars and twelve cents in 10 minutes. It was the end of a promising career in automobile care.