Biography

Raiatea Helm is recognized as one of Hawaiʻi’s foremost vocalists, celebrated for carrying Hawaiian music into the future while honoring its rich traditions. Raised on the island of Molokaʻi, she discovered her passion for Hawaiian music as a teenager after being inspired by the recordings of legendary falsetto singer Lena Machado. Through dedicated study and a deep connection to her cultural heritage, Helm became a master of leo ki‘eki‘e (Hawaiian falsetto singing), known for her expressive voice and distinctive command of the ha‘i—the dramatic transition between vocal registers that defines the style.

Helm released her debut album at age 18 and quickly emerged as one of Hawaiian music’s leading artists, earning multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards, including Female Vocalist of the Year. In 2004, she became the first solo female Hawaiian vocalist to receive a Grammy nomination for Hawaiian music. Her career has been marked by a commitment to both artistic excellence and cultural preservation, bringing traditional Hawaiian music to audiences throughout Hawaiʻi, the continental United States, and abroad.

A recipient of a 2012 National Artist Fellowship from the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation (NACF), Helm has dedicated much of her work to perpetuating Hawaiian music and supporting the next generation of Native Hawaiian artists. She later earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, expanding her work as a researcher, educator, and advocate for Hawaiian musical history. Her critically acclaimed album A Legacy of Hawaiian Song and String, Volume 1 (2023), explored the repertoire and stories of Hawaiʻi’s early twentieth-century troubadours and further established her reputation as both a performer and cultural historian.

In addition to her performing career, Helm serves as a music educator and cultural practitioner, working with youth and communities throughout Hawaiʻi. She has also contributed to documenting and sharing Hawaiian music history through educational initiatives and media projects, including PBS’s documentary Puʻuwai Haokila: The Story of How Hawaiʻi Shaped Modern Music.

Whether performing on international stages, teaching students, or researching Hawaiian musical traditions, Raiatea Helm remains committed to preserving, perpetuating, and advancing the unique cultural legacy of Hawaiian music for future generations.