Hui Ohana and the Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau.  His early love for island contemporary style music was influenced by island recording artists Kalapna, Cecilio and Kapono a.k.a C & K, Olomana and Billy Kaui.  

Ry was born and raised in the 50th state.  He calls O'hia, on the east side of Molokai, his home.  He learned to play the ukulele at age 8, but It was in his early teen years where he developed a passion for music and a desire to learn to play and sing traditional Hawaiian music.  He learned to play Kī hōʻalu, or Hawaiian slack key guitar from Kili Mawae, a local fisherman and janitor at Molokai High school, during morning and lunch recesses.  Ry took what he learned from Uncle Kili, and developed his own stylings on the guitar.  Ry would often sit at family gatherings and luau's carefully watching the fingering positions of uncles and local slack key musicians trying to emulate what they were doing on the guitar.  Ry couldn't wait for the day when he could participate in a Kanikapila, or music jam session, and take his turn on a guitar solo during a song!  

Ry was quickly influenced in the early 80's by the music of Bob Marley, his music spoke to his soul and he developed of love for reggae rhythms and the messages of unity in his lyrics.  By the late 1980's, Hawaii had pioneered a unique style of music incorporating those reggae rhythms, Hawaiian slack-key and island style life into what has been coined as the Jawaiian sound.  

Ry left the Hawaiian islands in the early 1990's and moved his family to Washington state.  Recognizing a niche in the Seattle music scene for the Jawaiian sound, Ry formed the Po'okela Street Band a.k.a PSB.  He continues to front the Po'okela Street Band at festivals, concerts, events and engagements throughout the Puget Sound.

As a solo artist, Ry continues to write and compose music successfully capturing the beauty and allure of ‘Island life’ through his music. Embracing the Polynesian style, he has introduced music lovers all around the northwest to his own take on cutting edge island music.

Whether you are planning a party or wedding or need music for a special occassion, Ry is a viable option for a full band sound, executed by a man and his guitar. 

Mahalo for visiting!