Anuhea

Anuhea (Rylee Anuheake'alaokalokelani Jenkins) is a pivotal figure in the 21st-century evolution of 'Jawaiian' (Hawaiian Reggae) and Island Pop. Born in Maui into a deeply musical lineage, she bridged the gap between traditional contemporary Hawaiian music and the global acoustic-pop movement of the late 2000s.

Her sound identity is defined by a blend of R&B-influenced vocals and a rhythmic acoustic guitar style that incorporates reggae's backbeat. Emerging during the MySpace era, she bypassed traditional gatekeepers through savvy self-marketing and 'trunk-selling' her demos before signing with OneHawaii Music. Her career arc shows a consistent ability to maintain local island authenticity while achieving significant mainland US success, particularly within the California reggae-rock scene. Critics often highlight her versatility, noting how she can pivot from a stripped-back folk ballad to a full-band reggae anthem without losing her signature 'aloha' spirit. She remains a primary influence for a new generation of female island artists, proving the commercial viability of a soulful, acoustic-driven approach to Pacific music.