Honoka & Azita
Japanese ukulele duo known for fast fingers and contest wins.
Honoka & Azita was a ukulele musical duo from Japan, known for their fast fingers and unique arrangements of popular and original songs. The duo consisted of Honoka Katayama (born 1998) and Azita Ganjali (born 1999), who met at the Ukulele Hale studio in Honolulu and were students of Jody Kamisato, who later became their manager. They gained recognition after winning first place in their division and being named MVP at the 2013 International Ukulele Contest in Japan, and subsequently performed as featured artists at the Okinawa International Ukulele Festival and at venues including the Hard Rock Cafe in Honolulu.
- born
- Honoka Katayama: 1998; Azita Ganjali: 1999
- field
- Music (ukulele duo)
- nationality
- Japan (Honoka is Japanese-American, Azita is Iranian-American; based in Japan)
- known_for
- Fast fingers, unique arrangements, winning 2013 International Ukulele Contest MVP
Lore & Background
Honoka Katayama and Azita Ganjali met as students at the Ukulele Hale studio in Honolulu under instructor Jody Kamisato, who later became their manager. In 2013, they entered the International Ukulele Contest in Japan together, winning first place in their division and being named the contest's Most Valuable Player. Following this success, they performed as featured artists at the Okinawa International Ukulele Festival, and became regular performers at the Hard Rock Cafe in Honolulu.
In September 2017, they performed at the 8th Rice Fest in Honolulu. That same year, they served as instructors for beginner workshops at the 2017 Los Angeles International Ukulele Festival. The Hawaiian Airlines Facebook Page featured the duo performing their first original composition 'Island Fire' and described them as one of Hawaii's most popular duos. On December 5, 2017, they appeared on KITV television's Island News to promote an upcoming ukulele contest in February 2018.
On January 4, 2019, the duo released a video announcing that Azita would pursue a career in medicine, while Honoka would continue as a solo artist, marking the end of their partnership.
Reader's Guide
Honoka & Azita represent a notable chapter in contemporary ukulele music, emerging from Hawaii's rich musical tradition. Their rapid rise from students at the Ukulele Hale studio to winners of the 2013 International Ukulele Contest MVP award highlights the duo's technical skill and appeal. Their performances at venues such as the Hard Rock Cafe in Honolulu and the Okinawa music festival, as well as their role as instructors at the 2017 Los Angeles International Ukulele Festival, demonstrate their influence within the ukulele community. The duo's discography includes the 2015 compilation 'Island Style Ukulele,' which won the Na Hoku Hanohano Award for Compilation Album of the Year, a 2016 debut EP, and a 2017 contribution to the 'Na Mele Ukulele' compilation. Their legacy is further marked by the recognition from Hawaiian Airlines, which featured their original composition 'Island Fire' and called them one of Hawaii's most popular duos. The duo's dissolution in 2019, with Azita leaving for medicine and Honoka pursuing a solo career, underscores the personal choices that can shape artistic trajectories.
Did You Know?
- Honoka & Azita won first place in their division and were named MVP at the 2013 International Ukulele Contest in Japan.
- Their debut EP album included four original compositions.
- The duo's compilation 'Island Style Ukulele' was nominated for the 2015 Na Hoku Hanohano Award for Compilation Album of the Year.
- They were featured on the Hawaiian Airlines Facebook Page performing their original song 'Island Fire.'
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