“Hawaiʻi to the World,” a new talent competition launched by Hawaiian Council, has a winner: T.J. Keanu Tario, who goes by the stage name Laritza. The finale of the show brought contestants from four islands together to compete for the grand prize: $10,000. A fan favorite, chosen by popular vote, also received a cash prize.
The finale aired after Friday Night Football on Sunday, Dec. 14, on Hawaiʻi News Now, simulcast on K5 and KHNL.
In the finale, Tario, who represented Oʻahu, competed against four other contestants: Kaua‘i’s two finalists, Beya and Kumu Hula Troy Allen Lazaro with Hālau Ka Pā Hula o Hīnano; Maui’s finalist, the Island/reggae band, Āinaty; and Hawaiʻi Island’s finalist, singer and songwriter, Pohai. The panel of judges included Amy Hānaiali‘i Gilliom; Patrick Makuakāne; Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, also known as Kumu Hina; and Lehua Kalima and a special guest judge. The show was hosted by McKenna Maduli with Shawn Kekoa Pimental as music producer.
During an earlier episode where artists competed to represent Oʻahu, Tario as Laritza wowed judges with a performance of “Oli Aloha” and excerpts from Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor. The pianist won that competition, earning a spot in the finale.
Tario is a cultural practioner and a graduate of Kamehameha Schools and The Juilliard School in New York City. The classically trained pianist is also a drag queen. The artist’s film credits include “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and HBO Max’s “Generations,” as well as an appearance as a model for a national commerical of Ulta Beauty, among other projects. Tario has also performed as a guest artist for Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra.
Tario started studying at The Julliard School as a teenager. At the time, the pianist was the only Hawaiian admitted into the pre-college division, Tario told Aloha State Daily. Julliard Pre-College, is a conservatory-style music program for students between the ages of 8 and 18 who work with faculty, many of whom are part of The Juilliard School.
“During my time in New York, it was mostly classical music that I learned up there,” Tario said. “Just having your culture always kind of there with you, but also because I'm studying all of this western music, I kind of had to — not suppress it — but it wasn't very prevalent in my life then. I've always wanted to mix my culture — and also my passion and music.”
In the finale, Tario as Laritza performed an excerpt of the score for the documentary film, “Standing above the Clouds,” which focuses on Pua Case and her daughters as they protest the construction of telescopes at Mauna Kea. Tario performed the track "Haʻina ʻia mai ana ka puana" with an oli chanted over it that shares the birth of the Hawaiian Islands.
“That particular piece, it came from the documentary, but also the vinyl album that I released along with it, through Lōʻihi Records,” Tario said. “A lot of my music, I would say, it stems from place — and especially with having it be tied to such an important movement within our culture and people — I definitely wanted to showcase a little bit of that. And just emphasize the fight to protect sacred wahi pana, like Mauna Kea — it's not over yet. And what better way to show it then on television?”
The pianist just released a second album, “He Kaikamahine O Kekahi Moku.”
What does Tario want listeners to take away from performances?
“Especially for the young māhū community, I would love to just be an inspiration and just say that whatever art form that they do: just bring yourself in it, bring our culture, and just lead with an open heart,” Tario said.
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Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.
