Today we’d like to introduce you to Shaun Gomban.
Shaun, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born and raised in Hawai’i, and for most of my life, the islands were all I really knew. Music was simply part of growing up.
It’s not unusual for a child in Hawaiʻi to pick up an ʻukulele and learn to play, and I was no exception. I picked one up as a kid, and more than 35 years later, I still haven’t put it down.
Over the years, what started as something natural and familiar became a much deeper connection to my culture. Traditional Hawaiian music, Hawaiian falsetto or leo ki’eki’e, and the soft, nahenahe style of music became a big part of who I am as a musician. For me, music has always been about connection, whether that connection is to home, culture, a memory, or simply a song that takes someone back to another time.
When my wife received military orders to Maryland, we PCS’d to the East Coast summer of 2024, and musically, I was starting over. Back home, I had spent years making a name for myself, but like so many military spouses experience, a PCS meant leaving that network behind and rebuilding from the ground up. I was the new guy in a place where no one knew who I was. It took about a year and a half of putting myself out there, meeting people, and taking opportunities as they came before I really started securing gigs. It wasn’t always easy, but it pushed me to grow and adapt.
Since moving to the East Coast, my music has evolved. I now perform as NAhe, and while Hawaiian music remains at the heart of what I do, I’ve incorporated more classic country songs that connect with the audiences I perform for here. One of the things that often surprises audiences is hearing songs they know performed entirely on an ʻukulele. Many people don’t expect this instrument to have the range and versatility that it does, and I enjoy showing them just how much it’s capable of.
This evolution has allowed me to stay true to where I come from while also growing into the musician I am today. Whether I’m singing a Hawaiian mele or an old country song, I want the music to feel genuine, relaxed, and familiar, like something that makes you stop for a moment, listen, and maybe remember somewhere or someone you love.
Hawaiʻi will always be home, and that will always be heard in my music.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Moving to Maryland had many struggles.
Financial struggles; I lost all of my income as soon as I left Hawaii. Over 4 years I had built my musical reputation and business that was successful in Hawaii. That all stopped when I got on my flight away from Hawaii.
We listed our House in Hawaii for Rent. It unexpectedly remained vacant for 7 months after we arrived in Maryland. Requiring us to pay for both our mortgage back in Hawaii as well as our rental home in Maryland. We quickly exhausted almost all of our savings and most of our credit during this period as I was without income.
Depression. I went from performing live music almost every day to not at all literally overnight. I couldn’t help but fall into a bit of a slump.
Starting my business from scratch. Initially my response rate from music opportunity inquiries with local venues was terrible. I was new. I wasn’t a local from the area and many of the venues had already set their music bookings for the entire year. I was only performing once or twice a month at the most.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a full time musician/singer/songwriter. I’m Hawaiian. Born and raised in Hawaii. I play the Ukulele and sing. I specialize in Hawaiian music and country music but can sing many other styles and genres. What mostly sets me apart From others is my sound. It’s a fusion of my Hawaiian music roots that influences anything I sing. It is always present. Also, my vocal tone is unique. In a Hawaii we call it “Nahenahe” which means “pleasing to the soul.” I go by the name “NAhe.”
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I’ve been a waterman my whole life. I grew up diving and fishing for food from the ocean. I still love it. Although I’m very far away from Hawaii’s ocean I enjoy fishing and crabbing in the Chesapeake. I was even sponsored by Hobie Kayaks to be on their fishing team for a year in Hawaii.
Additionally I help my wife with creating her Hawaiian Scented candles for her company “Mainalani Co.” She started her candle business in Hawaii and rekindled it when we got settled in Maryland.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nahe_hawaiian_country?stkn=MXBldWt3ZWE3MnhmNQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: HTTP://m.facebook.com/shaun.gomban
