Image courtesy of Ron Dahlquist

Born on O'ahu, raised in Kalama'ula on Moloka'i, and currently living in Wahie'e, Maui, young Raiatea Helm's life up to this point has taken an interesting path. Now with two acclaimed albums out and her bright falsetto singing being embraced far beyond the shores of Hawai'i, the 21-year old's days are bound to get even more interesting.

The singer's debut album, Far Away Heaven, featured a mix of traditional and contemporary Hawaiian songs and was released in 2003 to a tremendous reception when she was just 18 years old. Sweet & Lovely, her sophomore effort from 2004, earned her more exceptional reviews and an even larger following. At the 2005 Nä Hökü Hanohano awards ceremony she was named Female Vocalist of the Year and Favorite Entertainer.

Evidence that the Raiatea rocket has transcended local popularity and launched into the stratosphere of mainstream musical fame? Just check out the increasing number of concerts she plays in places like San Diego, New York, China, and Japan. In July of 2005 Sweet & Lovely was ranked eighth among top world music albums. Lately she has had an overwhelming presence in magazine ads, TV commercials, and newspaper write-ups, but Helm has adjusted well and welcomes all of the attention.

"More and more people know who I am now," explains Helm. "That means they get to listen to my music and buy my albums, which makes me feel good about myself. It motivates me knowing that lots of people listen to my music." Whereas some of Hawai'i's Young Traditionalist singers are concentrating more on pioneering a new sound for the genre, Helm simply enjoys performing songs that connect with people. "It's so great to see people happy when they listen to my music--to see people cry with tears of joy, knowing that they love the sound of it. I like to feel my songs and I like to see the audience feel the music as well."

Helm says she isn't so focused on incorporating elements into her sound that haven't before existed in Hawaiian music. "Just the fact that I'm young and I sing songs from the old days is something very rare. What I try to concentrate on more is to keep the Old Hawaiian music alive, and I think that's way more important."

It is clear from her first two albums that she is a leo ki'e ki'e master. This is a style of singing reminiscent of the '40s and '50s that involves a high range along with the ha'i, or breaks in between the notes. "My style is also considered very pure and free-flowing," adds Helm. "People always tell me my style is sweet sounding."

Raised on the slow and easy Friendly Isle of Moloka'i, a place that is known for not having a single traffic light and only a few paved roads, Helm's childhood was focused on 'ohana and learning the Hawaiian culture. She was born into a musically talented family and by the age of three was already showing an interest in hula; later, she developed a deep respect and appreciation for the Hawaiian language and the art of interpreting a mele through rhythmic dance movements.

"Growing up on Moloka'i gave me a great appreciation. I was very lucky," explains Helm. "It was all about families and friends and everyone remained close to one another. I had so much fun growing up on Moloka'i."

The girl with the golden voice now resides on the northwestern end of the Valley Isle with her older brothers, Carlton and Curtis, and is currently attending Maui Community College and working part time for Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa. While she tours and plans a third album, she somehow manages to fit in performances at the Humuhumunukunukuapua'a restaurant at the Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa whenever she is home on Maui.

Sweet & Lovely is an album that can be heard all over Hawai'i right now and will likely only gain in popularity in the years to come. It has a classic sound featuring steel and rhythm guitars, piano and upright bass, and on many tracks Raiatea plays ukulele. While Raiatea's father, Zachary Helm, performs lead guitar and back-up vocals on Kalama'ula, the wonderful Aunty Genoa Keawe and Keali'i Reichel also make guest appearances. "It's an honor to have both of them on the album. It was so fun working with them," says Helm. "I'm blessed to have the great opportunity to put out a recording with two legendary artists."

During the song Alika and again on Kalama'ula Helm showcases her skill by holding a note for what seems like an eternity and at the tail end of it actually has the control to carry her voice higher--all in the same breath. "It takes a lot of practice to hold that note," Helm assures us. "I held it on the second try for that recording. It's normal for me because I practice a lot and I'm a swimmer, so I know how to hold my breath pretty long under water."

Her late uncle, George Helm, revitalized traditional Hawaiian music through his fresh singing style but also became a well-known activist who in the mid-'70s helped bring attention to the desecration of Kaho'olawe by the U.S. Navy. The Navy had been using the island as a bombing target since 1941 and Helm was among a small group that traveled there on numerous occasions in protest. Though Helm died at sea during one of these trips, Kaho'olawe was returned to the state of Hawai'i in 1994 and today is lusher than ever due to ecological restoration efforts.

With relatives like these, who understood how to make an impact, young Raiatea is determined to keep on sharing the spirit of Aloha and the beauty of Hawai'i through her songs. "I believe it's really important to perpetuate the Hawaiian culture through music," she says. "The most important thing though is to get people motivated. It would be really sad for us to lose our culture and see it die. My goal is to send my music around the world and for our culture to live on."