Michael Barretto

Born and raised in Hawaiʻi, Michael is kanaka ʻōiwi (native son). He has travelled the world, from Australia, through Europe and the US continent and territories as an independent musician and a member of Tal Mahal's HulaBlues Band. He has spent many a day with other indigenous brothers and sisters from Aboriginal Australians, Māori in Aotearoa, Taino in the Caribbean, Apache, Lakota and Navajo in the US and Inuit brothers and sisters in Sweden, learning their dreams and stories. The cultural links and similarities are unmistakable and the spiritual links between indigenous cultures are unmistakeable.

His early life spent on Kauaʻi with his grandparents imbued in him the Light and Knowledge of his ancestors, his ʻaumākua, and of the world. The unrelenting drive for unity and peace has given him the gift of mana and strength to share his understanding of the world, earthly and spiritual, with you.

Michael lives in Hawaiʻi between Maui and Hawaiʻi island with family and his wahine Dene on the slopes of Maunaloa near Pele. His dog Hoku, seven more dogs and 2 cats are always near and his Ukulele is always ready for a tune. Plus, he makes a mean chili.