From rodeo to radio, Hawaii Island veteran finds success in country music

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hawaii Island-born recording artist Waylon Nihipali is carving out space in country music, a genre he said can be “steeped in tradition.”

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“Some people are just set in their ‘good ole country boy from the South, that’s our genre’ thing,” Nihipali said. “But for the most part, I feel accepted in the country music industry.”

Nihipali, 44, is an Air Force veteran based in Nashville. He said he grew up competing in rodeo events and listening to the country artists his father admired.

Even as his sound evolves, Nihipali said his voice stays rooted in an earlier era.

“Whatever I’m putting out there, even if it’s modern sounding, my voice will still be ‘90s,” he said.

He said his songs are inspired by experience and observation — and that he has a deep catalog in progress.

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“I have, it’s gotta be hundreds of songs in my notes, uncompleted songs,” he said.

Nihipali said his music is played on country radio stations, but he has found a wider audience through self-produced music videos, some of which have gone viral on TikTok and YouTube.

“What I did instead of playing in the bars, I decided to teach myself videography and lighting and all that stuff,” he said.

Nihipali said country music’s worldwide popularity has helped open doors for artists outside what he called the “inner circle.”

He also said he is grateful for the support he receives from Hawaii fans.

“I could not have completed anything in country music in my career on my own,” he said.

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Nihipali returns to Hawaii each year to visit family and perform.