Paula Fuga, known as Hawaii’s “Queen of Soul,” will perform July 12 at Ocean Vodka Farm. Photo courtesy Sean Michael Hower

Performing at an “Upcountry Farm Dinner Experience” at the Ocean Vodka Farm on July 12, multi Nā Hōkū Hanohano winner Paula Fuga is among the musicians who have contributed to the soundtrack of the eagerly awaited Hawaiian epic series, “Chief of War,” starring Jason Momoa.

“I lent my vocals for some background in the music, singing and a bit of chanting,” Fuga explained. “I’m so grateful. One of my best friends is Kaumakaiwa Kanakaʻole, and she was helping them with a lot of cultural advising, the Kanakaʻole family being such a wealth of knowledge. She asked me if I could do some vocalizing, so I’m so grateful that I could be a small part of that. It’s like the biggest thing that’s come out of Hawaii highlighting our culture and history.”

A spellbinding artist who crafts emotionally stirring music that displays her early shaping by gospel, blues and classic soul, in recent years Fuga became enamored with the art of filmmaking, feeling inspired to produce her own short film. The resulting work, “Kūkini,” is now available for viewing on Hawaiian Airlines flights.

“It’s a Hawaiian short film about a Hawaiian warrior,” she said. “It’s a fictional character set in a historical period in Hawaii. I’ve had this movie in my head for 25 years and finally, in 2021, I was like, it’s time to start writing it down. It’s a dream. I believe in the power of words and writing things and making them come true.”

Attending some Hawaii International Film Festival screenings, she connected with producer-director Gerard Elmore. “I got grants from Pacific Islanders in Communications, and I made this film.” It debuted at the Hawaii International Film Festival in 2024.

She’s already imagining her next film project.

“Kūkini (is) only part of the story that I want to tell,” she said. “I have so many incredible scenes in my head. All my films in the future will always be somewhat educational, in the perpetuation of cultural practices that are no longer common today.”

The Hawaiian artist knew at an early age that she was blessed with a voice that would move audiences. In time she became lauded as Hawaii’s “Queen of Soul.”

Winner of the Most Promising Artist award at the 2007 Hōkū Awards for her irresistible debut album, “Lilikoi,” she triumphed again with the release of her second album, “Rain on Sunday,” which won Female Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year in 2022. A live collaboration with Jack Johnson and John Cruz on “Songs for Maui” was released a year later to benefit families in need.

The big news, this beloved artist is currently compiling songs for her next album working with Brad Watanabe of The Green.

“I’m just finishing up writing a bunch of songs,” she said. “I get all my ideas, write them down, and tighten it up before I show it to Brad Watanabe. He’s one of my best friends and one of my music producers. The most beautiful thing about playing music for me is being able to do that with the people I love. It’s just so fun, especially because music is the reason I’m here on Earth. I’m able to do the thing that you love with people you love. There’s just no better feeling than that.”

The new project will be released on Jack Johnson’s Brushfire Records label. Johnson has been a Fuga fan for years, inviting her to tour with him and recording together.

Does she know if Johnson will contribute to the new album?

“I sure hope so,” she said. “He’ll definitely have a say in a lot of it, how we organize the order of the songs. The last time I made an album and showed it to him, he signed me. I knew that was going to happen.”

And she is also looking toward presenting another tribute to soul queen Aretha Franklin. Her amazing tribute show at the Maui Arts & Culture Center in 2022 was one of the highlights of the year.

“I am going to be doing another show,” she announced. “Everybody should keep their ears open. I’m currently working on my set list. I’m narrowing all the songs down right now.”

Looking forward to performing at the Ocean Vodka Farm, she will be accompanied by a bassist and keyboardist.

“Maui is my favorite island,” she said. “So any opportunity I get to come and play is always a treat for me.”

Presented by Ocean Live Entertainment and Mana’o Radio, the Upcountry Farm Dinner event on July 12 will feature Fuga with Tempa & Naor opening. Doors will open at 4:15 p.m. The evening will include a VIP Meet & Greet with Fuga. General Reservations are $55. VIP reservations are $200, which includes the meet-and-greet, a photo op, preferred seating, a cocktail and a souvenir tumbler. Reservations are available at bit.ly/40G4vVz.