The Next "King of Waikiki"?

Island icon Don Ho, who has entertained generations of audiences, died of heart failure on Saturday, April 14 at the age of 76. After reigning for decades as the "King of Waikiki" by crooning hits like "Tiny Bubbles" and "I'll Remember You," Ho's passing now leaves a deep void in the island music scene. Who will be able to fill Ho's shoes? Are there any up-and-coming artists in this day and age who possess the same magnetism and allure that Ho exuded?

One local talent who may be up for the challenge is Justin Young. Simply known as Justin, his soulful ballads such as "The Valentine's Song" and "Soothe You" prove that he has the charm to captivate audiences in the same way. Justin began his music journey in 1995 when he won a song writing contest. This win earned him the honor of recording his very first local album. Since then, he has gone on to release eight full-length albums and has been featured on over 20 other records. Besides Justin's melodic voice and the ability to write touching lyrics, he has a hapa-haole music appeal similar to that of Ho. Although he does perform songs in Hawaiian, most of his tunes are in English and blend pop, R&B and soul. This well-balanced mixture of the exotic and well-known creates the possibility for a diverse fan base and widespread appeal.