Maui-born Anuhea Jenkins, who performs simply as Anuhea, broke out big in 2009 with the release of her debut album, “Anuhea,” which won her Na Hoku Hanohano awards for most promising artist and contemporary album of the year in 2010. Two albums later, Anuhea, 31, is successfully balancing the demands of her music career with the responsibilities of being the mother of an active 3-year-old son.
Last week she also became the spokesmodel for Cargo Cosmetics’ new “You Had Me at Aloha” line. That partnership developed after the company’s owner heard Anuhea’s song “Higher Than the Clouds” on the radio while vacationing in Hawaii and contacted the singer/songwriter.
JOHN BERGER: What are you working on these days?
ANUHEA JENKINS: I’ve been in Los Angeles working on my next album. There is a lot of emotion — a lot of blood, sweat and tears — going into this project and I’m really, really excited about it. We’re trying to finish it by April. We’re gonna definitely have it out by the summer.
JB: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
AJ: I just want to continue putting out great music over the next 10 years and watch that music and the audience grow with me as I get a little older. I also would like to dabble in things outside music. Maybe do some acting and (talk show) hosting.
JB: What is something you can’t do without when on tour?
AJ: I absolutely love my phone. I keep updated with social media, keep connected to home, keep connected to my son. I can flesh out ideas for the material for the new album. That feature on my iPhone is very helpful with all of that.
JB: Is there something you know now that you wish you’d known when you got into the music business?
AJ: The importance of perseverance, and keeping the connections with the people that you meet along the way. Maintaining those friendships is important.
JB: What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?
AJ: I pretty much am working every weekend doing shows, and then I do touring for more than a few weeks being away from home three or four times a year, so Monday through Thursday most of the time I get to be at home in Hawaii with my son, writing, doing stuff at home. I love cooking, I love watching my son grow up. Potty training is awesome.
“On the Scene” appears weekly in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser Sunday Magazine. Reach John Berger at jberger@staradvertiser.com.
