About Us
MighTy J represents a collaborative effort in Harmony.
Three women from three of Hawai’i’s most popular musical groups have joined together to form MighTy J. It’s members include Mailani Makainai (Keahiwai), Tiki Suan (Milo Shade) and Jenn “JRoQ” Wright (Kanalo and Simple Souls.) These ladies are passionate about their music and because of their different backgrounds, create a sound that is unique enough to be called “World Music,” but also rooted in the soul of Hawai’i. Their usage of different types of instruments and infusion of different genre knows no bounds. Please check back regularly for the MighTy J Performance Schedule, and be sure to visit their Mighty MySpace page for more information.
If you haven’t yet done so, subscribe and tune in to MighTy J TV, an innovative and creative effort in reaching out to fans in the ever changing world of technology and music. Register and send a shout out in the Live Shoutbox on the sidebar of this site to say hello to the girls… they regularly visit, so you might catch someone chatting in there. And, if you’re a fan of MighTy J, please send us photos, videos or drawings you have for us! We’ve got an EXTRAS page just for you!
Mailani Makainai
Nickname(s): Mai. I have a nick name family calls me, but ya’ll can just call me Mai
Hometown: Kailua, believe it or not, before it started looking like California. I mean, when I was a kid it was already looking like California, but now, there’s no denying it. It’s become that even with all those fancy shops and CPK express and a water fountain? I remember when Star market used to be where Hardware Hawaii is now. I used to walk with my mom for groceries all the way from Kaulani (One way) Street, down that lane used to be this huge beautiful Christmas show and an old man used to hand out candy canes. Elves skied down the rooftop of his home. It was just cool.
High School/College: Maryknoll / University of Hawai’i Manoa - I look back and see that I am happy I went there (Maryknoll). It was one of those… you wouldn’t fit in anywhere else, so hey MARYKNOLL… But while there, I truly hated high school. My thought daily… “Why?”
UH on the other hand? I LOVED it. I learned a lot about myself. I didn’t need a clique to survive. I wasn’t part of one in high school, I so didn’t need one in college. I made strong friendships with a lot of people. I haven’t really kept in touch with many of them, but they know I love them and I know they love me. It’s weird. It’s like you’ve found some of the best friends ever in college and all that political crap you had to deal with your friends in high school (like who said what about whom) just fades away in college. And then you go out into the real world with your careers and its political crap all over again. This is what we’ve graduated to?
Career: Physical Therapist / Musician, Singer, Songwriter
When did you first start playing music: Well, I was finally serious about learning how to play the ukulele @ age 13. And believe it or not, Lei (my partner in Keahiwai) taught me a lot. But you gotta teach yourself overall. That’s what it is. And anyone who knows would agree with me. To learn anything, you gotta love it enough to learn it.
Instruments that you play: Ukulele / Guitar / A little bit of harmonica in G
Musical Inspiration: There are always too many, but as a child I fell in love with Theresa Bright. What a name, and what a voice.
Favorite artists: I have too many favorite artists! locally though, well y’all met Theresa, George Helm, Jon Osorio (which I think should be inducted in the Hawaiian Hall of Fame-all of em), Kanalo, Milo Shade, and Kanoa Kukaua!
Hobbies: Well prior to mommyhood, Tiki and I surfed together a lot. A LOT! Like every week… for reals dawg. I loved it. I wasn’t this awesome surfer, but I really loved it and it was such an amazing work out! I will always love the ocean!
Tiare “Tiki” Suan
Name:Tiare Suan
Nickname(s): T, Tiks, Tikster, Tiko, Chandelle B.
Hometown: Wahiawa, Hawaii
High School/College: Iolani, Pacific University (Oregon)
Career: Technical Support @ TWC /Singer/Performer
When did you first start playing music: When I was about six years old and my mother made me sing karaoke for hours.
Instruments that you play: Bottles and caps, rubberbands, water glasses, a little guitar, egg shakers… LOL
Musical Inspiration: Sade and Gwen Stefani – They are charismatic artists that woo the masses with their performances.
Favorite artists: Sade, No Doubt, Save Ferris, Dance Hall Crashers, India Arie, Aaliyah, John Mayer, Mai and Jenn, Toby Lightman, Country Comfort… andwho doesn’t love BOB!
Hobbies: Golfing, surfing, eating, wakeboarding, snowboarding, working out, cruising, music
Jenn “JRoQ” Wright
Name: Jenn Wright (Jennifer is my legal name, in case you were wondering… and no, you can’t call me that)
Nickname(s): JRoQ, J, JJ, Jenny, Jenn-O, JRoQs the Party, Tha Chick From Tha Fifty
Hometown: Born in Honolulu, Oahu, HI / Raised in Kaneohe, Oahu, HI
High School/College: James Bicknell Castle High School
Career(s): Store Manager, Musician
When did you first start playing music? Apparently, I used to always sing when I was younger. My mom would always record me, but fortunately for me, we don’t have any tapes of that anymore! I taught myself how to play the drums on pillows by watching one of my favorite groups of all time, Queen playing a live concert on VHS video. I didn’t take PLAYING music seriously until my junior year in high school.
Instruments that you play: Drums, Percussions, a little bit of Guitar
Who is your musical hero? For Hip Hop - Lauren Hill (her lyrics and delivery are intense!), For Rock - Queen (to whom of which none of this would be possible because they have inspired me to do what I love, and that’s playing it! now I can feel my music and I play drums), and No Doubt - for bringing the energy hard and giving an insane performance…
Favorite artist(s): Queen, Lauren Hill, No Doubt, Gwen Stefani, Missy Elliot, Prince, Alicia Keys, Beyonce, The Beatles, Toby Lightman, KT Tunstall, John Mayer… I’m forgetting lots.
Hobbies: Updating our website and various myspace pages, Finding new songs to listen to that move me, writing music / lyrics, Hanging out and doing nothing (which hardly EVER happens anymore), Doing tedious crafts (friendships braclets, origami, beads, etc.) – which never happens anymore… lol.
greetings people of mighty j land.... i come in peace. i've come to BREAK the SILENCE in this SHOUTBOX!!!!!!! Hope all is well where you are! 
it's friday!!!!!!
