Getting to Know Hawaii\’s Joseph Soul

From Hāna to the Vegas Lights: The Journey of Joseph Soul

Long before the bright LEDs of Las Vegas became his nightly backdrop, Joseph Soul’s story began in the kind of place that raises artists with roots instead of shortcuts: Hāna. It’s quiet out there—rain, ocean, road, family—and in that kind of quiet you learn to listen. That listening became his superpower.

Born and raised in Hawaiʻi, Joseph grew up with music stitched into everyday life. In interviews and local coverage, he’s described as someone who was “born with music in his blood,” and even his given name reflects the cultural depth he carries—Joe-Sol Keoni Haʻaheo Okalani Malaikini. That sense of identity—family, island upbringing, pride—would later become a signature in his voice and stage presence: soulful, grounded, and unmistakably Hawaiʻi, even when performing thousands of miles away.

Like a lot of island musicians, his path wasn’t just one lane. Joseph developed as both a vocalist and a music professional—someone who could sing the room, but also understand the machinery behind the music. A Hawaiʻi news feature described him as versatile across roles: performer, DJ, producer, engineer, and songwriter—someone who had already been commanding crowds for well over 15 years. That matters, because it means when national attention arrived, it didn’t create him—it amplified what was already there.

By the time most of the mainland first heard his name, Joseph had already lived multiple music lives. He spent time on Oʻahu as well—one profile referred to him as a Makakilo singer originally from Hāna. That detail captures something familiar to Hawaiʻi people: you might be “from” one place deep in your bones, but your story collects other islands and neighborhoods along the way.

Then came the moment that put him on the biggest stage of his career.

In October 2020, Joseph Soul appeared on The Voice (Season 19). During the blind auditions, he performed “Is This Love” by Bob Marley—a choice that fit him perfectly: warm, rhythmic, and filled with feeling. The performance landed. Two coaches turned their chairs—Kelly Clarkson and Blake Shelton—and Joseph ultimately joined Team Kelly. For Hawaiʻi viewers watching at home, it wasn’t just a contestant getting a shot—it felt like the islands were in the room with him. A Hawaiʻi News Now story framed it exactly that way: a local singer repping Hawaiʻi pride on a national platform.

The competition intensified in the battle rounds. Joseph faced powerhouse vocalist Desz (also on Team Kelly), and although Joseph didn’t win that battle, his story didn’t end there. In a turning-point moment, Gwen Stefani used her steal to pick him up, bringing him onto Team Gwen. That “steal” mattered—because it confirmed what many already heard: Joseph wasn’t just good; he was the kind of artist coaches don’t want to let go.

Joseph continued pushing forward in the season, and later bios and festival write-ups note that he made it to the live quarterfinal stage, performing “How Deep Is Your Love” (the PJ Morton & Yebba version) live on NBC. For an artist from Hawaiʻi, that kind of national exposure is rare—and it’s the kind of moment that can either become a peak… or become fuel.

Joseph chose fuel.

After the show, he kept working—because that’s what real working musicians do. He kept building his catalog, his live reputation, and his connection to people. A later Hawaiʻi News Now segment (“Talk Story”) featured him reflecting on the experience and talking about what it was really like behind the scenes. It wasn’t just celebrity highlights; it was an artist processing a big chapter while still keeping his feet on the ground.

In 2022, Joseph made a major move: he relocated to Las Vegas. And if you know Vegas, you know it’s not a city that hands out wins. It’s a city where you earn your spot night after night—by being consistent, reliable, and undeniable. Joseph’s official bio says he can now be seen performing live all over the Vegas Strip. That’s the next phase of his story: taking island soul and professional versatility into one of the most competitive live-entertainment markets in the country.

But even in Vegas, the Hawaiʻi connection stays strong. Joseph’s name shows up on lineups that reflect the island-to-mainland pipeline—events that bring together local families, “9th Island” communities, and visitors hungry for that familiar vibe. (One example: he’s featured on promotional material for Las Vegas’s Pure Aloha Festival.) He’s also continued to push original music; his official site promotes releases and encourages fans to join his mailing list for new music, merch, and upcoming shows. 

Today, Joseph Soul stands as a modern example of what a Hawaiʻi artist can be: rooted and adaptable. A singer who can move a room. A DJ and producer who understands sound, timing, and energy. A professional who can step onto national television and still come home to the grind—show after show, song after song, city after city.

For readers of da9thisland.com/, his journey hits close to home: born from Hawaiʻi, tested on the mainland, and now representing in Las Vegas without losing the island heart. Whether you caught him on TV, at a community festival, or in a late-night Vegas set where the whole room starts singing back, the through-line is the same—Joseph Soul doesn’t just perform. He carries a place with him.

Were to get ahold of Joseph Soul.

• Website: https://josephsoul.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/josephsoul/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/josephsoul/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCB2Ewaiao4xppWDauuZaejQ
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4FUzuIJwoJGHn80Sm2mZbJ
• Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/joseph-soul/524422909
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/josephsoul