Ata Damasco
Ata Damasco
Ata Damasco | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Arthur K. Damasco |
| Genres | Hawaiian, Gospel, Contemporary Christian |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, Composer, Humanitarian Advocate, Deputy Director of the Office of Hawaiian Subjects (OHS) |
Ata Damasco (Arthur K. Damasco) is a Hawaiian singer, composer, and humanitarian advocate known for his contributions to Gospel music, Traditional Hawaiian music, and his national leadership within the Office of Hawaiian Subjects (OHS) — the Chartered Government Reporting Agency of the Hawaiian Kingdom. He received the 2011 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award for Best Gospel Album of the Year for his album Somewhere Up Ahead.[1]
He is recognized for blending Hawaiian spirituality, Gospel traditions, and advocacy for Hawaiian Subjects under international humanitarian law.
Early Life and Background
Arthur K. “Ata” Damasco was raised in Hawai‘i, where he grew up surrounded by church choirs, Hawaiian mele traditions, and community leadership. From an early age, he developed a dual passion for music and public service, which would later shape both his artistic path and his humanitarian work.
Music Career
Damasco’s music reflects a fusion of:
Hawaiian Gospel
Traditional Hawaiian vocal styles
Contemporary Christian arrangements
He became known for his uplifting Gospel recordings and his reverence for Hawaiian spirituality expressed through musical performance.
Somewhere Up Ahead (2011)
Damasco’s award-winning album, Somewhere Up Ahead, earned the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award for Best Gospel Album in 2011. The album features original Gospel compositions, inspirational messages, and Hawaiian-rooted vocal stylings, establishing him as a leading voice in Hawaiian Christian music.
Role in the Office of Hawaiian Subjects (OHS)
Ata Damasco serves as the Deputy Director of the Office of Hawaiian Subjects (OHS), the official Chartered Government Reporting Agency of the Hawaiian Kingdom. In his capacity as Deputy Director, Damasco:
Oversees day-to-day OHS operations
Manages inter-departmental coordination
Assists the Director, Chief Kawika Kala‘i, in executing national policy
Serves as Acting Director during the Director’s absence
Represents OHS in official communications, humanitarian matters, and international correspondence
His role is documented in OHS administrative charters and governing policy.[4]
Humanitarian and Cultural Advocacy
Damasco’s humanitarian work includes:
Supporting Hawaiian Subjects facing unlawful confinement
Participating in detainee welfare monitoring and reporting
Helping families understand their rights under Hawaiian Kingdom law and the Geneva Conventions
Engaging in community education on cultural continuity and national identity
His responsibilities and humanitarian mandate are described in OHS public fact sheets and operational briefs.[5]
Legacy
Ata Damasco has established a dual legacy as:
An award-winning Hawaiian Gospel vocalist, and
A national humanitarian leader involved in protecting the rights of Hawaiian Subjects under international law.
His work in music and community advocacy reflects a blend of cultural integrity, spiritual expression, and service to the Hawaiian Kingdom.
References
- ↑ "2011 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award Winners". Hawaiʻi Academy of Recording Arts. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
- ↑ "Ata Damasco – Somewhere Up Ahead". Discogs. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
- ↑ "Somewhere Up Ahead – Ata Damasco". Spotify. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
- ↑ [/mnt/data/OHS job positions.pdf OHS Job Positions and Organizational Structure] Check
|url=value (help) (PDF) (Report). Office of Hawaiian Subjects (OHS). 2025. Retrieved 2025-11-22. - ↑ [/mnt/data/OHS_FACTSHET.pdf OHS Factsheet for Public Officials] Check
|url=value (help) (PDF) (Report). Office of Hawaiian Subjects (OHS). Retrieved 2025-11-22.
External Links
(You may add links such as YouTube performances, interviews, official artist pages, etc., once identified.)
Categories
Category:Hawaiian musicians
Category:American gospel singers
Category:Hawaiian Kingdom
Category:Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winners
Category:Living people
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
References
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