KukuAu Studio - Hilo, Hawaii

Greg S.

The vibes here are pure magic—like the adventures you had with your best friends when you were 11. That electric feeling of discovery, freedom, and joy? This place brings it all back, but with improvised jazz to elevate the mood. 10/10.

Lucas C.

Jammed Jazz on Jazz Jam Monday. Jeez, this place is just the jackpot. Giving you the jitters as you take a journey through joy. No judgement. Not joking, jaw-dropping. Jorts? I liked the bongos.

Dana K.

Amazing venue, amazing bands, amazing crowd 🤘

Kim R.

If you are looking for the funkiest, most eclectic dive bar in town, this is it!! No real seating downstairs as this joint is all about the players. It’s their jam and you are welcome to sit upstairs and eavesdrop. A great place to people watch as it is clear lots of locals come.

Some competent playing but some real wandering wankery too - hey, it’s jazz! We left after the 4th song as it’s not really our scene.

By donation, $5.00 drinks.

Rehan M.

My goodness this is a GEM! We had a wonderful time at their Monday night jazz jam session 6-9pm. Completely free event that asks for donations, and/or patronage of the bar. The musicians are very talented and we loved watching them work pieces out and show their stuff. The venue is awesome and an eclectic collage of the community.

Annie L.

Maybe I just caught this place on a bad night, but it didn't leave a good impression. I love supporting local music and hate to leave a bad review, but wanted to caution anyone considering performing here. I went to an open mic here last night and the owner was very unwelcoming to some of the musicians, making snarky comments and almost skipped over some of the performers, even though it seemed that everyone had signed up in advance and there was a schedule for when each person would perform.. The place was set up really cute and I wanted to enjoy it, but I can't watch someone being unkind and not say something.
One of the especially uncomfortable moments was when a gentleman came onstage with an acoustic bass and the owner (who also handles the sound) seemed to purposely ruin the sound for his performance. I'm not a sound person but it was really obvious to the whole audience. At first there was too much treble, so the musician asked if they could turn down the treble, and the owner turned it WAY up and then turned away and started talking to his friends while the musician tried to play an instrument that didn't sound like an instrument over the speakers lol. He ignored the musician trying to signal to him that he needed help even though there were loud clicking sounds blaring from the speakers that everyone could hear. Eventually the person performing had to borrow a guitar from someone in the audience because the owner was not wanting to help. It gave me a yucky feeling and I was glad I didn't sign up to play music.

Mikkel G.

A very very interesting place. It feels like you're at a party in some old barn. There's many great musicians visiting here and it's free. I've been here for both open mic and jazz night. There's a very informal hippie-like atmosphere. It's a great place to meet locals as well

abbie W.

There is no where on this Island that i can think of where you have the privilege and pleasure to sing with a full live Jazz band! Crazy good musicians, super talented, and wonderfully welcoming, I cant wait to go back next Monday!