Da Kine Sound is a mele Hawaiʻi folk duo from Hawaiʻi Island, uniting the musical paths of Dagan Bernstein of Waimea and Brad Bordessa of Honokaʻa. Lifelong students of traditional Hawaiian music, both artists bring deep roots and individual accomplishments, creating a sound that blends respect for the past with a fresh, new perspective.
Dagan Bernstein is a singer-songwriter whose solo work includes the full-length album Song for Waimea, a collection of mele inspired by the people and places of his hometown, and the EP Hoʻāle: I’m Coming Home, which reflects on his youth growing up in South Kona. Dagan was mentored by Braddah Smitty of The Sons of Hawaiʻi, and his music is distinguished by his fingerpicked acoustic guitar, rich vocals, and place-based storytelling.
Brad Bordessa is a seasoned performer and ʻukulele instructor known for his work as a multi-instrumentalist with the bands Kingside (ʻukulele) and Sweet Kanilehua (steel guitar). A student of Grammy-winner George Kahumoku Sr., Brad brings a strong foundation in mele Hawaiʻi and years of stage experience to the duo, anchoring the sound with his bass playing and vocal harmonies.
Together as Da Kine Sound, Dagan and Brad reimagine Hawaiian classics from the 1960s and ’70s while crafting new original mele. With performances throughout Kohala and Hāmākua, the duo recently released their debut album Da Kine Sound in November 2025, showcasing a blend of traditional influence, contemporary folk sensibility, and deep aloha for Hawaiʻi Island.
Go to the Dagan Music live page to see where Da Kind Sound is playing or learn more by visiting our Instagram page.
Dagan | Da Kine Sound 