Ron Artis II Returns to His Hawaiian Homeland — and Brings Hundreds of Instruments with Him (Exclusive)

Award-winning singer, songwriter and guitarist Ron Artis II was playing the music he loved in the place he loved back in August when he got the terrible news that the place he loved the most had been engulfed in flames.

“It’s something that’s really hard to put into words,” Artis, 37, tells PEOPLE. “I mean, I’ve seen devastating fires that happen all over the world, but they hit differently when they hit a house. You never think something like that could happen in a place like Hawaii to such an extent.” He pauses. – I felt helpless.

Fortunately, that was a feeling that didn’t last long, as Artis and his friends almost immediately started brainstorming ideas to help.

“All collectively knew we had to pour ourselves into this,” says Artis, born in Haleiwa, Hawaii, who started playing guitar when he was 13. “This is our family. We knew we had to do whatever we could. This is something that restores my faith in humanity. All those falling things can make you feel helpless. And sometimes all you have to do is take a step forward.”

Ron Artis II.

Photo by J. Anthony Martinez

For Artis, that step forward was working with friends to find something to send to children and families affected by the wildfires earlier this year.

“I was sitting on the couch with my wife one day and I was like, ‘Why don’t we bring them music? Why don’t we just bring instruments?'” Artis remembers. “At first it seemed like a crazy idea. I am one person, and thousands of people are affected. How can we get hundreds of instruments to families?” He laughs, then says, “Sometimes all you need is a crazy idea and crazy friends to call.”

Instruments.

Photo by J. Anthony Martinez

And recently, Artis returned to Hawaii for the first time to see the tattered remains of his homeland, but he was also on hand to see the true spirit of his fellow Hawaiians at work.

“One of the beautiful things I love about Hawaii is that the community there is what holds everything together,” says Artis, whose song “No Weight” has recently served as an anthem for healing. “At the heart of it is music, surfing, being outdoors, all those things. It’s just opportunities for the community to come together.”

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With the help of many, Artis and his friends packed and shipped over 200 instruments straight to Maui. “I think anyone who has ever given or donated time and energy understands that,” Artis says. “You go there to give, but in the end it’s actually your it ends up receiving the most because of that feeling of being a part of that moment.”

Ron Artis II with a young guitar recipient.

Photo by J. Anthony Martinez

And while in some cases the instruments will replace those that were so cruelly affected by the fire, others will be given to children who have never touched an instrument in their lives.

“One of those kids could really heal by strumming and expressing their experiences through music,” Artis says. “For me, I’ve been playing music since I was young and it’s been a major therapeutic element in my life personally. Everyone has these feelings and things that you have to navigate in some way in life when you’re going through a loss, so I can’t even imagine the beauty and impact that this could have.”

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Ron Artis II sings with a student in Hawaii.

Photo by J. Anthony Martinez

While in Hawaii earlier this month, Artis also performed at the Ritz Kapalua, where he met directly with students affected by the fires. “They and their staff alone have 170 employees who lost everything in the fires,” says Artis. “It’s so close to home for everyone there.”

Through it all, Artis says he felt his creativity fueled by the whole experience. “I like to write a lot during my concerts,” he says. “It’s kind of weird to me. I’ll perform a lot of songs that people like to hear, but you can’t turn inspiration on. So if it comes, who am I to turn it off? So in those moments, it’s like I’m in the moment reflecting what is happening and what I’m sharing in the song. It’s a very healing process.”

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Source: HIS Education