The husband-and-wife duo, who perform as Milinanea, will join Rudy Aquino and Maurice “Mo” Newport for a series of lunchtime performances from July 25 to July 31 at venues around town and Muri.

Their visit follows a successful showing at the 49th annual Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards, held on Oʻahu on July 11, where Darrell won Best Rock Album of the Year. The couple’s collaborative project, Waikiki to Rarotonga, featuring Rudy Aquino and Maurice “Mo” Newport, was also a finalist in the Island Music Album of the Year category.

Often described as the Hawaiian equivalent of the Grammy Awards, the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards recognise excellence in Hawaiian music.

A nine-time Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winner, Darrell is the younger brother of Cook Islands musician Rudy Aquino. Born and raised in Kailua, Oʻahu, he is an accomplished vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, performing on electric bass, acoustic guitar and electric guitar. His musical repertoire spans Hawaiian music, slack key, adult contemporary and rock.

Lassiter is also an acclaimed performer, having won the 2025 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award for Female Vocalist of the Year.

Newport said he has been performing professionally with Darrell since 2007, when the pair regularly played together at Hilo International Airport.

Milinanea is preparing to release its next album, Circle Island Bus Stop Tour, on August 4 to coincide with the Cook Islands’ Constitution Day celebrations.

Darrell and Christy said they are looking forward to returning to Rarotonga to share their aloha through music alongside Rudy and Newport during their week-long performances.

Their public performance schedule includes: Monday, July 27: Cooks Corner Bus Stop, 11am–12.30pm; Wednesday, July 29: The Plaza, 11.30am–1.30pm; Thursday, July 30: Trader Jacks, 12pm–2pm and Friday, July 31: The Beach Hut, Muri, 12pm–2pm.