Hoku (Hoku Christian Ho), whose name means "star" in Hawaiian, was born in Oahu, Hawaii to Don Ho and Patti Swallie. Her debut single "Another Dumb Blonde" appeared on the soundtrack to the movie Snow Day and also in the Total Request Live top 10. She later appeared on a Nickelodeon special with many other stars, such as Britney Spears, 'N Sync, Sean Combs, and Aaron Carter. Hoku attended La Pietra: Hawaiʻi School for Girls in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi and studied business at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, California.