Sitting atop Lako Street in Kailua-Kona is a two-acre property that’s changing lives through music. The music is more than just sound. It is a force for healing, connection, and opportunity. The land is the future home of a nonprofit trade school dedicated to empowering youth through music, culture, and hands-on learning.
The school was a vision of Grammy-nominated musician LT Smooth, a celebrated artist who pours his heart, faith, and life experience into creating a safe and inspiring space for youth, especially those facing hardships.
“When I was lost and down in the gutter, no one was there for me but God,” says LT. “Now I believe I am here for a reason, and that reason is to help others.”
Born Leon Toomata and raised in Aotearoa, New Zealand, LT Smooth faced many challenges growing up. He was involved in gang activity, struggled with addiction, and followed paths that led to trouble. But music, along with his spiritual faith, became his lifeline. Now 32 years sober, he says music saved his life. “Music has been a tool for healing. It has helped me grow, overcome, and become the man I am today.”
After meeting his wife, a Native Hawaiian, while attending Bible school, the couple married in 1997 and moved to Hawaiʻi in 2000. In 2007, LT received multiple Grammy nominations for his album Freedom, which blends Polynesian roots with soul and blues. He is currently working on his fourth album, which focuses on gospel. “It is all about change. It is about focusing on what matters, lifting others up, and putting God first.”
From 2013 to 2018, LT traveled to Rexburg, Idaho, where he spoke in high schools and correctional facilities, reaching nearly 29,000 students. He shared his story, led workshops on conflict resolution, taught music, and offered a message of hope. “Everything I teach comes from experience,” he says. “Drugs, violence, stealing, all of it. I have lived it. And I learned how to come out the other side.”
Although funding eventually ran out for the outreach in Idaho, LT brought his energy and vision home to Kona. Since 2013, he has been developing his property into a tuition-free school for youth in need. They are about 75% complete.
His nonprofit, the Hearo Foundation, supports this work and promotes learning through music, culture, and craftsmanship. The name “Hearo” was passed to LT by a hearing aid nonprofit in Arizona that believed in his mission and offered their nonprofit status to help launch his foundation.
Although the school is still under construction, LT Smooth is already changing lives. LT hosts music classes on site and teaches in local public and charter schools. Students learn to play instruments, write songs, and build confidence. “I always ask them, What is your calling? What brings you to life?”
The school will feature a full recording studio, music engineering and songwriting rooms, a culinary kitchen, dormitories, academic classrooms, and additional facilities. A special highlight is the wood shop, where students learn to build ukuleles and guitars. The wood is generously donated by Hearne Hardwoods, a company in Pennsylvania that has supported the project with materials from around the world.
“Every student gets one-on-one time,” says LT. “We can watch them grow and make sure they succeed in whichever trade they choose. Every piece of this school has a story. Every corner has meaning.”
Many students come from difficult backgrounds. Some arrive hungry. Others carry emotional burdens. LT says the school offers more than music. It provides trust, encouragement, and a space to breathe.
“We cannot control what happens when they go home, but we can make sure they feel loved when they are here. That is what this place is all about.”
Building the school has taken tremendous sacrifice. LT has invested more than $2 million of his own money over the last 13 years. He continues to fundraise while touring with his 10-piece band. For over a decade, he has performed at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland and for corporate events across the United States.
“Why not use my own time and money to help someone?” he asks. “When you see someone who was lost come back to life, that is the reason. There is a home here for them. Not just for me.”
To open the school’s doors to the broader public, LT Smooth still needs to raise around $2 million. He is hopeful that it will happen within the next few years.
To learn more or support the mission, visit HearoFoundation.org.