When he returned to Hawaii, he continued his artistic studies at the University of Hawaiʻi while simultaneously embarking on several business ventures.
Since then, Jon de Mello has produced over 150 recording projects that range from traditional Hawaiian to contemporary Hawaiian to island music, most notably being Israel Kamakawiwoʻoleʻs multi-platinum selling Facing Future and Alone in Iz World albums.
[4] He worked closely in developing a CD that was nominated on the 2002 final Grammy Award ballot for "Reggae Album of the Year."
The recording projects he has developed and worked with have garnered over 100 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards.
[5] Today, de Mello composes original music for television shows and motion pictures, produces, mixes and arranges recordings of his company's artists, designs album covers and point-of-purchase display material, and edits music videos.