[1] A descendant of Robert William Wilcox and Theresa Laʻanui, Salazar has been involved in Hawaiian sovereignty issues for many years.

"[2] Salazar was raised on the island of Oahu and graduated from Kamehameha Schools, where she sang with the Concert Glee Club,[2] and the University of Hawaii,[1] where she learned Kihoʻalu (slack key guitar).

[3] At the start of her public career, Salazar performed with Hawaiian headliners such as Don Ho[3] Ohta-San, Ed Kenney and Charles K.L.

Other musical influences include Joni Mitchell, Johnny Mathis, Connie Francis, Stevie Wonder, Genoa Keawe, Gabby Pahinui, Lena Machado, and Marvin Gaye.

[3] Her first recording in 1986, Owana and Kaʻipo, In Kona was nominated in the category of Most Promising Artist in the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards, a Hawaiian music industry salute.

"Na Wai" is a playful poetic expression of love's experiences, full of Hawaiian kaona (hidden meanings).

Salazar was initiated into the Daughters and Sons of Hawaiian Warriors, Mamakakaua, a lineage society of descendants of Hawaii's ruling chiefs.

[4] She served as family liaison to the Mayor's Office of Culture and the Arts for two years, with the goal of planning, commissioning and unveiling a life-size bronze statue of her great-grandfather Robert William Wilcox.