Genoa Keawe

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A mainstay on the Hawaiian music scene for almost 50 years, "Aunty" Genoa Keawe is an icon in Hawaiian music. With her tremendous voice she has captivated audiences, kama ʻaina (locals) and malihini (visitors) alike. With a tremendous repertoire of traditional Hawaiian standards and Hapa Haole tunes, she is without equal. Many local artists include Aunty Genoa Keawe among their many influences.

[edit] Early life

Genoa Keawe's beginnings were full of moving about. She was born in Kakaʻako in a stable. In her childhood her family moved about several occasions. Before she was ten years old she'd already lived on Kauaʻi for several years and had moved back to Kakaʻako. By the time she was about 10 years old, her family had moved to Laʻie.

This move to Laʻie would help facilitate the phenomenol music career that would highlight her life. Aunty Genoa always loved to sing ever since she was a little girl. In Laʻie she received her early musical training as a member of the local Mormon church's choir. It was in choir that she built up her repertoire, knowledge and appreciation of music. She attended school here up until the 8th grade. Afterward she left school, got married and eventually had 12 children.

[edit] Career

She began performing music professionally prior to World War II at officers' clubs and at bandstand shows in Kailua. Eventually Aunty Genoa landed a radio show on KULA. Much like most other musicians, Aunty Genoa could not make a living solely on music. She also made money in her early years as a lei seller and as a taxi driver.

Her long and illustrious musical career has taken her throughout the islands and around the world. She has played at luʻaus, lounges, bars, and on numerous radio and television shows.

Aunty Genoa takes great pride in preserving "na mea Hawaiʻi". She learned to speak Hawaiʻian through her mother-in-law, who spoke Hawaiʻian as her first language. She arguably has perhaps the widest repertoire of traditional Hawaiʻian songs. Like many old-timers though, Aunty Genoa also plays her music by ear.

She has been recording music professionally since 1946. Her original record label was with the 49th State record company. She then went on to record with Hula Records. After a falling out with the company she then opened up her own record label, Genoa Keawe Records, to record her music and the music of her family and friends.

Along with her band, often known as Aunty Genoa's Hawaiʻians, she has helped to perpetuate Hawaiʻian music for the past 50 years. Though the members have changed over the years, the sound still remains the same, uniquely sweet and Hawaiʻian.

Today Genoa Keawe is still the "Auntie" of Hawaiʻian music. Her signature, sweet falsetto voice has set the standard for female falsettoists of today. Many of today's top entertainers count Aunty Genoa as one of their inspirations.

Aunty Genoa is still going at it, and you can still catch Aunty Genoa Keawe, one of Hawaiʻi's living legends and treasures still performing every Thursday at the Waikiki Marriott (formerly the Hawaiian Regent).

[edit] Sources

Burlingame, Burl. Da Kine Sound. Kailua, Hi: Press Pacifica, 1978.