 This week on Pakele Live! with Tony Solis we’re featuring Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winner Weldon Kekauoha!
Known for his beautiful vocals (Weldon’s version of “Queen’s Jubilee” has become his signature song and a fan favorite), Nā Hōkū’s “Most Promising Artist” of 2000 is a former member of the award-winning Mana’o Company and has won awards for his solo albums as well, of which there are three.
As is the case for many of Hawai’i’s musicians, the Kekauoha house was always filled with music. Weldon grew up listening to old recordings from the 1950s & 60s, especially those of his uncle, Little Joe Kekauoha. He showed a keen interest in music from an early age and began playing ʻukulele at age four. His natural abilities were evident in elementary school, where he stood out amongst his classmates. In 1973, his mother took him to audition for the Honolulu Boy Choir, and his singing talent was quickly recognized by director Roy Hallman. As a member of the choir, Weldon participated in performances throughout Hawaiʻi and extensively toured the continental U.S., Mexico and Canada.
During the late 1970s, Weldon’s grandmother often took him to hear performers such as Darrell Lupenui, the Makaha Sons of Niʻihau, Kekua Fernandez, Genoa Keawe and especially his uncle Kawai Cockett, all of whom helped in the shaping of Weldon’s musical career. His interest in music continued to grow, and in high school he and his brother Aaron entered Brown Bags to Stardom, earning a spot in the finals. Although they didn’t win that year, Weldon later won the Brown Bags competition with his high school group Na Kane Pono (which some years later became the popular, award-winning group Manaʻo Company). In addition, to playing with Na Kane Pono, he began filling in on guitar with Kawika Trask, which afforded him the opportunity to travel abroad as a musician for the promotional team at Hawaiian Airlines.
Through his years working as a flight attendant for Hawaiian Airlines, a pipefitter-helper at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, and attending college in Washington state, Weldon never lost his love of music and always found a way to perform. In the mid-1990s, home again after several years in Washington and following the break-up of Manaʻo Company, Weldon resumed playing with Kawika Trask. He was soon in the regular rotation, playing three to five nights a week for the next 14 years. The experience allowed him to improve on his musicianship and expand on his traditional-Hawaiian repertoire, slowly building his music foundation as he made his way from relative obscurity to that of a noted musician.
Offers of recording contracts soon followed. In 1999 he signed with Robert Kekaulaʻs record label A Guava Ding Thing, and together with noted producer Dave Tucciarone, they produced the album entitled “Hawaiian Man,” earning him his first Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award as the year 2000ʻs Most Promising Artist.
In 2002, Weldon and the other members of the Manaʻo Company, which had resumed playing after a 10-year hiatus, won five Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards for their album “Spread A Little Aloha,” which had been an instant success. Weldon then returned to his solo career, releasing his second album, “Kanaka Maoli.” A mix of contemporary and traditional Hawaiian music, it highlighted his growth as a songwriter, arranger and producer and earned four Nā Hōkū nominations. His third album, “Ka Lehua ʻUla” won yet another Na Hōkū award, exemplified his maturity as a producer and song writer, and solidified his place within the Hawaiian music community. He is currently working on his 4th album.
Please join host Tony Solis as we welcome Weldon to the Pakele Live! stage on Thursday, October 6 from 6:30-8:30p.m. HST at the Willows Restaurant (901 Hausten St., Honolulu). This will also be a special taping of the brand new series, “Behind the Mele.” Those who are unable to attend can watch the live stream at www.pakelelive.com. (The show will also be edited for television and shown at a later date on OC16 TV and www.oc16.tv)
Admission is free and all ages are welcome. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. (Doors open at 5:30.) Guests may choose from the full nightly buffet ($34.95) or an a la carte menu created especially for Pakele Live! (and available only during the show), with prices ranging from $5 to $16. Drink specials are also available. Validated valet parking is only $3.
Note: If you watch online, don’t forget to email the show at pakele @ lava.net and let us know you’re watching! Mention your name and where you’re located - city, state – or country, if outside the U.S.!
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Weldon Kekauoha ~ Pakele Live
Posted - 10/05/2011 : 10:02:48 PM
