 This week on Pakele Live! with Tony Solis we’re excited to host a return visit by Keale. Although he generously donated his time as one of the performers during our Kōkua Japan benefit concert series, he hasn’t graced the Pakele Live! stage for a full show since 2009!
A member of Hawai’i’s well-known and well-respected Keale family (his first cousin is Israel Kamakawiwo’ole – IZ – and his uncle was the legendary Moe Keale), Keale began his musical career relatively late in life. Immediately following the 2002 death of his beloved Uncle Moe, Keale had what some call a vision and others call supernatural: Uncle Moe came to him while he was sitting at Kailua Beach and said, “‘I love your music. I love your music.” Keale initially didn’t say anything about the encounter, because he thought to himself, “I don’t have any music. What do you mean, Uncle?” He said Uncle Moe repeated, “I love your music, no worry, I love your music,” and then added, “You are Keale.”
Keale credits that vision with his decision to begin playing music – and through his voice (it’s obvious he inherited the family musical genes) and the ‘ukulele and guitar, he is continuing in the footsteps of his uncle and is helping to uphold the Keale family name. He lives and breathes the culture of Hawai’i, and his gentle voice and soul touch people of all generations as he tells the stories of his ancestors through his beautiful music.
A member of the award-winning band Kaukahi, (the band won four Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards in 2007 for their debut album), and working with artists such as Hawai’i’s own Jack Johnson, Keale has also made a name for himself as a solo artist. His debut solo CD Kahikina (“sunrise”) was released in 2007 and contains songs that express both who he is and what it means to him to be Hawaiian. His second album Kawelona (“shimmering of the setting sun”), released in 2009, continues in that vein, with 9 of the 16 songs sung in the Hawaiian language (or partially in Hawaiian), most of which come from chants he arranged to music. The album also contains two songs featuring keiki – one with the keiki of Ke Kula o Ni’ihau, and the other featuring his daughter Emma and Kaukahi bandmate Dean Wilhelm’s three daughters.
In addition to regular performances and tours with his Kaukahi band mates, Keale performs with other musicians and as a solo artist – in fact, he was invited to perform at President Obama’s inauguration.
Join host Tony Solis for Pakele Live! on Thursday, June 16 from 6:30-8:30pm HST at the Willows Restaurant (901 Hausten St., Honolulu). Those who are unable to attend can watch the live stream at www.pakelelive.com. (The shows will also be edited for television and shown at a later date on OC16 TV and www.oc16.tv)
Admission is free, no reservations are required 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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Keale (w/Chris Lau), Pakele Live 6/16
Posted - 06/15/2011 : 7:31:22 PM
