Hawaii Music Icon Aunty Genoa Keawe Dies
Performer Perpetuated Hawaiian Culture
POSTED: 11:14 am HST February 25, 2008
UPDATED: 3:54 pm HST February 25, 2008
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HONOLULU --
One of Hawaii's most treasured musicians and singers, Aunty Genoa Leilani Keawe, died on Monday morning.Keawe's career began in 1939. The 89-year-old Hawaiian music performer battled illness for the last decade of her life.
Career Highlights | Official Web Site
Keawe had been hospitalized at Queen's Medical Center earlier in the month but was discharged after improving, friends told KITV."But the strength of the lady just kept her going on and singing. She would even sing to the nurses and the doctors," Eric Keawe said.She died in her sleep at her home in Papakolea, according to a written statement by her son Eric Keawe.Genoa Keawe was one of the last old-style Hawaii singers. She was noted for being able to sing in the ha`i style."A lot of people did not understand the words that she sang, but they sure felt her music through her voice and just her persona," Eric Keawe said.After singing in many locations and on radio and TV, Keawe in 1969 created her own record label: Genoa Keawe Records, Inc.Keawe recorded 20 albums, performed on TV and radio shows, sang at Waikiki hotels for decades and traveled the world to spread the reach of Hawaiian music.She was honored by the Hawaii Recording Industry, lawmakers and community groups for perpetuating the Hawaiian culture through her music."She taught me the music will come as long as I am continually giving thanks to where it's due, to our Heavenly Father," Pomaikai Lyman said.Keawe had 12 children, 40 grandchildren 98 great grandchildren and 81 great, great grandchildren.
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Career Highlights | Official Web Site
Keawe had been hospitalized at Queen's Medical Center earlier in the month but was discharged after improving, friends told KITV."But the strength of the lady just kept her going on and singing. She would even sing to the nurses and the doctors," Eric Keawe said.She died in her sleep at her home in Papakolea, according to a written statement by her son Eric Keawe.Genoa Keawe was one of the last old-style Hawaii singers. She was noted for being able to sing in the ha`i style."A lot of people did not understand the words that she sang, but they sure felt her music through her voice and just her persona," Eric Keawe said.After singing in many locations and on radio and TV, Keawe in 1969 created her own record label: Genoa Keawe Records, Inc.Keawe recorded 20 albums, performed on TV and radio shows, sang at Waikiki hotels for decades and traveled the world to spread the reach of Hawaiian music.She was honored by the Hawaii Recording Industry, lawmakers and community groups for perpetuating the Hawaiian culture through her music."She taught me the music will come as long as I am continually giving thanks to where it's due, to our Heavenly Father," Pomaikai Lyman said.Keawe had 12 children, 40 grandchildren 98 great grandchildren and 81 great, great grandchildren.
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