Genoa Keawe may be 87, but she's got stamina and vocal strength to out-sing anyone half her age.

"I get help from the Heavenly Father," said Keawe, a regular church goer. "I leave myself in his hands."

Sure, she's slowed down somewhat — she uses a cane to get around — but when it comes to singing her signature "Alika," with those succulent tones and breath-challenging, hold-the-note durability, she's still the champ.

She's ready for yet another showcase — this time with her expanding 'ohana, which is four generations strong (with a fifth-generation newborn due any day now) — in a Hawaiian music one-nighter at the Lili'u Theatre of the Hawai'i Convention Center.

And yes, she's still performing Thursdays at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa.

In tonight's concert, she gets to turn the spotlight on her grandchildren, nieces, nephews and great-grandchildren, who are as musical as their kupuna. It's a different kind of Keawe show, high on family charm.

"We'll have more than 20 hula dancers," she said of the eager clan.

Named one of Honolulu's top 100 citizens of merit in the city's centennial celebration, Keawe is irreplaceable and irrepressible. She still has a lot of get-up-and-go, and she's not yet contemplating retirement.

She paused long enough to answer Five Questions:

Q. You amaze young and old alike with your staying power. How is your health?

A. I'm good — with still a lot of energy. I tell you, I just can't sit around, I can't be doing nothing. Even at home, I'm always doing something; I've been busy writing, for instance. The Lord gives me the strength to upkeep myself.

Q. Does singing make you feel younger? No one can do "Alika" better than you.

A. I enjoy singing so much. I really do. I use the cane, while walking; I use it for precaution. I don't want to be falling on the street; I've seen people do that. But I feel happy when I sing, so that keeps me young.

Q. Retirement has never been in your vocabulary; but are you at least thinking about when you can hang up your 'ukulele?

A. Not yet. I don't want to retire yet. Everybody asks me, why don't I retire? I tell them, "When you don't see me around, you know I've retired." I love my life; I want to be doing something while I'm alive, so I just keep on going. When I'm six feet under, that's when I'll stop.

Q. Suppose you were to retire tomorrow ... what would be the first thing you'd do?

A. I'd just keep on playing my music. I'd carry my 'ukulele everywhere I go. Music makes my heart beat faster; it brings a smile on my face; it makes me happy. I'd have to just keep on going, but maybe do some things with the family.

Q. How are you planning to spend Christmas?

A. Because I'm not working, I'll be with the family, the grandkids. We pass out goodie bags for the kids; you hear this big heavy noise on the roof (referring to Santa's arrival). The family celebration is the weekend before Christmas, because on Christmas Day, all the families spend time alone. Thank God Christmas (is on a Sunday); some years, I've had to work. Work always comes first.

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.