This is a biography of Aunty Genoa Keawe written by her family and sent to news media this morning.

Genoa's music training began in Laie when she started to sing with the Mormon choir taught by Amoe Meyers.

Genoa's sister, Annie, has been a great influence in Genoa's career. Before church concerts, they would bring out a church hymn book and sing the songs. Annie would sing the alto parts as Genoa sang the soprano. Esther her Sister, the eldest in the family would purchase new clothes for little Lei as she was called for special performances. She recalls running home from school during lunch hours to listen to Johnny K. Almeida's radio show. Genoa is very active in her church work and attributes much of her success to Heavenly Father's help.

Soon after, her professional career began in 1939, she sang for bandstand shows in Kailua, Oahu and the Officers Club before WWII with George Hookano and his band. One day while listening to a radio show in the 1940's featuring Johnny K. Almeida, people were encouraged to call in and sing a song. On a dare by her friends she ventured the challenge. Genoa requested that she be allowed to sing a birthday song to her niece. The song was, "For You A Lei." After hearing her, Johnny asked her to come back and sing again. Joe Keawe a distant relative was asked to approach Genoa in behalf of Johnny K. Almeida to invite her back. So she returned, eventually she then joined the group to sing on KULA radio. Robert Luck formed a TV show in Hawaii entitled the Lucky Luck Show, and featured Auntie Genoa and her group as a regular entertainment from 1951-1955. She was also a featured soloist in the popular radio show "Hawaii Calls" for a few shows. In 1964 she sang with the Honolulu Rapid Transit Musicians on the KGU radio program.

Genoa enjoyed music so much that she entertained every weekend during her early years. The night clubs were Club Polynesia (6 days / week), Aloha Grill, Kapahulu Tavern, Waikiki Tavern, Waikiki Sands, Sierra Café, Knights Inn, Steamboats, Ala Moana Americana Hotel, the Willows, Duke's Canoe Club, & many more. Formerly the Hawaiian Regent Hotel now known as the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa is where she currently performs every Thursday, 6-9 PM for the past 10 years. It is labeled the best traditional Hawaiian performance in Waikiki by the Honolulu Magazine 2004, 2005.

Recording History

Genoa has recorded over 20 albums (33 & 78rpm) & approximately 150 singles (45rpm) which includes recordings with 49th State Records featuring her group Genoa Keawe and Her Hawaiians. She also recorded on other record labels such as Hula Records and Poki Records. In 1969, her own recording company was formed--Genoa Keawe Records, Inc. The Helsleys were visiting the islands from California and stayed at the Halekulani Cottages. Her friendship with Mr. & Mrs. Philip Helsley grew and they initiated the necessary documents to form a mutual business relationship. Genoa worked very hard as the producer, the artist, promoter and distributor of her own recordings. You will not find a person of this sort in today's music business climate. Today her record label continues with her as President of the business. Genoa Keawe Records, Inc discography are distributed by Pa Leo LLC. Her son Eric is her agent and manager today. Genoa continues to promote her music with her live performance at the Marriott Waikiki Beach Resort. Other artists recorded on her label are Peter Ahia, Kealoha Kalama, Joe Keawe, Jerry Waialae, Myra English, her cousin Andy Cummings, Joe Paoa and her sons--Gary, Edward and Sam.

Travels

Her travels have been many. They include Japan, Singapore, New Zealand, Tonga, Canada, Switzerland, Russia, Switzerland, Brazil and many cities in the continental US including Kodiak, Alaska. Her traditional Hawaiian music has reached many people through out the world. There is a Hula Halau in Amsterdam, Holland, wherein the Kumu comes to Hawaii once a year to update herself with the current hula and music that is going on in Hawaii. It's always a must to visit to Aunty Genoa at the Hotel when the Kumu is in town.

Awards & Recognitions

Prestigious awards include the 1980 Na Hoku Hanohano Sidney Grayson Award, later, the Anthology Award and the 1995 Female Vocalist Award. She has also been recognized by many private & public organizations. The City & County of Honolulu, the House of Representatives, State Senate, (2001) Office of Hawaiian Affairs, (2003) by Governor Linda Lingle on her 85th birthday for her contribution to the Hawaiian Culture. In February 2004, she and five other important individuals were honored with the distinction of being a "Living Treasure of Hawaii" by the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii. The David Malo Award was given to her by the Honolulu Rotary Club for her valuable contributions to the community. She was also honored in New Zealand as a gesture of goodwill between the natives of New Zealand and Hawaii. Many hula competitions, exhibitions and festivals honor her music at their events, such as the King Kamehameha Hula Competition and the Moanalua Gardens Prince Lot Hula Festival. In September of 2000 she received a national recognition from the National Endowment for the Culture and Arts. She traveled to Washington D.C. to receive this award. In that same year she was inducted into the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame. These are just a few of the numerous awards given her during her lifetime.

Genoa keeps the spirit of Hawaiian Music alive wherever she is. In fact, they say that she is Hawaiian Music at its best. Her music at a Luau is just as good as the food that is served. Many kumu hula start their beginning students with the basics, and part of it is dancing to Aunty Genoa's simple music renditions of hula standards. June 2004 one of her recordings entitled Party Hula's was nominated as #11 in the top 50 best recorded Hawaiian Albums by Honolulu Magazine and select professionals in the Hawaii music industry.

On May 14th, 2005, Genoa will be Honored with an Honorary Degree from the University of Hawaii for her knowledge and contribution to Hawaiian Music for over 60 years at home and abroad domestically and internationally. She will participate in the graduation ceremonies at the Windward Community College in full regalia to obtain this honorary degree. She has participated in a special music workshop at the Windward Community College.

Advice

Genoa has always been asked the same questions by interviewers. What do you think about Hawaiian music today? Do you think Hawaiian Music will continue? What recommendations can you give young Hawaiian musicians today? Her response has always been the same. The recommendation she offers to Hawaiian musicians today is "to respect the song writers' melody and words. Always attempt to stay with the original melody of the music and make sure that the words you sing are correct, so when the music is transferred from generation to generation it will never be lost. Learn your Hawaiian Language if you are singing Hawaiian. It will be an advantage for you to perform the music. You will be able to share the story that your song has to offer too many who do not speak our language. Our Hawaiian language is so beautiful. I love today's Hawaiian music, times change and new ideas evolve which is good for every new generation. As long as they remember their roots of whom they are and where they (their forefathers) came from." Genoa always says, "As long as we live, Hawaiian music will always be here, if the generations in the future will listen to my counsel: