Click on the pua (flower) below for a mele inoa (tribute song)
and photo of Aunty Genoa and her granddaughter:

Instead of giving your tûtû / tûtûkâne or aunty / uncle or mom / dad
or Hawaiian music-loving friend or relative
yet another piece of rickrack or food that's unhealthy for them,
gift them with an Aunty Genoa CD.
It'll bring them so much more JOY!

And then,
take them to the Hawaiian Regent to see Aunty Genoa herself.
Make it an `ohana outing.
It'll be that perfect and meaningful gift
for the whole family.

We arrived in Honolulu on Friday, checked in, and after that long flight, we quickly showered and readied ourselves to "go see Aunty" at the Hawaiian Regent hotel. My husband (aka Uncle T) made a quick call to the desk. checking what time Aunty Genoa would be there.

"But she's not here today," informed the hotel clerk. "Aunty performs here on Thursday. Yesterday."

Hah? THURSDAY, not Friday. We missed her. We were one day late. We should have checked ahead.

Looking at my husband's sad face, I could see that his disappointment matched mine. We had so looked forward to seeing Aunty Genoa up close and in person this trip.

To console ourselves, we drove up to McCully Chop Sui for an early supper of island comfort food (crispy gau gee mein -- no mo', you know, in California…), and resolved to arrive on THURSDAY, our next time back to O`ahu.

She has been a lifetime, respected presence in our lives. Her music. Her talent. Her class. Her lokomaika`i (good-heartedness). Her abundant Aloha. Her breath-defying notes.

And THAT smile that makes you smile right back.

How well I remember the shock of my girlhood when I saw the face of a beautiful lady smiling right at me in the local paper, The Hilo Tribune-Herald. A huge star in Hawaiian music was in town for a performance at the Hilo Civic Auditorium -- a monumental event for sleepy Hilo, worthy of front page coverage.

I was astounded with the uncanny resemblance of her face with my mom's. Carefully studying the features of the photographed face before me, I recognized my mom's down-turned eyes…the lips…the face shape… the wavy hair…the smile. But for the nose, this woman could be by Mom's sister.

"Yup, " I concluded. "She's my aunty alright."

Neatly clipping it out of the paper, I kept Aunty Genoa's picture under my mattress for years, taking it out from time to time to marvel at the resemblance and smile back at her. Just as the years altered my relationship with Santa and the Tooth Fairy, in time, I came to accept that Aunty Genoa was an "aunty" by Hawaiian tradition and understanding -- an honorary aunty.

To this day, whenever I see Aunty's face-- in performance, in print or these days, on the Internet -- I still marvel at the resemblance. Mom and Aunty Genoa still look like sisters.

These days, it's my husband, who often comments on this resemblance. Time has been kind to both, as they remain beautiful women. Both have retained THAT smile.

Over the years, from afar at lû`au and concerts and seeing her on TV or in the papers, I have grown in admiration of Aunty Genoa. From her, I've learned these lessons: Be gracious. Practice your faith. Acknowledge with a smile. And "no shame" share your Aloha with all people, not just your own.

"Don't look now," I whisper to my husband. "You're not going to believe who's sitting at the next table. Right next to us. OK, now look."

The slow smile of dawning recognition that comes over his face is priceless.

It is Aunty Genoa!

Years later, we are having dinner just mere feet-- perhaps no more than an arm's reach-- away from Aunty Genoa, herself!

A Hôkû moment.

Me ka mahalo a me ke aloha pumehana.

"[Johnny Almeida] was an accomplished `ukulele player and performed with such great artists as Genoa Keawe, Julia Nui, Joe Keawe and Alvin Isaacs. In fact, many outstanding musicians of today give credit to Almeida for launching their careers, including Genoa Keawe, Bill Lincoln, Billy Hew Len and David Keli`i."

"Legendary Hawaiian singer Auntie Genoa Keawe strolled through the door at Papakolea Park center to vote for her people to pull together as one.

Auntie Genoa, like other Hawaiians who voted yesterday for delegates to represent them in their sovereignty quest, found the polling site nearly empty.

"This is a day when things should be straightened out. Sunday is a day of peace and I had hoped they could make things happen. You have to think of everybody, all the Hawaiian people," said the 80-year-old falsetto singer, casting her sky-blue eyes to the distance."

"One Thursday last September at the Regent I caught a set by the legendary Auntie Genoa Keawe. She turned 80 last fall and can still stop the show with breath-defying notes that can last half a minute or more."

"Auntie Genoa Keawe was a student. She used to lift weights."

" If you want to hear some of the more famous members of the Kâne clan - including Uncle Andy Cummings and Auntie Genoa Keawe - sit back and enjoy Lei of Stars (Hana Ola/Cord), a collection of vintage recordings. Steel guitars, lush vocals, and the sounds of the Royal Hawaiian Serenaders...you'll swear the music is coming from one of those old wooden radios sitting over in the corner of the living room."

" Many of these songs use residual musical forms that are associated with native tradition -- from the chants of early Hawaii to the song stylings of the slack key guitarists. Many also will use some lyrics from the older songs, brought into the cultural repertoire of the new composers by artists such as the late Gabby Pahinui or Genoa Keawe, with only parts of the lyrics changed to "update" the songs for their new purpose. Thus, the new songs are located in a well-established tradition of the people's music, which enhances their appeal to a wide range of listeners and provides a basis for identification -- a fusing of emergent and residual ideologies, united in opposition to a dominant form."

"I Ali'i No 'Oe: This is another great standard in the hula and leo ki'eki'e (Hawaiian Falsetto) traditions. The songs speak of an unequal relationship between the royalty and commoners which it applies to a domestic relationship between a man and a woman. Many of the most respected musicians in Hawai'i have recorded this song including Aunty Genoa Keawe, and the Ho'opi'i Brothers among others."

"My first experience with Hawaiian music was with Alfred Apaka and Genoa Keawe. I've loved the music and the language from that first contact."

"'Alika: Another one of the great Hawaiian standards in not only Hawaiian Falsetto (leo ki'eki'e) but in Hawaiian music in general, 'Alika talks about an ocean voyage of a ship which like almost all Hawaiian songs contains a kaona, or double meaning. This song is almost always associated with the great lady who made it popular, Aunty Genoa Keawe."

"This is George [Helm}'s story, not my story," but described Helm's rare purity and soulfulness, like those of songbird Genoa Keawe and the late Gabby Pahinui."

"...appearance by "Auntie" Genoa Keawe, the octogenarian "FirstLady of Hawaiian Song," known for holding high notes long enough for you to go out to the bar, refill your mai tai and return to your table before she glides down again (look for some of her old 78s on Cord International's "Hula Hawaiian Style")."

"38. Encourage restaurants, showrooms and other entertainment places to present different types of Hawaiian music representing different periods as well as styles, etc. One can experience a wide range of Hawaiian music from the traditional (some might say "backyard") style of Genoa Keawe and Ku'uipo Kumukahi to the classical (Charles E. King) songs of Mahi Beamer and Jimmy Kaina, the hapa haole of Peter Apo and the contemporary of Ledward Ka'apana and Moe Keale, among others. Believe it or not, Hawaiian music almost defies neat categories, but all of these performers are capable of presenting almost any style or type of Hawaiian music."

"I talked about Auntie Genoa Keawe's 80th birthday bash in my last page -- whoo-wie, what an event! Almost everyone who is anyone in Hawaiian music was there, plus Auntie's family and a myriad of friends and fans. Those of you who were there will know exactly how great a party it was, and those who weren't will just have to wait until Auntie's 90th!"

"Genoa Keawe is famous for her leo ki'eki'e."

"Who is the greatest Hawaiian musician? Right now, I think the greatest figure in Hawaiian music is Genoa Keawe. She'll celebrate her 80th birthday soon. She does all the old songs."

"I learned to do the hula at a very early age from my biological mother, Punohue Kanamu and started dancing with Daddy Alameda, Lena Machado, Joe Keawe, Genoa Keawe, and Pi'ilani Watkins."

"On his mother's side, Ray [Kâne] is related to many famous Hawaiian musicians, including Andy Cummings, Genoa Keawe, Marlene Sai, Mekia Kealakai and others. From an early age he immersed himself in their traditions."

Dick Hinshaw wrote: "I saw a young woman singing with Genoa Keawe on a PBS ? special about ayear ago. I got the impression she was a relative--niece? They sounded really good together. Anyone know who she is? Or anything else about her?"

Auntie Maria wrote: "That was Aunty Genoa's grand-daughter, Mandy -- an apple which has not fallen far from that musical tree! Mandy is off to college on the mainland, but will join her tutu whenever she's home!"

Marjorie wrote: "Leave it to Auntie [Genoa] to create such a wonderful legacy of her music, her sound. Mandy is a "keeper". Watch her grow musically."

Marjorie wrote: "Just got the news that Genoa Keawe and Gary Aiko received a standing ovation at Carnegie Hall for their recent appearance there. But *of course*!"

JK wrote: "Aunty Genoa is amazing. The whole night was awesome! John Cruz, Sean Na'auou and Sistah Robi K. are definite faves of mine but all of the performers and the whole thing was amazing.

Aunty Genoa plays the ukulele with huge energy and her voice is simply amazing - she held notes for what seemed like minutes without ever being off key. My wife and I actually got to talking to someone in the lobby after the show and it turns out that this pretty lady was Aunty Genoa's granddaughter. Talk about a sweet person. What a cool night (even for us haole <--joking!)."

Reid Kaplan wrote: "Sarah and I were there Saturday night. It was a thrill to finally see and hear Auntie Genoa. In addition to her talent, she is funny and wise. She brought down the house with a few salty ad libs. When she asked people in the audience who could dance a particular hula to dance in place, a few did. But then, right below us (we were in the first tier right in front) a lovely woman in a slinky black dress got up and danced in the aisle. Wow! Staid Carnegie Hall came apart.

For Sarah and me the highest of the high points were Auntie and Chinky Mahoe's dancing. His halau was marvelous, but this was the first time we saw *him* dance. Sarah characterized his dancing as so smooth that he looked like he was ice skating.

BTW, just to let you know what we go through to see and hear Hawaiian artists:

Leave New Haven on the train at 3:58 for the 2 hour trip to NY. $46 dollars for 2 RT tickets.
Arrive NY, eat dinner at New York prices - this time we got away cheap for $56
4 Subway tokens = $12
Attend show at 8:00PM. 2 tickets = $80.
Show ends at 11:00+, hustle back to GCT, get on the 12:17 back to New Haven.
Get home at 2:30AM, fall into bed.

Except for Auntie, Chinky and Cyril, the show had essentially the same lineup as the *free* concert we attended at Maui ACC last July - great show then, too, but folks on the Islands got it sooooooo easy."

From Kaleo (Keawe `Ohana): "Just want everyone to know that you will find the re-release of these two most popular recordings on the Genoa Keawe Records label now on CD [HULAS OF HAWAI~I and BY REQUEST]. Keep a watch in your nearest record store. It is fresh off the press today!"

Judy Barrett wrote: "That should delight many a hula dancer! And, WOW! Aunty got her own label now! Congratulations!"

John Book wrote: "Genoa Keawe always had her own record label, the green label Genoa Keawe Records right? I know because the company was once a few blocks from my house in Pauoa (I remember seeing the signs). It was a block away from Pacific Chop Suey, and I think the place has a Korean BBQ now."

Nathan Yuen wrote: "July 3rd [1999] was a fabulous night at the Hawaii Theatre as classic Hawaiian melodies from the 40's and 50's resonated throughout the hall. ... Karen Keawehawai`i entertained us with her wonderful humor and improvisational skills when Auntie Genoa Keawe, the legend of Hawaiian music, came to the stage and put her on the spot. It was just incredible to hear Auntie Genoa sing "Akaka Falls" and her signature song "`Alika", which she belted out proving she can still hold that note "forever"."