Aunty Genoa Keawe's beginnings were full of moving about. She was born in Kaka'ako in a stable. In her childhood her family moved about several occasions. Before she was ten years old she'd already lived on Kaua'i for several years and had moved back to Kaka'ako. By the time she was about 10 years old, her family had moved to La'ie.

This move to La'ie would help facilitate the phenomenol music career that would highlight her life. Aunty Genoa always loved to sing ever since she was a little girl. In La'ie she received her early musical training as a member of the Mormon Church's Choir. It was in choir that she built up her repertoire, knowledge and appreciation of music.

She began performing music professionally prior to WWII at officer's clubs and at bandstand shows in Kailua. Eventually Aunty Genoa landed a radio show on KULA.

Much like most other musicians, Aunty Genoa could not make a living solely on music. She also made money in her early years as a lei seller and as a taxi driver.

She attended school up until the 8th grade. Afterward she left school and got married to her husband. Together they had 12 children.

Her long and illustrious musical career has taken her throughout the islands and around the world. She has played at lu'au's, lounges, bars, and on numerous radio and television shows.

Aunty Genoa takes great pride in preserving na mea Hawai'i. She learned to speak Hawaiian through her mother-in-law who speaks Hawaiian as a first language. She arguably has perhaps the widest repertoire of traditional Hawaiian songs. Like many old-timers though, Aunty Genoa also plays her music by ear.

She has been recording music professionally since 1946. Her original record label was with the 49th State record company. She then went on to record with Hula Records. After a falling out with the company she then opened up her own record label, Genoa Keawe Records, to record her music and the music of her family and friends.

Along with her band, often known as Aunty Genoa's Hawaiians, she has helped to perpetuate Hawaiian music for the past 50 years. Though the members have changed over the years, the sound still remains the same, uniquely sweet and Hawaiian.

Today Genoa Keawe is still the "Auntie" of Hawaiian music. Her signature, sweet falsetto voice has set the standard for female falsettoists of today. Many of today's top entertainers count Aunty Genoa as one of their inspirations.

The good news is that Aunty Genoa is still going at it. You can still catch Aunty Genoa Keawe, one of Hawai'i's Living Legends and treasures still performing regular at the Hawaiian Regent Lobby in Waikiki.

Sources:

Burlingame, Burl. Da Kine Sound. Kailua, Hi: Press Pacifica, 1978.