Aunty Genoa Keawe
| 'Aunty' Genoa Keawe | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Genoa Leilani Adolpho |
| Born | October 31, 1918 |
| Origin | Honolulu, Hawaii, USA |
| Died | February 25, 2008 (aged 89) |
| Genres |
Hawaiian Music Easy Listening Pop |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Ukulele, Vocals |
‘Aunty’ Genoa Leilani Adolpho Keawe-Aiko (October 31, 1918 – February 25, 2008) was a Hawaiian musician. Aunty Genoa was born on the island of Oʻahu in the Kakaʻako district of Honolulu and grew up in Lā'ie. She was an icon in Hawaiian music and a mainstay on the Hawaiian music scene for more than 60 years. With her tremendous voice she captivated audiences, kamaʻāina (locals) and malihini (visitors) alike. With a tremendous repertoire of traditional Hawaiian standards and Hapa Haole tunes, she was without equal. Many local artists include Aunty Genoa Keawe among their many influences.
In 2005, she received an honorary doctorate (Doctor of Humane Letters) from the University of Hawai‘i.
Genoa Leilani Adolpho's early years were full of moving about. She was born in 1918 in Kakaʻako in a stable. In her childhood her family moved about several occasions. Before she was ten years old she'd already lived on Kauaʻi for several years and had moved back to Kakaʻako. By the time she was about 10 years old, her family had moved to Laʻie.
This move to Laʻie would help facilitate the phenomenal music career that would highlight her life. Aunty Genoa always loved to sing ever since she was a little girl. In Laʻie she received her early musical training as a member of a local LDS Church choir. It was in choir that she built up her repertoire, knowledge and appreciation of music. She attended school until the 8th grade. She and her husband, the late Edward Puniwai Keawe-Aiko, whom she married in 1935, had twelve children.
Keawe was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
She began performing music professionally prior to World War II at officers' clubs and at bandstand shows in Kailua. Eventually Aunty Genoa landed a radio show on KULA singing with John Kameaaloha Almeida. 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.
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