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LEFT TO RIGHT: Lanihuli Lee, piano; "Dougie" Keaulana, vibraphone; Pahukoa Morse, guitar & vocals; Kimo Alama Keaulana, 'ukulele & lead vocals; Joseph K. Keaulana, Jr., upright bass & vocals; Kilakila Ozawa, Hawaiian steel guitar; Nanea
LEI HULU BIOGRAPHIES
Lanihuli Lee, piano
Lanihuli first began classical piano lessons when he was in the 6th grade, under the tutelage of Catholic nuns. His lessons continued through his high school years and among his teachers was the celebrated Frank Owens. Alongside the piano, Lanihuli learned and played the guitar in both the rhythm style and the slack-key style. Lanihuli grew up with Hawaiian music and his classical training in piano naturally led to Hawaiian music. He began playing piano with Kimo Alama Keaulana some 30 years ago and in the span of his career he has provided the piano backdrop for a number of Hawaiian music groups. Throughout the years he has worked with many musicians, including Deena Holloway, Noe Kimi Buchanan, Mark Tang, Helene Woodward, and Sam Kaina.
Douglas Keaulana, vibraphone
“Dougie” was exposed to music from his childhood, notably at home and in his church. He learned how to play several instruments but what intrigued him was the vibraphone. He learned how to play the vibes from a friend and eventually started to play with friends and family. This is his first recording and in true Dougie form, it is with friends and family.
Pahukoa Morse, guitar & vocals
“Aunty Pahukoa” was a veteran professional musician and singer. She first touched the guitar when she was 10 years old. She learned the slack-key guitar method as well as the rhythm guitar. It is her rhythm guitar that she fine tuned and was considered by most of her peers as the best rhythm guitar for Hawaiian music. She began her early singing in church and, with her twin sister, the late Pua Rogers, began singing and playing as a duo. As teenagers, they started singing popular music with Herb Low’s Orchestra. Then, they both elected exclusively to perform Hawaiian music. Pahukoa played with notables in Hawaiian music, starting with the remarkable Agnes Malabey Weisbarth. She went on to work with other stand-outs such as Alice Kekipi Wilhelm, Ida Kelii Chun, Genoa Keawe, Myra English, Herbert Hanawahine, John Lino, Violet Pahu Lilikoi and many, many others. She sang in theaters, on radio and made several recordings on the Tropical Records label under the direction of the”Dean of Hawaiian Music,” John Kameaaloha Almeida. These recordings are still considered to be the definitive versions of many songs, as they were recorded with George Naope, Pua Rogers, Benny Rogers, Jackie Flores, and Kai Davis.
Aunty Pahukoa passed away June 27, 2006. From her obituary: Pahukoa Lucille Morse, 80, of Honolulu, an entertainer and musician and retired Honolulu Police Department records clerk, died in Honolulu. She was born in Honolulu. She is survived by son Charvis, brother George Kala, sisters Maizelette Kupau and Georgette Kala, four grandsons and six great-grandchildren.
Kimo Alama Keaulana, 'ukulele & lead vocals
[Kimo's biography is on its own page; see menu at left and click on his name.]
Joseph K. Keaulana, Jr., upright bass & vocals
“Uncle Joe” first started singing in church when he was a child. He learned how to play rhythm guitar, the 'ukulele and a little piano from family and friends. Later, a friend from church, the slack-key master, Leonard Kwan, taught him how to play the upright bass. Joe played the bass with Leonard Kwan and then with the legendary Leilani Sharpe Mendez. He went on to play with other performers and bands, including Kekua Fernandes, Peter Ahia, John Lino, Genoa Keawe, Hokulani Meatoga, Violet Pahu Lilikoi, Agnes AhSee, Clyde Lono, Noe Kimi Buchanan, Mabel Kekino, Walter Mookini, Lem Aweau, Kaipo Asing, Kealoha Kalama, Ainsley Halemanu, and several others. His bass playing has provided the “heartbeat” of true Hawaiian hula music for many hula studios and groups and until his death, he was considered the best bassist for honest Hawaiian music.
Uncle Joe passed away March 19, 2005. His funeral at Kawaiahao Church was one of the biggest they had ever seen. From his obituary: Joseph Kuewa Keaulana Jr., 65, of Honolulu, an entertainer/musician, died in Kapiolani Medical Center at Pali Momi. He was born in Nanakuli. He is survived by companion Kimo A.; son Dale K.; daughters Germaine L. Bentley, Virginia M. "Nani" Kuloloia and Nanea A.M. Keaulana; mother Virginia Johnson; brother John D.; sisters Edith V. Gieson, Virginia Holt, Irma Nahalea, Joyce Gradle and Wilma L. Calio; and five grandchildren.
Kilakila Ozawa, Hawaiian steel guitar
Akira “Kilakila” Ozawa is a “musician’s musician.” He can virtually play any and every instrument in any style of music. And he has done so – in night clubs, supper clubs, hotels and lounges. However, his love for the Hawaiian steel guitar was honed by his teacher, the late Joe Custino. In Japan, Kilakila played the steel guitar for Genoa Keawe. Many, many years ago he made a life-changing decision to leave his home in Japan permanently and venture to Hawai'i, the home of the steel guitar. He arrived on Hawaiian soil with literally only the clothes on his back and his instrument. His devotion to the Hawaiian steel guitar led him to play with Hawaiian music musicians at places like the Shell Bar at the Hilton Hawaiian Village and many, many private engagements. Today, he plays with the Royal Hawaiian Band’s Hawaiian ensemble and with Lei Hulu.
Nanea Alice MeuLan Keaulana
Nanea, seated in the photo above, was passionate about her Hawaiian music. She was routinely welcome in the studio, because when the music started she would curl up and meditate; transported by her favorite music, she was the essence of appreciation. Nanea was on stage at every performance of Lei Hulu's, whether at a funeral, baby luau or the Waikiki Shell. She even joined Kimo onstage at the televised Na Hoku Hanohano Awards to accept their awards. Nanea passed away peacefully on August 7, 2008.
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