On the Playlist: Genoa Keawe

March 1, 2022 • Geronimo "Geri" Valdriz • Steel Guitar History

"HAWAIIAN STEEL" is a weekly radio program that spotlights the Hawaiian steel guitar masters from the past to the present. "ON THE PLAYLIST" features the musicians heard on the program's playlist. This month we feature vocalist Genoa Keawe!

"Aunty" Genoa Keawe is a native Hawaiian singer, ‘ukulele player and musician. She is an icon of Hawaiian music and a mainstay on the Hawaiian music scene for more than 60 years. She captivated local and visitor audiences alike. She had a large repertoire of traditional Hawaiian standards and Hapa Haole tunes, and was a great influence to many local artists.

Although she was not a steel guitarist, her performing band and her studio recordings always included only the best of Hawaiian steel guitars.

Born in 1918 in the area of O‘ahu known as Kaka‘ako, she began her music training at age 10 singing in the choir of the Mormon Church. Like many old time Hawaiian singers and musicians, she learned and played her music by ear.

Genoa Keawe began performing at military clubs, and eventually landed on a radio show singing with musician and composer John Kameaaloha Almeida. On the radio she was part of the "Honolulu Rapid Transit Musicians" as a soloist and backup singer.

Genoa's remarkable singing style is noted for the use of the vocal technique called "ha‘i," which emphasizes the transition between a singer's lower and upper falsetto ranges. This vocal leap was done with a break in the voice and is a unique Hawaiian style. She had an unrivalled falsetto technique, bell like yodeling, and was known for her trademark ability to hold high notes.

Genoa began her studio recording career in 1946 with the 49^th State Hawaii record label. She recorded over 140 singles backed by her group the "Hula Maidens" and later "Her Polynesians". The group members included Violet Pahu Liliko‘i, Pauline Kekahuna, Vickie I‘i Rodrigues, and Benny Rogers. Genoa also backed up other 49^th State singers on their recordings as well.

Later she went on to record with Hula Records, and in 1966 she founded her own record label called Genoa Keawe Records. Many of her songs became mainstays of the Hawaiian music repertoire!

At the heart of Genoa's music was the Hawaiian Steel Guitar. Most of her early recordings on 49^th State Records feature Benny Rogers on the steel guitar. His playing is a simple style of single note hula vamps, intros and endings. He played the Rogers family E6 tuning with a distinct Hawaiian sound.

Genoa later recorded and performed with other steel guitar greats including Herbert Hanawahine, Alan Akaka, Joe Custino, and Henry Kaalekahi.

Her long and illustrious career had taken her throughout the islands and around the world. She played at lu‘aus, lounges, bars, hotels, concert stages and on numerous radio and television shows.

Over her long career, she earned numerous accolades, including multiple Na Hoku Hanohano awards. In 1987 the King Kamehameha hula competition was dedicated to her, as was the 1988 Prince Lot Hula Festival. In 2000 Genoa Keawe was the recipient of the National Heritage Fellowship, awarded by the National Endowment for the Arts. This is the US Government's highest honor in folk and traditional arts.

On February 25, 2008, Genoa Keawe died at the age of 89.

Today fans seek out the recordings of Genoa Keawe and her music. She continues to inspire vocalists seeking to emulate her soulful Hawaiian chalang-a-lang style singing. And steel guitar fans seek out the best in steel guitar accompaniment. Her music is now available on CD and online to a new generation of fans who can appreciate this innovative and unique Hawaiian musician!

On the Playlist of Hawaiian Steel: Genoa Keawe

"Hawaiian Steel" with Geri Valdriz is broadcast live every Tuesday from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm (HST) on Mana‘o Radio, Wailuku, Maui, Hawai‘i, KMNO, 91.7FM on the radio dial.

You can catch it on the air, or streaming live at www.manaoradio.com. Listeners can also access our online archives to enjoy previously recorded programs at your convenience. Just search "Listen on Demand" for past shows.