Genoa Keawe, known as "Aunty Genoa", was born on October 31, 1919 in Oahu, Hawaii. She grew up singing in her Mormon Church choir, where her love of singing began. She started her professional career in 1939, singing for bandstand shows in Kailua and at the Officers Club before WWII. In 1946, Genoa recorded the first of over 140 singles and is known for her falsetto singing, bell yodeling and her ability to hold a note for over two minutes. She opened her own record label in 1966 and presented a repertoire for modern hula. She owned and operated her own hula studio in the Pauoa neighborhood of Honolulu for many years and her music is featured at many hula shows. Considered a "Living Treasure of Hawaii", she was inducted into the Hawaii Music Hall of Fame in 2000. She also received an award from the National Endowment for the Culture and Arts. Aunty Genoa passed away at the age of 89 in Honolulu.
Kasher, Robert Kamohalu. Burl Burlingame. Da Kine Conversations with the People who Create Hawaiian Music. Kailua, HI: Press Pacifica, 1953. (27-35).
Kahumoku, George, "Guest Artist…Genoa Keawe," Slack Key Show Masters of Music, http://www.slackkey.com/about_genoakeawe.php (accessed December 5, 2010).
Songs
- Alika, Genoa Keawe
- E Kuu Tutu, Genoa Keawe and her Hawaiians
- Stevedore Hula, Genoa Keawe and her Hawaiians
- Wailana, Genoa Keawe and her Hawaiians
- Lehua Puakea, Genoa Keawe and her Hawaiians
- Fireman Hula, Genoa Keawe and her Hawaiians
- Ka Iwa, Genoa Keawe and her Hawaiians
- Maile Swing, Genoa Keawe with John K. Almeida and his Hawaiians
- Aloha Oe (Farewell to Thee), Genoa Keawe
- Magic Hands, Genoa Keawe with her Hula Maids
- Kila Kila O Haleakala, Genoa Keawe with her Hula Maids
- Sea Breeze - "Pua Mana", Genoa Keawe and her Hula Maids
- Hulu Manu, Genoa Keawe and her Hawaiians
- My Sweet Gardenia lei, Genoa Keawe
- Hawaiian Wedding Song (Ke Kali Nei Au), Genoa Keawe and son Gary Ako
- Noho Paipai, Genoa Keawe
- Papalina Lahilahi, Genoa Keawe
- Ka Mano O Kalani Po, Genoa Keawe and her Hula Maids
- My Waikiki Girl, Genoa Keawe's Hula Maids
- Song Of The Eight Islands, Genoa Keawe's Hula Maids
- Lani, Genoa Keawe's Hula Maids
- Hanauma, Genoa Keawe and her Hula Maids
- My Tropical Baby, Genoa Keawe and her Polynesians
- Kaloaloa, Genoa Keawe and her Hula Maids