Genoa Keawe

‘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 is an icon in Hawaiian music and has been a mainstay on the Hawaiian music scene for more than 60 years. With her tremendous voice she has captivated audiences, kamaʻāina (locals) and malihini (visitors) alike. With a tremendous repertoire of traditional Hawaiian standards and Hapa Haole tunes, she is 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.

Early life

Genoa Leilani Adolpho's early years were full of moving about. She was born in 1918 in Kakaako in a stable. In her childhood her family moved about several occasions. Before she was ten years old she'd already lived on Kauai for several years and had moved back to Kakaako. By the time she was about 10 years old, her family had moved to Laie.

This move to Laie 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 Laie she received her early musical training as a member of a local LDS Church choir. It was in choir...
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