KEALE

Walter Keale was among the first musicians to perform live in our broadcast studios, as a member of Kaukahi with David Kahiapo. That group won five Hoku Hanohano awards, the local  version of the Grammies. The arrived here with magic, in the their spirit, voices and sound.

Walt (above and right) has the strongest of contemporary Hawaiian music bloodlines: He is the nephew of legendary Moe Keale (below) originally from Niihau and also the uncle of the Kamakawiwo'ole brothers, Skippy and Israel. Born on Oahu, but were the core of the original Mahaha Sons of Niihau. Uncle Moe left us in in 2002, much too early at the age of 62. The Keale have been proving the adage. "Only the good die young." Uncle Moe was sweet and strong, in so many ways. 

As a singer-songwriter both solo and in several groups. He even spent time as a deejay in the 80s at Honolulu's first all-Hawaiian music station, KCCN. Truck was also know a Truck Kealoha on HAWAII Five-0, where he started as an electrician. Before he passed away, Moe opened a Polynesian massage parlor. I last saw him there. Or should I say felt him, as I had come for hands on lomi lomi therapy. One, when I was doing my one year at KCCN I met show when I finished a show. To his howzit I replied that my back was "killing me." So he told me lie down, right there on the lobby floor, which I did. And when the ow was pau, all that was left were those good Keale feelings, now carried and spread by Walt -- and Iz looks on from above.