From Kuana:

So much of what I know and what is good in me I attribute to my mentor and grandmother, "Ma". Lulu Kelohilani Kahele, as my hänai mother, was the first to teach me of Kaunaloa. The drive to carry on, to persevere.

This album contains a collection of original songs I have written that represent my life's journey for the past 15 years. It speaks to the individuals that I have been fortunate to learn from and to love. It honors my lineage and the places from where my 'ohana has come: the great valleys of Waipi'o and Waimanu, the last Hawaiian fishing village of Miloli'i.

For me, this album is my voice in the collective of Hawaiian culture we continue to advance today. My love for Hawaiian music and Hawaiian language drives me to persevere. The very spark that ignited that passion comes from my Mother, Lulu. This album fullfills a promise I made to her long ago. "E ola mau i nā mele o Hawai'i nei a me nā mele mai nā kūpuna mai." "Long life to the songs of beloved Hawai'i and the songs from our ancestors."

Me Ka Ha'aha'a, Kuana Torres Kahele
February 28, 2011

BIOGRAPHY

Kuana Torres Kahele was born on the slopes of Mauna Kea in Hilo, Hawai'i.  He began composing, arranging and playing traditional Hawaiian music at an early age.

Coming from an impressive lineage of musicians including Bill Ali'iloa Lincoln, Victor Kala, the Lim Family and George Holokai; Kuana seemed destined for a life of traditional Hawaiian music.  He was inducted at 15 by renowned Kumu Johnny Lum Ho as one of his permanent musicians for Hälau Ka Ua Kani Lehua.  Eighteen years later, Kuana still returns when needed to play for the Hilo halau.

In 1995 Kuana, with Këhau Tamure, formed the multi-award winning Nä Palapalai.  The duo gained critical acclaim for reviving Hawaiian classics, as well as for their original, new compositions.  From the meteoric rise of their debut CD, Makani 'Olu'olu, the group has maintained a prominent presence in both the local and international hula and Hawaiian music scene.  Although still young, their contribution to hula is significant.  To this day, Kuana's original, "Ke Anu O Waimea" is the most popular hula song in Japan, home to over 10,000 hula halau groups.

Still in his early thirties, Kuana  has over 15 years of professional experience in the industry.  Fans know him for his incredible vocal range, while fellow musicians seek him out for his arranging skills and songwriting abilities.  In 2009, he co-founded Hulu Kupuna Productions, an independent record label devoted to producing original, high quality Hawaiian music.

June 28, 2011 brings the birth of Kaunaloa, the greatly anticipated solo CD release from Kuana Torres Kahele.  For Kuana, a project bearing songs that have taken his lifetime to create.  Kaunaloa is a collection of 13 songs that maps the journey that has brought him to where he is today.  Ten rich original compositions that tell of lost loves, world travels and life in small town Hilo.  His debut will no doubt excite the hula world, as well as ignite new passion for Hawaiian music from everyday fans.