Maui singer-songwriter-chanter-kumu hula-cultural specialist Kealii Reichel was largely unknown in 1994, when his first album, Kawaipunahele, was released. But it quickly dominated Hawaiian radio, the Billboard Magazine World Music Chart and that year’s Na Hoku music awards. Reichel has followed up with more albums over the years and many Na Hoku awards, a Grammy nomination and a national recording contract. He has performed in Japan and across the U.S. mainland, including a Carnegie Hall concert with his hula halau (group). Also, Reichel’s halau has brought home top awards from the annual prestigious Merrie Monarch Festival hula competition.

Video above: "E O Mai" by Kealii Reichel




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