#91 | Kuana Torres Kahele | Mea Hawai'i, lei making, and Hawaiian folklore

Kuana Torres Kahele is a Native-Hawaiian award-winning musician from the Big Island of Hawai’i. He is a vocalist, songwriter, record producer, hula dancer and educator most known for his original acoustic compositions in the Hawaiian language. In 1995 he co-founded Nā Palapalai, a legendary Hawaiian music group that has released numerous albums which have charted in the top five of the Billboard top world album charts. Nā Palapalai also won many Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards including Group of the year. In 2011 he released his first solo album which reached No. 2 on the top world albums chart and won him 5 Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards, including Male vocalist of the year. In 2014 he voiced the lead character in the animated short film by Pixar called Lava. Kuana also regularly teaches cultural workshops around the world and runs the Kuana School of Hawaiian Music and Culture, teaching 200+ students in Tokyo, Fukuoka, and Osaka. In this episode we talk about growing up in Hilo with his grandmother, starting his music career, lei making, learning from legendary Hula teacher Johnny Lum Ho, Hawaiian folklore, and so much more. Enjoy!

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