Kaumakaiwa Kanaka’ole

“Kaumakaiwa Kanaka’ole…vaulted through various registers and timbres, from bass to witchy contralto rasp to sweet soprano…a traditionalist tour de force” (New York Times). A modern transgender Hawaiian (mahu wahine), she is a vibrant keeper of culture — an authentic innovator, she engages indigenous thought to address today’s issues through music, chant, and plenty of humor: she provides plenty of wry commentary and stories to give context to her songs. Her family roots are in the hula of the esteemed Kanaka‘ole family whose practices have been passed down through eight matrilineal generations. Here performing with guitarist Shawn Pimental, who has three award-winning CDs. “An inspired primer on preserving and perpetuating themes Hawaiian, with treats galore” (Honolulu Advertiser).

A remarkable and riveting performer, Kaumakaiwa Kanaka‘ole has been on the stage since she could walk. She now has five Nā Hōkū Hanohano (Hawaiian Grammy) awards to her name, creating songs whose aesthetic inspiration derives from Hawaiian chant traditions. A modern transgender Hawaiian (mahu wahine), she is a vibrant keeper of culture — an authentic innovator who engages indigenous thought to address today’s issues through music, chant, and plenty of humor: she provides wry commentary and stories to give context to her songs.