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Weldon Kekauoha
An introduction to Hawaii performer Weldon Kekauoha.
Copyright ©
Kathleen Walling Fry
About Weldon Kekauoha
Born August 21, 1967
Parents were Ailene and Edward Kekauoha
Has a brother Aaron Kekauoha and a sister Kaleleonalani Kekauoha
Graduated from Kaani High School in 1985
Started playing the ukulele at age 4
Joined the Honolulu Boys Choir in 1973. Toured with
the choir in Hawaii, throughout the U.S., and internationally
in Mexico and Canada.
He sang "Holo Waapa" in the Brown Bags to Stardom
contest and made it the finals at the Waikiki Shell
Won the Brown Bags to Stardom contest in 1985
with his mates from the band Na Kane Pono,
Danny Kennedy, John Baricuatro Jr., and
Joel "Kawehi" Kekauoha.
Performed in Waikiki as a guitarist for Kawika Trask
Has worked for Hawaiian Airlines at also for the Pearl
Harbor Naval Shipyard
Moved to Seattle Washington in 1988 where he worked
for Hawaiian Airlines, attended the University of Washington,
and played with a group known as "Ke Awawa o Na Pilikua Elima".
He moved back to Hawaii in 1993 and joined his old group
"Na Kane Pono" which had evolved into the modern reggae group
The Manao Company.
After The Manao Company disbanded, Weldon perfornmed
with Kawika Trask at the Ilikai Hotel several nights a
week for about 14 years.
Weldon married his wife on April 22, 1995 and they have three
daughters, Melia, Moea, and Hailiopua.
In 1999 Weldon was signed by the independent record
label "A Guava Ding Thing" which was owned by
KITV4 News sports anchor, Robert Kekaula
Weldon's "Hawaiian Man" album won him the
2000 Na Hoku Hanohano award for most promising new artist.
Weldon began playing with the ressurected Manao Company
band in 2001 and their album "“Spread A Little Aloha"
won the group three Na
2002 Hoku Hanohano Awards,
Album of the Year, Single of the Year, and Group of the Year.
Weldon formed a group called Tapa Groove. He released
an album entitled "Kanaka Maoli" as
"Weldon Kekauoha and Tapa Groove". The album was nominated
for four Na Hoku Hanohano Awards.
He again began focusing on his solo career
while also performing with Alika-Boy Kalauli IV,
John Baricuatro Jr., and by Bryan Tolentino.
In 2007 Weldon released his third recording,
a solo album entitled "Ka Lehua Ula".
Honors and Awards
2000 Na Hoku Hanohano Award
2002 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards
2002 Hawaii Music Awards
2004 - Nominated for 4 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards
2008 - Song of the Year Na Hoku Hanohano Award
Articles About Weldon Kekauoha
First Friday Hawaii Weldon Kekauoha Profile
Honolulu Weekly Review of "Ka Lehua Ula"
Honolulu Advertiser Review of "Ka Lehua Ula"
Honolulu Star Bulletin Review of "Ka Lehua Ula"
MidWeek Review of "Ka Lehua Ula"
Honolulu Star Bulletin Review of "Kanaka Maoli"
Web Sites
Weldon Kekauoha - Official Web Site
See also:
Pictures of Hawaiian Music Artists
Hawaiian Music Artists A to Z
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