Keoki
has taught at various educational institutions, including the Queen Liliuokalani
Children Center, Maui Community College — PACE Program, King Kekaulike
High School, Haleakala Waldorf School, Kapalua Art School, Na’alehu
Theater, Kona’s Historic Donkey Mill Art Center, and The University
of Hawaii at Hilo — College of Continuing Education and Community
Service and Senior College classes; and currently continues to teach
private lessons from his home in Hilo on the Big Island. Keoki’s
vision of preserving the musical tradition through teaching can reach
a wider audience now, with his just-released instructional DVD, INTRODUCTION
TO HAWAIIAN SLACK KEY GUITAR.
In 1995, while pursuing his vision, Keoki started The Annual Youth
Ukulele Players Contest which showcases the musical talents
of Maui County children and gives them an opportunity to perform on stage
as a member of his ukulele band, Kaulana Na Pua O Maui. In
the same year, Keoki was featured on his first recording, HO`OILINA
-THE LEGACY, with his father. Now a musical tradition,
the ukulele contest marks its eleventh year in the Summer of 2005.
Beginning in 2000, Keoki teamed up with Herb Ohta, Jr. on several
projects, carrying on the next generation in Hawaiian music. Together,
they released HAWAIIAN FROM THE HEART, featuring
Keoki's unique vocal stylings and slack key guitar artistry. This pairing
was so successful that in 2002 they released a second album, TREASURES
OF ALOHA, followed by a Generations Concert Tour.
In support and recognition of promising artists who further the development
of Asian Pacific American performing arts, Keoki received the 2003
Duane Ebata Award.
Keoki’s just-released solo CD LIKO contains
a wonderful mix of contemporary Hawaiian, ki ho'alu, 'ukulele and
a hint of blues. In 2005 LIKO was named
one of the top 3 CDs in the Slack Key Category of the Hawaii Music
Awards. In the same category, Keoki
was one of the artists featured in Masters of Hawaiian
Slack Key Guitar, Volume 1, which took first place.
And the Grammy goes to… ki ho’alu! Keoki
is one of ten artists that make up SLACK KEY GUITAR VOLUME
2 which took the first-ever Hawaiian Album Grammy in
a stunning musical milestone. Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle praised
these winning artists, commenting that the award brings “long-overdue
worldwide recognition to our islands’ unique musical stylings.” Furthermore,
Keoki is also one of the artists of the 2005 Na Hoku Hanohano
Award for Compilation album of the year: Various
Artists — ";Hula! Big Island Style ";(Palm),
Charles Michael Brotman, producer.
When not on the road or teaching, you can find Keoki farming his land,
hunting with his dogs or tending his mountain pua’a. Equally
comfortable cooking for a crowd or performing for them, Keoki draws his
inspiration from his roots. Whether meeting him on stage or off, this
truly Hawaiian from the Heart makes you feel like family and
draws you away from wherever you’ve come. Like his dad, Keoki’s
performance is as much about his relaxed, engaging “talk story” as
it is about his wide Hawaiian repertoire. Dad George Jr. said that
his son “has a passion for Hawaiian music in all its form.”
Keoki's passion for Hawaiian music and culture continues through his
performances and teachings.
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