Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 34, Number 3, 1 March 2017 — Peʻa considers his Grammy a win for Hawaiian language, music and people [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]
Peʻa considers his Grammy a win for Hawaiian language, music and people
By Francine Kananionapua Murray Sitting among the stars at the Grammy's pre-show, Kalani Pe'a met the famous comedian and actress Margret Cho. "She said to me, 'If you're going to win you have to be in the front two or three rows
because you only have 45 seconds up there. This is live streamed to millions of viewers,'" he recalls. Pe'a was sitting in the back when they announced the nominees in the Best Regional Roots category. Then they announced the winner, "E Walea" by singer/songwriter Kalani Pe'a. "My first thought was '45 seconds.' Am I going to roll down the isle or hula down the isle? I shouted with joy and happiness, not only for the fact that Hawai'i won the Grammy, but we were being placed
right back on the map where we are supposed to be. Where Hawaiian music through Hawaiian language should be recognized on a global perspective." Pe'a didn't prepare a speech. As he received the award, he spoke from the heart - like he says his ancestors would do with an oli from the Kumulipo - and from chant he went into music, demonstrating the love of the Hawaiian people in haku mele Hawai'i. The actual Grammy is stunning and receiving the award was a huge honor, says Pe'a, who adds, "The number one thing was being acknowledged for the work I have done for our people, and that we ean give hope and faith to our next generation to eome and appreciate Hawaiian music and composition.
"The music shares our 'ike (knowledge)," Pe'a describes, explaining how meaningful this
award is to him. "I've given my alhum to engineers and producers of Beyonce, Drake and others so that they have an understanding of what Hawaiian music is all about, and what true 'ōlelo Hawai'i is about."
Recognizing the significance of "being the first Hawaiian immersion graduate, Hawaiian homesteader and Hawaiian practitioner to win in this category for the first time in history as a singer/songwriter," Pe'a says the achievement has opened new opportunities to network and market Hawaiian music composition and give back to the lāhui. The award has also led to some changes Pe'a hadn't anticipated. With fame eame fans - he's received thousands of loving messages from people around the world. Many heartfelt emails eame from keiki asking if it was possible for them to be successful singers or songwriters like him. "I not only lit that fire, but I motivated musicians, students and keiki around the world, writing back to eaeh one. You ean write music. It is possible. . . You grab that peneil, pen or laptop and you write that mele. You speak from your pu'uwai (heart), and onee you are done you ean save up your money and record your music so that the world ean hear it. You ean win and you ean represent the eommunities you serve. You ean represent Hawai'i and our lāhui." These keiki want words of affirmation and "I am not only an example of that, I am encouraging SEE HAWAIAN GRAMMY ON PAGE 25
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Special event Upcoming performances > Sat., March 25, 12 p.m. Maui Nui Botanical Gardens, Ho'omau, Maui > Sat., April 8 Punana Leo o Moloka'i Annual Kalani Pe'a Day Feb. 18 County of Hawai'i In recognition of the importance of Kalani Pe'a's victory to further awareness and appreciation of Hawaiian language and culture far beyond our Hawaiian lslands. Designated by Mayor Harry Kim. Attire: Purple. For more information visit www.KalaniPeaMusic.com
Kalani Pe'a is the first Hawaiian to win a Grammy since Hawaiian albums were placed in the Best Regional Roots category. - Photos: Courtesy
HAWAIIAN GRAMMY
Continued from page 23 you," says Pe'a. "Lastly, I say in the email when you receive your acknowledgement or your award for your hard work, make sure you don't write it on paper. Speak from your pu'uwai, from your na'au, from your piko, and sing out those lyrics so the world ean hear." Although he has been singing for 29 years, Pe'a says, "This is the start of my music career. I finally recorded my debut alhum and won a Grammy at age 33." In the Hawaiian perspective, there is a start to everything and a perpetual mohon. "He ho'omaka, he ho'oluhi aka he ho'omaka. We always gotta start all over again and continue to build ways that we ean strive together." One life tip, "Surround yourself with positive people, that are like-minded. People who will bring something to the table and share the 'ike and na'auao." ■