Spotlight
Grammy Award-winning and Hawaiian artist Kalani Pe’a shared his music with Colorado
Two-Time Grammy Award Winner for his debut album E Walea and sophomore album No ‘Ane’i.
Photo Credit: Antonio Agosto
By Mary Jeneverre Schultz
Colorado holds a special place for 36-year-old Hawaiian artist Kalani Pe’a. Born in Hilo, Hawaii, Pe’a moved to Grand Junction to attend Colorado Mesa University. With scholarships and grants, he studied mass communications and was involved in musicals and acting productions. “I love school,” Pe’a said, adding he graduated from high school as a salutatorian with a 3.8 GPA. His cousin had lived in Grand Junction, which made him feel comfortable attending school away from Hawaii. Back in 2001, when he started as a college freshman, he knew of 60 Hawaiians living in the western slope. Currently, he informed that there are about 200 Hawaiians living in the Grand Junction area. “I had the whole experience of living through the four seasons,” Pe’a shared. His first encounter with snow was in Colorado wearing shorts, sandals and a t-shirt. At Colorado Mesa University, he also enjoyed his student/professor interactions with his vocal teacher, Dr. Jack Delmore, emeritus professor of music. Delmore,
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December 2019 | Spotlight
who retired in 2018, encouraged Pe’a’s talent in music. He mentored Pe’a in vocals and music performance. Like most stage performers, he admits to being nervous and anxious. Some of his strategies to face stage fright include consuming four cough drops, wearing a hat and drinking black coffee. Over the years, he observed other performers and band members on how they deal with nervousness. He noticed wearing glasses might be another tactic, too. Categorized as Hawaiian Soul, Pe’a describes his music as Hawaiian with a lot of rhythm and blues influences, adding that the music is similar to Steve Wonder. “Most of my arrangements are hulalike songs with different reps,” said Pe’a, admitting he pushes the envelope in this category. Only releasing two albums, he is spoiled with winning a Grammy award for each album. Pe’a’s debut album, “E Walea,” released in 2016. The album won the Grammy award for “Best Regional Roots Music Album” and made history by being the first Hawaiian recording artist to ever win in the category.
He shared how much he loves his life, family and the direction of his career in music. His “ohana” defined as family includes his fiance Allan, mom, dad, and grandparents. “They are the pillars in my life,” Pe’a said. Pe’a grew up on the big island of Hawaii. He admitted he couldn’t snowboard in the sacred mountains of the big island. While he does quite a bit of traveling for performances, one of his gripes is packing. He wishes he could hire someone to pack his clothes for him, but admits he needs to pack his own “underwears.” When he’s not performing or writing songs, he loves to shop and is a foodie. Retail therapy includes buying for his friends. To relax, his hobbies include playing tennis and drawing. “I love to doodle people and places,” he said. For the first time in Denver, Pe’a performed at Daniels Hall - Swallow Hill Music last month on November 23. Learn more about Kalani Pe’a and his music at kalanipeamusic.com.