Carnegie Hall

The traditional songs of Hawai‘i include a variety of mele (poetic recitation) and music meant for the highly ritualized dance called hula. In early Hawai‘i, mele were the most important means for indigenous Hawaiians to remember the stories of gods or the heroic deeds of their leaders, and they were passed down orally from generation to generation. The early songs were used to express praise; communicate about daily life; and accompany games, festivals, and other community events. Today, Native Hawaiians carry on the traditions, stories, and language of their ancestors through music. For generations, mele Hawai‘i have brought people together in times of joy and struggle—to chant, to sing, to dance, and to celebrate aloha ‘āina or “love of the land.”

Kalani was born and raised in Hilo, Hawai‘i and now lives on the island of Maui. He is a proud Native Hawaiian and a Hawaiian-immersion graduate. He spent 10 years of his life teaching Hawaiian language, music, and culture to students of all ages. Now, a three-time Grammy Award winner and full-time touring musician, Kalani performs Hawaiian contemporary and soul music for audiences around the world. He sells out shows across Hawai‘i, the East and West coasts of the US, and Japan. He shares his passion for Hawaiian culture through his music.