Kamalei Kawaʻa is a singer, songwriter, hula dancer, chanter, scholar, teacher, and musician from Maui, Hawaiʻi. Kawaʻa is a multi Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winner and Grammy Award nominated musician. He is best known for his award-winning Hawaiian music band, Nā Wai ʻEhā.
Kamalei Kawaʻa | |
|---|---|
 Kawaʻa performing on NBC's The Voice | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Kamalei Kawaʻa |
| Origin | Paukūkalo, Maui, Hawaiʻi US |
| Genres | Hawaiian music |
| Occupations | Musician, teacher |
| Instruments | Guitar, ukulele, vocals |
| Years active | 2012–present |
| Label | Kamalei Kawa'a Music LLC |
| Formerly of | Nā Wai ʻEhā |
Spouse | Cierra Kawaʻa |
| Award | 4x – Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards Richard Hoʻopiʻi Falsetto Contest |
| Website | https://www.kamaleikawaamusic.com |
Early life
editKawaʻa grew up in a small town called Paukūkalo on the island of Maui. He is a graduate of Ke Kula Kaiapuni Ma Maui, a K-12 Hawaiian language immersion program in Hawaiʻi and a graduate of the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College.[1]
He is an alakaʻi (leader) in hula at Hālau Kekuaokalāʻauʻalaʻiliahi under the direction of Kumu Hula ʻIliahi and Haunani Paredes. Kawaʻa teaches hula at Seabury Hall, a private school on the island of Maui.[2]
In 2015, Kawaʻa won the 14th Annual Richard Hoʻopiʻi Leo Kiʻekiʻe Falsetto Contest.[3] The contest was held at the Grand Wailea Resort and hosted by KPOA's Alakaʻi Paleka. The judges included Kumu Hula Kamaka Kūkona, Kumu Hula Kuʻulei Alcomindras-Palakiko, Hawaiian musician Ata Damasco, and multi-Grammy Award musician Kalani Peʻa. Among six other contestants, the judges awarded Kawaʻa the Hawaiian Language award through his outstanding performance of Pua ʻĀhihi.
Kawaʻa was a contestant on The Voice in 2024, where he sang "Redemption Song" by Bob Marley as part of his blind audition. His opening note quickly garnered attention from Chance the Rapper and seconds later country music icon Reba McEntire, earning him a two-chair turn for his blind audition.[4] Kawaʻa was eliminated from The Voice on April 22, 2024.[5]
Music career
editNā Wai ʻEha
edit
Kawaʻa made his Hawaiian music debut with Maui Hawaiian music quartet, Nā Wai ʻEhā, in 2012. Band members included Gregory Kahikina Maxwell Juan, Edward Kalanikini Maxwell Juan, and Kawaʻa's brother, Kamaʻehu Kawaʻa. The first album, Nā Wai ʻEhā, was a self-entitled, 11-track, award-winning masterpiece. As a result, the group won the 'Most Promising Artist of the Year Award' at the 42nd Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards in 2019.[6]
In 2019, Nā Wai ʻEhā released their second album entitled, 'Lovely Sunrise.' In 2020, the album was awarded three Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards at the 43rd Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards.[7]
In 2020, 'Lovely Sunrise' was nominated for Best Regional Roots Music Album at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards.[8]
Solo Artist
editFollowing the release of their second group album, Kawaʻa went solo, releasing several singles including, Sweet Dreams Kuʻu Momi and With This Kiss. Kawaʻa was also featured on multiple Hawaiian compilation records.
In December 2025, Kawaʻa released his first solo album entitled, Mānaiakalani.[9] A CD release party was subsequently held at the Four Seasons Resort Maui in Wailea, Hawaii on January 17, 2026.[10] The event featured original compositions and mele from the album and live hula from select members of Hālau Kekuaokalāʻauʻalaʻiliahi, his wife, Cierra Kawaʻa, and his mother, Kumu Hula Luana Kawaʻa.
Awards
editDiscography
editReferences
edit- ↑ "UH Maui College grad gets two-chair turn on The Voice". University of Hawaiʻi at Maui College. March 5, 2024.
- ↑ "Hula Program". Seabury Hall.
- ↑ "Richard Ho'opi'i Falsetto Contest Winners Selected". September 8, 2015.
- ↑ Osher, Wendy (March 5, 2024). "Maui's Kamalei Kawaʻa shines light on Hawaiian heritage, joins Team Chance on NBC's 'The Voice'".
- ↑ "UH Maui College grad makes coach cry, gets two steals on The Voice". University of Hawaiʻi at Maui College. April 19, 2024.
- ↑ Ancheta, Dillon (May 26, 2019). "Recap: The 42nd Annual Na Hoku Hanohano Awards".
- ↑ "Congratulations to the 43rd Annual Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards Winners". October 12, 2020.
- ↑ Ancheta, Dillon (Nov 24, 2020). "Maui group Na Wai 'Eha earns a Grammy nomination".
- ↑ "Album Out Now – Mānaiakalani". Kamalei Kawaʻa Music LLC.
- ↑ "Kamalei Kawaʻa releases debut solo Hawaiian music album, 'Mānaiakalani'". December 29, 2025.
- ↑ "Nā Wai ʻEhā". Apple Music.
- ↑ "Lovely Sunrise". Apple Music.
- ↑ "Kūhaʻo Maunakea – Kulu Wai Maka". Kanaeokana.
- ↑ "Our Work – Mele Pūnana Leo". Kāhuli Leo Leʻa.