LIHUE — Kuana Torres-Kahele’s mission is to preserve Hawaiian culture. “I want to make sure it stays pristine,” he said. “Hawaii is popular beyond the shores, but people only know what they see on TV and YouTube.” Kahele, who tours
LIHUE — Kuana Torres-Kahele’s mission is to preserve Hawaiian culture.
“I want to make sure it stays pristine,” he said. “Hawaii is popular beyond the shores, but people only know what they see on TV and YouTube.”
Kahele, who tours the world performing hula songs, also owns several international schools that highlight the true culture of Hawaii. He teaches voice, haku mele, mele hula, fresh lei making, ukulele and guitar to over 200 students in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka.
“I want to know our culture will live on, after the Hawaiians are gone,” he said.
Teaching and performing hula is one way Kahele is perpetuating Hawaiian culture.
“It’s the interpretation of the people’s heart,” he said.
Originally from Hilo, Kahele got his start in hula when he was 6 years old.
“My parents put me in a class, and I’ve been performing hula ever since,” he said.
But when he was 13, Kahele took a break from the dance floor to try his hand as a halau musician.
In 1995, Kahele and fellow Hilo native Kehau Tamure formed the group, “Na Palapalai,” which is considered to be one of the most popular Hawaiian music groups to date. Almost 20 years later, Kahele released his first solo album, “Kaunaloa,”which won “Album of Year” and “Song of the Year” at the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards that same year.
Kahele has performed on the Mainland, Europe and Asia. He spends only 2 percent of his year on his native Hilo, he said.
Of all the places he’s been, Kahele enjoyed Japan the most.
“The delicious food, the hospitality of the people, there’s nothing to not like about it,” he said.
Kahele will return to Hawaii for a Valentine’s Day concert. On Feb. 5, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Kahele will be performing a “Love is in the Air” concert at the Kauai Museum on Rice Street.
Tickets are $15, and can be purchased at the Kauai Museum. Seating is limited, and tickets will be sold until the day of the concert, said Lyah Kama-Drake, education and event coordinator.
Proceeds go to the museum, and CDs will be available at the gift shop, she added.
Kahele, whose mother lives on Kauai, is no stranger to the island. He has performed at the Kauai Museum four times and comes to Kauai twice a month to teach halau.
He has also released a Hula album dedicated to Kauai. The album is part of a six-part series, and each CD is dedicated on an individual island. The project started in 2014 with the release of Hawaii Keawe, inspired by Hawaii Island. The final CD, called Oahu, will be released in September.
“I went to the islands and enabled myself to be inspired by the culture,” he said. “There’s no traditional songs-everything on the albums are brand new.”
