NPIEN SALUTES AUNTY GENOA KEAWE

Aunty Genoa Keawe died Monday at age 89. She was best known for being an icon of traditional Hawaiian music, and toured throughout the United States, Asia, Canada, Switzerland, Brazil, and Russia. She recorded more than 20 albums and 150 singles.

Margo Lenson, author and publisher, Tui Communications remembers Aunty Genoa at Kapiolani Park when she lived in Kaimuki, Oahu. "Looking at Aunty Genoa's photos now, I see my mom's face. Aunty had 12 children; my mom had 11 ... maybe they had the same illuminating life-force?!"

Margo says Aunty Genoa's voice, "...that beautiful falsetto, still trembles in my heart's memory." Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann described Aunty Genoa's voice as "a symbol of Hawaii's culture." NPIEN sends aloha and condolences to Aunty's family. Her legacy of music will live on.