Iconic singer of Hawaiian music

Genoa Leilani Keawe, 89, a falsetto-voiced singer and icon of traditional Hawaiian music, died in her sleep Monday morning at her home in Honolulu. She had been in poor health for some time.

Known widely as Aunty Genoa, she recorded more than 20 albums and was famous for her ability to hold high notes on her signature song, “Alika.”

She sang on the national radio broadcast “Hawaii Calls” and performed at several clubs and hotels on Oahu. For the last decade, she had been appearing weekly at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, singing and playing the ukulele.

Born Oct. 31, 1918, Keawe started singing as a girl with her Mormon church choir in Laie on Oahu.

She began her professional career in 1939, singing for bandstand shows and at military clubs.

She recorded on several island labels, starting in 1946 with her group Genoa Keawe and Her Hawaiians on 49th State Records.

She later produced, promoted and distributed her own recordings. She was president of Genoa Keawe Records, which also featured other Hawaiian musicians.

In February 2004, Keawe joined four other well-known Hawaii residents in being named Living Treasures of Hawaii by the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii.

In 2000, she was inducted into the Hawaii Music Hall of Fame and honored by the National Endowment for the Arts.