“whatchu waiting fo’ ?”
The words still ring in Michael’s ears to this day. In his own way, Michael’s uncle, Moe Keale, was saying, “the world needs to hear the gift of your voice and experience your aloha”. Until recently, Michael never looked upon those qualities as gifts; singing with his heart was just something that he had always done.
Growing up in Kailua, O‘ahu during the...
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... late 1950′s, Michael and his siblings were serenaded by his mother, Maria, every spare minute she could sing to them. Songs like “Fools Rush In”, “Baby Kalai”, “God Bless My Daddy”, and “Pua Carnation” tied the family together. Michael states that his mother was the most influential person in his life, musically and otherwise.
On his father’s side of the family, a budding musician had already touched the world with his spirit of aloha and voice of gold. The young man’s name was Moe Keale. An accomplished actor and a Nā Hōkū Hanohano award-winning musician, Moe Keale became a household word. Michael, his brother Bill, his cousins, Nalani Keale, a world known Kumu Hula, and Walt Mix-Kealekupuna all share Uncle Moe’s love for Hawaiian culture and music.
Two of Michael’s cousins, Skippy and Israel (‘Iz’) Kamakawiwo‘ole joined to form the Mākaha Sons of Ni‘ihau, one of the most beloved groups of their generation. ‘Iz’ eventually struck out on his own and became a phenomenon with songs like ‘Over the
Rainbow’ and ‘White Sandy Beach’. Michael keeps his cousin Iz’s memory alive by performing his songs everywhere he goes.
Michael’s debut album Remember was released in July, 2010. Featuring Michael’s crooning, silken bass vocals, Remember received positive response from fans for its mix of music from Hawai‘i’s past and present. Songs like “‘Ahulili”, and “Kamalani O Keaukaha”, as well as traditional English standards such as “Waikīkī” and “The Way You Look Tonight”, earned Michael two prestigious Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award Nominations in 2011 for “Island Album of the Year”, and “Most Promising Artist”.
Michael has entertained at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel and Marriott’s Moana Terrace, where Aunty Genoa Keawe herself entertained people from all over the world. He has shared the stage with his cousins Iz and Skippy, Uncle Moe Keale, Uncle Willie ‘K’, Melveen Leed, Martin Pahinui, Mike Kaawa, Ocean Kaowili, George Kuo, Mel Amina, Analu Aina, Bobby Ingano, Aaron Mahi and many more.
Michael continues to share his aloha, capturing the hearts and souls of visitors and kama‘āina alike at the Kaua‘i Coast Resort’s Hukilau Lānai, and Hanalei’s Tahiti Nui Lounge.
More information on Michael, including his downloadable press kit, discography, and a listing of his upcoming shows can be found at www.mikeale.com. Copies of Remember are available for purchase at Amazon.com, iTunes, and through Michael’s online store.
