Kamalei Kawaa

Paukūkalo native Kamalei Kawaʻa, born and raised on Maui, Hawaiʻi, is a Native Hawaiian recording artist, singer-songwriter, and musician whose artistry is deeply rooted in Hawaiian culture while embracing contemporary music and a wide range of genres. A GRAMMY® nominee, six-time Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winner, and Top 20 finalist on Season 25 of NBC’s The Voice, Kamalei is known for his powerful voice, heartfelt storytelling, and versatility as a performer. 

Raised in a Hawaiian family deeply rooted in hula and mele Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian music), Kamalei grew up surrounded by the sounds, stories, and traditions of his kūpuna (ancestors). Early exposure to Hawaiian music legends, contemporary Hawaiian artists, and global icons shaped his vocal style and deepened his understanding of melody, harmony, and storytelling. From a young age, he learned that mele (song) is not only a form of expression but a kuleana (responsibility) — to uplift, to teach, and to preserve. 

As a proud ʻōlapa of the award-winning Hālau Kekuaokalāʻauʻalaʻiliahi, under the direction of Kumu Hula ʻIliahi and Haunani Paredes, Kamalei’s experience in hula further grounded him in Hawaiian culture, teaching him to convey emotion, narrative, and connection through movement as well as song. His music reflects the values of aloha ke akua (love for God), aloha ka ʻohana (love for family), aloha ʻāina (love for the land), and aloha kekahi i kekahi (love and respect for one another). 

Through his songs, he demonstrates how music heals, uplifts, and connects us, carrying forward the spirit of aloha. Blending traditional Hawaiian melodies with contemporary expression, Kamalei creates a sound that captivates his audience and moves listeners. His heartfelt compositions have resonated worldwide, including with artists like Chance the Rapper, John Legend, Reba McEntire, and Dan + Shay, who were deeply moved by his performances on The Voice.

A proud husband and father, Kamalei continues to share the beauty and spirit of Hawaiʻi with global audiences. Through his music, he shares a piece of his heart and tells his life story through his own lens—sharing it with the world as an ambassador for Hawaiian music, carrying forward the legacy of his ancestors while shaping the next chapter of Hawaiian music through mele, hula, and aloha.