Kalani Pe‘a grew up in the Pana‘ewa Hawaiian homestead on the Big Island. He started singing at 4 years old to overcome a speech impediment, and in the middle of third grade switched from an English-language school to a Hawaiian-immersion program. He graduated from the Ke Kula ‘o Nawahiokalani‘opu‘u Iki Lab Public Charter School in 2001 and earned a bachelor’s degree in mass communication at Mesa State College in Colorado. He returned to Hawaii in 2008.
In 2016 Pe‘a’s manager and life partner, Allan B. Cool, told him that the time had come for him to stop singing in karaoke bars and become a recording artist. In 2017 Pe‘a became the first Hawaii-resident recording artist to win a Grammy Award since the category for Hawaiian music was eliminated in 2011; three months later he became the first person to win a Grammy Award and a Na Hoku Hanohano Award for the same project.
Pe‘a, 35, won his second Grammy Award in February.
What were you thinking in those seconds before they announced that you had won for the second time?
I was perspiring because I had presented 10 awards in other categories — three to Brandi Carlile, I’m a big fan of hers — and I was sitting there with my other half, sitting there with my bedazzled sequined jacket thinking, “I’m here with (Grammy nominees) Na Hoa, and we’re here representing our kupuna, representing our kupuna before that, representing our ohana and our lahui Hawaii. We are here.”
“The Hawaiian language and Hawaiian music should be recognized on a global scale. Accolades do not define this boy who grew up with guavas (in the homestead). I thank the values and the practices that my parents and my grandparents instilled in me.” That’s what was running in my head while I sat there in my purple sequined jacket and maile lei.
Did you have an acceptance speech prepared — just in case?
No. I was just going to listen to the whispers of our kupuna and allow them to give me the knowledge and wisdom to say what I had to say.
Why did you wait until you were in your 30s to make your first recording?
I didn’t feel qualified. I had been singing all those years in church and in talent shows and karaoke, learned music theory and ear training, learned how to play piano, learned how to play ukulele, but I had never never thought of doing it professionally. Then Allan said, “You got to quit this s— (singing karaoke). You need to share your music and your olelo around the world.”
How do you and Allan approach the business side of the music business?
I’m all about effective collaboration, growth and development. Build bridges, not walls. Being able to work with Dave Tucciarone on the albums. Being able to work with Manuheali‘i on costumes and clothing for my music video. Surrounding ourselves with people who bring value to the table. There’s numerous challenges, but there’s great triumphs.
What is something about you that might surprise people?
My mom named me after a vintage Avon cologne. My first name is Trazaara. Trazaara Kalani Juanito Pe‘a. It’s on my (driver’s) license.
What is your next big project?
A: I’m singing for Hula Halau ‘O Kamuela at Merrie Monarch in April, and then my “May Day Is Lei Day in Hawaii” concert at the Hawaii Theatre (Center) with my friends, my colleagues, my idols — Amy Hanaiali‘i, Mark Yamanaka, Na Hoa, Sonny Ching — in May.
