Kekoa was born and raised in Kane‘ohe O‘ahu. A 1994 graduate from Kamehameha Schools, Kekoa recently earned his Bachelors Degree in Political Science at the University of Washington. He is currently working on a Masters degree in Public administration and will graduate next spring from the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa. Like his bandmates, music is not (yet) his career. While juggling between Holunape gigs, and obtaining his Masters, Kekoa has also held a government position for the past 7 years.

Kekoa has been happily married to his wife Cheryl for seven years. His second passion in life, surprisingly to many, is not music, but hunting. He is an avid hunter and can be found in the mountains when not working or playing music with Kama and Kanai‘a. Once a month, he is a hunter safety instructor for the State Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Mr. Kaluhiwa is the most experienced musician of the group. His formal training began at Kamehameha Schools where he was a member of the Concert Glee Club. He was also a Multi-Award Winning Song Leader at the Annual Kamehameha Schools Song Contest, leading his freshman, sophomore, and junior classes to victory. He was an original member of the groups Kana‘e and Kilinahe as a lead/rhythm ‘ukulele and lead/rhythm guitarist, respectively. He has been an active musician throughout his college career.

As the lone polished musician, he plays multiple instrumental rolls with Holunape. Clearly the best Bassist/Guitarist in the group, he is often seen playing the upright bass, but if you are lucky, you will find Kekoa occasionally tearing up lead licks on the guitar or ‘ukulele.

Kekoa‘s musical influences include his family who introduced Hawaiian music to him during his younger years, the Makaha Sons (of Ni‘ihau), the Brothers Cazimero, Sons of Hawai‘i, Aunty Genoa Keawe, and Kanai'a Nakamura.

Kekoa would like thank our Heavenly Father, family, friends and supporters who have supported his music over the years.

kekoa@holunape.com