"Kealoha is like a son to me. I have always felt such a strong connection to him from the first time we met. Our spiritual and creative energies are so amazingly 'pono.' He's the real deal. Good person, good spirit, and amazingly creative. I am lucky to have him in my life. I love him like a son." --Henry Kapono, Hawaiʻi Music Icon
Selected Highlights of Kealoha's Performances and Workshops
Concerts & Festivals
- Utah Arts Festival, 2023 (Utah)
- C&K's 50th Anniversary Concert at the Waikīkī Shell, 2023 (Oʻahu)
- Kauaʻi Songwriters Festival, 2022, 2023 (Kauaʻi)
- California World Fest with Old Crow Medicine Show, Monsieur Periné, and Sean Kuti & Egypt 80, 2022 (California)
- Smithsonian Institution - National Museum of the American Indian, "Indigenous Poetry: Resilience" with U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo, Natalie Diaz, and Jamaica Osorio, 2021 (Washington DC/Virtual)
- Earthjustice's 50th Anniversary Celebration, 2021 (California/Virtual)
- Edmonds Center for the Arts with Shane Koyczan, Andrea Gibson, Jericho Brown, Robin Sanders, and youth poets, 2020 (Washington/Virtual)
- The Green Room with U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo, 2020 (Oʻahu)
- Hawaiʻi Theatre, "The Story of Everything" with full cast, 2019 (Oʻahu)
- Arizona State University's Gammage, "The Story of Everything" with touring cast, 2019 (Arizona)
- The Green Room with U.S. Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith, 2018 (Maui and Oʻahu)
- University of Utah's Kingsbury Hall, "The Story of Everything" with touring cast, 2018 (Utah)
- Walton Arts Center, "The Story of Everything" with touring cast, 2018 (Arkansas)
- The Chan Centre, Solo Concert, 2018 (Vancouver, Canada)
- College of Lake County, Solo Concert, 2018 (Illinois)
- Wanderlust, Mainstage Opening Show, 2018 (Oʻahu)
- National Bioneers Conference, "The Story of Everything" with full cast, 2017 (California)
- Ocean Aid Festival with Henry Kapono at the Waikīkī Shell, 2017 (Oʻahu)
- Wanderlust, Speakeasy, 2017 (Oʻahu)
- Idyllwild Arts: Native American Arts Festival, "The Story of Everything" with touring cast, 2016 (California)
- Anchorage Concert Association with Hapa, 2016 (Alaska)
- Hawaiʻi Theatre with Taimane, 2016 (Oʻahu)
- Doris Duke Theatre with Hapa, 2014, 2016 (Oʻahu)
- Z Space, "The Story of Everything" solo show, 2015 (California)
- Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, "The Story of Everything" solo show, 2015 (Alaska)
- Mamiya Theatre, "The Story of Everything" world premiere with full cast, 2015 (Oʻahu)
- Bay Area Storytelling Festival - Featured Storyteller, 2015 (California)
- Duke Theater, Double Bill with Diane Ferlatte, 2015 (California)
- Alibi Ale Works, Solo Concert, 2015 (Nevada)
- Truckee Community Arts Center, solo concert, 2015 (California)
- Love Legacy Concert with John Cruz, 2015 (Oʻahu)
- Bishop Museum with Taimane, 2015 (Oʻahu)
- Juneau Arts & Culture Center, solo concert, 2014 (Alaska)
- San Juan Community Theater, solo concert, 2014 (Washington)
- Open Space on Vashon Island, solo concert, 2014 (Washington)
- Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center with Hapa, 2013 (California)
- U.C. Irvine with Hapa, 2013 (California)
- Soka University with Hapa, 2013 (California)
- Hawaiʻi Theatre with Henry Kapono, 2013 (Oʻahu)
- Mokihana Festival, 2012 (Kauaʻi)
- Maui Arts and Cultural Center with Henry Kapono, 2012 (Maui)
- University of Hawaiʻi Opening Football Game, 2011 (Oʻahu)
- 4th of July Spectacular, 2011 (Oʻahu, thousands in attendance)
- Hard Rock Cafe Honolulu Opening, 2011 (Oʻahu)
- Bay Area Storytelling Festival - Featured Storyteller, 2010 (California)
- Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards Ceremony, 2010, 2 Performances (Oʻahu)
- The Wild Hawaiian Experience with Henry Kapono at the Triple Door, 2010 (Seattle)
- Kahilu Theatre, solo concert, 2010 (Waimea, Hawaiʻi Island)
- Hāna Arts, solo concert, 2010 (Hāna, Maui)
- World Invitational Hula Festival 2009 (Oʻahu)
- Green Aloha Concert 2009 - Sunset at the Beach (Oʻahu)
- Alma Surf Festival 2008 at the Bienal do Ibirapuera (São Paulo, Brazil)
- NFL Pro Bowl Halftime Show 2007 (50,000 in attendance)
- Jack Johnson's Kōkua Festival 2006, Waikīkī Shell (8,000 in attendance) and Maui Arts and Cultural Center (5,000 in attendance)
- Willie K and Eric Gilliom's Barefoot Bash 2006, (Lāhainā, Maui)
- Henry Kapono's Wild Hawaiian Tour, 2006 (Thousands in attendance: Oʻahu, Maui, Hawaiʻi Island, and Kauaʻi)
- Hawaiʻi Theatre with Jason Mraz and Makana, 2005 (1,400 in attendance)
- Hawaiʻi Convention Center Concert Series with Makana & John Cruz, 2005, (Oʻahu)
- Planet Hip-Hop with Keynote Speaker Doug E. Fresh, 2004 (New Jersey Performing Arts Center)
Conferences, Workshops, and Functions
- Shanti Alliance - Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Conference, 2024 (Keynote Speaker)
- Obama Foundation, Closing Ceremony for the Leaders Asia-Pacific program, 2022, 2023 (Keynote Speaker)
- Kauaʻi Writers Conference, 2023 (Presenter)
- MIT Special Commencement Ceremony, 2022 (Keynote Speaker)
- National Minority Supplier Development Council, Leadership Awards presentation, 2021 (Performer/Virtual)
- Art After Dark at Honolulu Museum of Art, 2020 (Performer)
- Conversation with 6 Poets Laureate presented by U.S. Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC, 2019 (Performer/Speaker)
- Honolulu Biennial - 2017 VIP party, 2019 main stage (Performer)
- TEDxJacksonHole in Wyoming, 2018 (Presenter)
- Verge Hawaiʻi, 2016, 2017, 2018 (Performer/Speaker)
- Wyoming Arts Council Summit, 2017 (Keynote Speaker)
- Hawaiʻi Community Foundation's 100th Anniversary Tour throughout Hawaiʻi, 2016 (Commissioned Performance Poem)
- Your Love Legacy with John Cruz, 2015, 2016 (Performer)
- TEDxHonolulu, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016 (Emcee)
- The Hammer Museum in Los Angeles, "Language Matters" film premiere, 2015 (Performer)
- Protect Our Winters Conference with Professional Skiers and Snowboarders in Tahoe, 2015 (Performer and Workshop Presenter)
- Kapiʻolani Hospital Annual Fundraiser, 2015 (Commissioned Performance Poem)
- Pillars of Peace with Desmond Tutu (Nobel Peace Prize), Gro Harlem Brundtland (first woman Prime Minister of Norway), and Hina Jilani (leading activist in Pakistan’s women’s movement), 2014 (Performer)
- Grantmakers in the Arts Conference in Houston, 2014 (Presenter)
- White House reception for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, 2013 (Attendee)
- Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC - Freer Gallery of Art, AAPIs in the Arts Youth Workshops presented by the White House, 2013 (Workshop Presenter)
- Arts Northwest Booking Conference, 2013 (Keynote Speaker)
- White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders: National Philanthropic Briefing, 2012 (Performer)
- Rebuild the Dream Revival w/ Van Jones at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol, 2012 (Performer)
- TEDxMānoa, 2012 (Presenter)
- National Endowment for the Arts: Hawaiʻi Arts at Work Program, 2010 & 2011 (Master Artist)
- TEDxHonolulu, 2011 (Presenter)
- Hawaiʻi Executive Conference, 2011 (Closing Speaker/Presenter)
- W.K. Kellogg Foundation Learning Labs Annual Conference in Seattle, 2011 (Closing Presenter)
- International Forum for Visual Practitioners Annual Conference, 2011 (Performer)
- Office of Hawaiian Affairs State of OHA, 2011 (Performer)
- H.M.S.A. Kaimana Awards, 2011 (Keynote Speaker)
- Poetry Out Loud, 2011 (Emcee and Guest Performer)
- Blue Planet Foundation Fundraiser at Hawaiʻi Governor's Mansion, 2011 (Performer)
- Hawaiʻi Peoples Fund Anuual Dinner, 2011 (Emcee and Performer)
- Celebrate Teen Reading, 2003-2011 (Opening Conference Performer, Emcee, and Workshop Presenter)
- Nā Hōkū O Hawaiʻi, 2010 (Meet the Artist Session and Writing Workshop Presenter)
- Hawaiʻi Book and Music Festival, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010 (Performer)
- Maui Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce, 2010 (Speaker and Performer)
- Star Poets Award Ceremony, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 (Performer)
- Hawaiʻi Writers Conference, 2009 (Opening Conference Performer, Workshop Presenter)
- National Storytelling Network Conference, 2009 (Performer and Workshop Presenter)
- Men's March Against Violence, Honolulu, 2005 & 2009 (Speaker and Performer)
- Mānoa Forum Conference with University of Hawaiʻi and Community Leaders, 2009 (Participant and Closing Night Performer)
- Envision Hawaiʻi Leadership Conference 2005 & 2009 (Speaker)
- Take Back the Night - The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo's Sexual Violence Prevention Project, 2008 (Closing Night Performer)
- Bamboo Ridge Writers Institute, 2004-2008 (Opening Night Performer and Master's Workshop Presenter)
- GiRLFeST Hawaiʻi, 2004-2008 (Performer, Emcee, and Workshop Presenter)
- Pen Womens Conference (Opening Night Performer and Workshop Presenter), 2006 & 2008
- Discover Recycling Fair, 2006-2008 (Emcee and Performer)
- Week Without Violence Festival on Kauaʻi 2007 (Performer)
- Bowery Arts & Sciences Lecture at the Bowery Poetry Club, 2007 (Lecture title: "Creating work that shines and uplifts in an angst-ridden slam culture")
- Art Spree at the Honolulu Contemporary Museum, 2005-2007 (Performer and Workshop Presenter)
- Maui Arts and Cultural Center, Storytelling Festival 2006 (Performer and Workshop Presenter)
- Honolulu Storytelling Festival, 2003-2005 (Performer)
Film, TV, and Radio
- Shaka, a Story of Aloha Film, 2024 (Soundtrack Writer and Performer)
- Growing Up Local Film, 2023 Extended run at Consolidated Theatres & available on Amazon Prime (Spoken Word Writer)
- The Story of Everything Film, 2022-2023 Tour with showings at the Golden Gate International Film Festival (winner of Best Documentary Film, Best Male Actor, & Best Original Score), the Awareness Festival (winner of the Special Jury Acting Award), Maui Film Festival (winner of the Peoples Choice Award), the Cinema Verde Environmental Film & Arts Festival (Honorable Mention), the Mediterranean Film Festival, Cannes-Milan-Athens (winner of Best Feature Documentary), the Hawaiʻi International Film Festival, the Skirball Cultural Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, U.C. Berkeley, The Honolulu Museum of Art, and the City University of New York (Scriptwriter and Performer)
- Susan G. Komen Pink Tie Celebration, 2021 (Scriptwriter and Performer)
- Covid-19 Safety PSA, 2020 (Voice Talent)
- Vote by Mail PSA, 2017 (Scriptwriter and Performer)
- Joyful Heart Foundation: "Hawaiʻi says no more" campaign, 2016 (Performer)
- Hawaiʻi for Hawaiʻi Concert, 2015, 2016 (Simul-broadcast on KGMB, KHNL, and online)
- World Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education, 2014 (Scriptwriter for Promotional Video)
- PBS Hawaiʻi - Annual Telethon, 2012 (Guest Performer)
- Kōkua for Japan Concert, 2011 (Simul-broadcast over all major stations in Hawaiʻi)
- Together Hawaiʻi Music Video with Henry Kapono, Amy Hanaialiʻi, Robi Kahakalau, and more, 2011 (Writer/Performer)
- Governor Neil Abercrombie and Lieutenant Governor Brian Schatz's inauguration, 2010 (Simul-broadcast over all major stations in Hawaiʻi)
- Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards Show, 2010 (Two Performances)
- Long Story Short on PBS with Leslie Wilcox, 2010 (Interview/Performer)
- "Get a Job" Movie, 2010 (Actor/Performer/Poem Writer, winner of "Jury Award" at Las Vegas Film Festival, "Best Comedy" at Ventura Film Festival and Detroit Windsor International Film Festival, and nominee for "Best Film" at Marbella Internacional Film Festival)
- Nā Hōkū O Hawaiʻi Music Festival TV Promo, 2010 (Scriptwriter & Performer)
- HBO’s Brave New Voices series presented by Russel Simmons, 2009 (Performer/Interview)
- Kōkua for the Pacific Concert, 2009 (Simul-broadcast over all major stations in Hawaiʻi)
- PBS presents Henry Kapono Live, 2009 (Performer)
- National Public Radio, 2008 (Interview)
- "The World's Greatest Poetry Slam" DVD series, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008 (featured performer)
- The Food Network, 2008 (Extra)
- "Can't Fool the Youth" Anti-Smoking PSA, 2007 (Scriptwriter, Lead Performer, and Talent Director)
- NFL Pro Bowl Halftime Show, 2007 (Performer)
- "Respect" Sexual Assault PSA, 2006 (Voice Talent, won the 2007 Pele Award for Best Public Service Campaign)
- "The Wild Hawaiian" Show, 2006 (Performer/Interview)
- Lost, NBC, 2005 (Extra)
- Kōkua for Katrina Concert, 2005 (Simul-broadcast over all major stations in Hawaiʻi)
- "Hawaiʻi Slam: Poetry in Paradise" Film, 2005 (Interview/Performer)
- Living Local with the Baraquio's, 2005 (Interview)
- Dis-n-dat, 2005 (Interview)
- Overdrive Live, 2004 (Performer)
- Entertaining in Paradise, 2004 (Performer)
Poetry Slams
- 2011 National Poetry Slam (Coach of the Hawaiʻi Slam Team)
- 2011 Volcano Poetry Slam (Feature Poet)
- 2010 National Poetry Slam (Opening Ceremony Performer and "National Slam Legends" Showcase Performer)
- 2009 National Poetry Slam (Captain of 5th ranked team and Host of the "Asian-American Showcase")
- 2008 National Poetry Slam (Group Piece Finalist and Host of the "Mosaic/People of Color Showcase")
- 2008 Brave New Voices International Youth Poetry Slam (Coach of Championship Team and Workshop Presenter)
- 2008 Chicago's Green Mill (Feature Poet)
- 2007 National Poetry Slam (Individual Finalist, Ranked 8th out of 350 Poets)
- 2007 Zürich, Switzerland's Schiffbau (Feature Poet)
- 2007 Amsterdam, Netherlands' Rokerij (Feature Poet)
- 2007 New York City's Bowery Poetry Club (Feature Poet for Semi-Finals)
- 2007 Burning Man (Slam Champion and Performer for The Burn)
- 2007 Brave New Voices International Youth Poetry Slam (Host of 2 Quarterfinal Slams)
- 2005 National Poetry Slam (Final's Stage Best Pieces Showcase and Captain of the 7th ranked team)
- 2004 National Poetry Slam (Final's Stage Best Pieces Showcase)
- 2004 San Francisco Grand Slam (Finalist)
- 2004 New York City's Nuyorican Poets Cafe (Feature Poet)
- 2004 Boston's Cantab Lounge (Feature Poet)
- 2003-2009 National Poetry Slam (Hawaiʻi Slam Team captain)
- 2003-Present Hawaiʻi Slam (Slam Master and Emcee)
- Microsoft
- Salesforce
- Young Presidents Organization
- Mitsubishi
- Subaru
- Github
- World Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education
- Amway
- Earthjustice
- International Forum for Visual Practitioners
- W.K. Kellogg Foundation
- Child and Family Service
- Native Arts and Cultures Foundation
- Hawaiʻi Executive Conference
- Liliʻuokalani Trust
- Energy Excelerator
- Maitreya Institute
- Financial Executive Institute Hawaiʻi
- Girl Scouts of Hawaiʻi
- Planned Parenthood of Hawaiʻi
- Protect Our Winters
Universities/Colleges (only a handful listed)
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Massachusetts, Keynote Speaker)
- Association of College Unions International Conference (Keynote Speaker)
- Arizona State University (Arizona)
- U.C. Berkeley (California)
- U.C. Irvine (California)
- Soka University (California)
- Cal State University, Northridge (California)
- Lake Tahoe Community College (California)
- University of British Columbia (Vancouver, Canada)
- The City University of New York (New York)
- University of Utah (Utah)
- Utah State University (Utah)
- Purdue University (Indiana)
- Earlham College (Indiana)
- Washington State University (Washington)
- Edmonds Community College (Washington)
- College of Lake County (Illinois)
- Webster University (Missouri)
- Hawaiʻi Pacific University (Honolulu)
- University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (Honolulu)
- University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo (Hawaiʻi Island)
High Schools (only a handful listed)
- Punahou (Private), also commissioned to design and teach a full summer school course in Performing Arts
- ʻIolani (Private - multi-week residency through Harold Keables Scholar program)
- Kamehameha (Private, have worked with Oʻahu, Maui and Hawaiʻi Island campuses)
- Hālau Kū Māna (Hawaiian Charter School)
- Ānuenue (Hawaiian Charter School)
- Farrington (Public)
- Kapolei (Public)
- Kahuku (Public - multi-week residency)
- Kalani (Public)
- Kamehameha (Hawaiʻi Island)
- Kaʻu (Hawaiʻi Island)
- Konawaena (Hawaiʻi Island)
- Molokaʻi High (Molokaʻi - multi-week residency)
- Lānaʻi High School (Lānaʻi)
- Kauaʻi High School (Kauaʻi - multi-week residency)
- Post Falls High School (Idaho)
- South Tahoe High School (California)
- North Tahoe High School (California)
- Truckee High School (California)
- Mount Tallac High School (California)
- Juneau-Douglas High School (Alaska)
- Jackson Hole High School, Arapahoe Charter High School, Saint Stephens Indian School (Wyoming)
- Youth in Care (formerly Youth in Custody), International Charter School, and Mana Academy (Utah)
Intermediate and Elementary (only a handful listed)
- Waiau Elementary (Public, also taught Hawaiian Immersion class - multi-week residency)
- ʻIolani Elementary (Private)
- Mākaha Elementary (Public - multi-week residency)
- Salt Lake Elementary (Public - multi-week residency)
- Waiʻanae Elementary (Public - multi-week residency)
- Lehua Elementary (Public - multi-week residency)
- Ka Waihona o Ka Naʻauao (Public - multi-week residency)
- Kamaliʻi Elementary (Maui)
- Punahou Intermediate (Private)
- King Intermediate (Public)
- Moanalua Intermediate (Public)
- Kailua Intermediate (Public)
- Highlands Intermediate (Public)
- Waimea Middle School (Hawaiʻi Island - multi-week residency)
- Kaimukī Middle School (Public - multi-week residency)
- Sort It Out Recycling Tour to 28 Elementary & Middle Schools (Public and Private)
- South Tahoe Middle School (California)
- McMurray Middle School (Washington)
- Arapahoe Elementary and Arapahoe Middle School (Wyoming)
- McNair Middle School, Owl Creek School, and Holt Middle School (Arkansas)
- Pioneer Elementary, Mount Logan Middle School, Mountain View Elementary, and Pacific Heritage Academy (Utah)
Community Organizations (only a handful listed)
- Liliʻuokalani Trust
- Kalaupapa Performance for Patients with Hansen's Disease
- Workshop for Teachers at Kapiʻolani Community College
- Workshop for Preschool Teachers, Chaminade University
- Halawa Men's Prison
- Waimānalo Women's Prison
- Hawaiʻi Youth Correctional Facility
- Kūlia Nā Mamo Transgendered Community
- Drug Addiction Services of Hawaiʻi
- Life Foundation HIV/AIDS Care and Prevention
- Planned Parenthood 45th Anniversary Celebration
- Menlo Park Library (Bay Area, California)
- 5 Full Library Tours - various libraries throughout Oʻahu, Kauaʻi, Molokaʻi, Maui, and Hawaiʻi Island
