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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, February 26, 2008

From our readers ...

 •  Music legend Aunty Genoa Keawe dies

One memory that I will never forget about this most gracious and kind woman is when I was backstage at a "Take a Walk in the Country" concert with the Makaha Sons. There was Aunty Genoa sitting down, waiting for her cue and looking nervous. I went over to greet her and she mentioned she was so nervous about going out. "But Aunty," I replied, "you do this all time." Her response was, "I know, but this is one big audience." I told her that she would do fine, no worry and to have faith. She thanked me and that night, she went on and performed "Alika" and she still had it! She will be greatly missed here but boy, they are going to have one mean jam session with her in heaven now.

Kaelene Foo, Honolulu

I grew up listening Aunty Genoa in our house. It's because of her and other Hawaiian performers that I play na mele 'o Hawai'i. My kids loved it when they were growing up. I now live in the Mainland, but my uhane is always Hawaiian. I will miss Aunty G. My prayers and thoughts are with her 'ohana at this time.

Puna, Fox Lake, Wis.

Listening and hearing your traditional Hawaiian music and your beautiful falsetto voice gave me "chicken skin" and made me feel proud to be Hawaiian!

Leimamo, Pearl City

She is the true essence of a true lady and matriarch and all that is good in Hawai'i and the world. We were all blessed by her beauty, grace, aloha and music. She made our lives better and I know this is the day she lived for — to enter heaven in the peaceful manner in which she lived.

Kaonohikahikinoo Kala, Cedar City, Utah

There is a Samoan saying, "E tasi ae afe." It means "one but worth a thousand." Aunty Genoa exemplified this. She made a difference not only in thousands but quite possibly millions of lives.

Max Purcell, Hau'ula

Auwe. Rest in Peace. As I grow older, we lose these treasures of the Hawai'i I knew. Aunty Genoa joins Iz and Gabby Pahinui. I can imagine them playing off each other now.

Mike J., Houston

I still can reminisce and hear her sweet, powerful, peaceful voice that goes back to the mid to late '50s when I frequently patronized her lounge in Kaimuki, Sierra Club, a time when Honolulu was my residence. I'm a Maui Boy who has returned to Maui for his golden years but still hears Aunty Genoa's voice calling from Honolulu.

Santiago Magallanes, Kahului, Maui