The wonderful Hawaiian meles he performed spawned a vision in Keoki — reach and teach the keiki o ka aina; preserve this rich heritage. So Keoki began by teaching ukulele, starting with informal lessons, then progressing to ukulele and slack key guitar workshops and formal lessons throughout the State of Hawaii and the mainland. Keoki has taught at various educational institutions, including the Queen Liliuokalani Children Center, Maui Community College — PACE Program, King Kekaulike High School, Haleakala Waldorf School, Kapalua Art School, Na’alehu Theater, Kona’s Historic Donkey Mill Art Center, and The University of Hawaii at Hilo — College of Continuing Education and Community Service and Senior College classes; and currently continues to teach private lessons from his home in Hilo on the Big Island. Keoki’s vision of preserving the musical tradition through teaching can reach a wider audience now, with his just-released instructional DVD, INTRODUCTION TO HAWAIIAN SLACK KEY GUITAR.

In 1995, while pursuing his vision, Keoki started The Annual Youth Ukulele Players Contest  which showcases the musical talents of Maui County children and gives them an opportunity to perform on stage as a member of  his ukulele band, Kaulana Na Pua O Maui.  In the same year, Keoki was featured on his first recording, HO`OILINA -THE LEGACY, with his father.  Now a musical tradition, the ukulele contest marks its eleventh year in the Summer of 2005.

Beginning in 2000, Keoki teamed up with Herb Ohta, Jr. on several projects, carrying on the next generation in Hawaiian music.  Together, they released HAWAIIAN FROM THE HEART, featuring Keoki's unique vocal stylings and slack key guitar artistry. This pairing was so successful that in 2002 they released a second album, TREASURES OF ALOHA, followed by a Generations Concert Tour.

In support and recognition of promising artists who further the development of Asian Pacific American performing arts, Keoki received the 2003 Duane Ebata Award.

Keoki’s solo CD LIKO contains a wonderful mix of contemporary Hawaiian, ki ho'alu, 'ukulele and a hint of blues.  In 2005 LIKO was named one of the top 3 CDs in the Slack Key Category of the Hawaii Music Awards. Wayne Harada, entertainment writer for the Honolulu Advertiser says, "Keoki Kahumoku is one of his generation's masters of the stroke and the voice."

Furthermore, Keoki is also one of the artists of the 2005 Na Hoku Hanohano Award for Compilation album of the year: Various Artists — "Hula! Big Island Style"(Palm), Charles Michael Brotman, producer.

His latest solo CD is RISE & SHINE (Daniel Ho Records). Until recently, Keoki admits he treated music like a hobby. "I was never really sure how to make a living out of it." Then the signs came in the form of several Grammy awards. Keoki recorded this album with Daniel Ho right after winning Hawai‘i’s second Grammy in 2006 and he played the songs with a renewed determination to make music a priority.

And the Grammy goes to… ki ho’alu!  Keoki is one of ten artists in 2005 that make up Slack Key Guitar Volume 2 which took the first-ever Hawaiian Album Grammy in a stunning musical milestone. Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle praised these winning artists, commenting that the award brings “long-overdue worldwide recognition to our islands’ unique musical stylings.”  He again, won a Grammy in 2006, performing on the Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar, Volume 1, 48th GRAMMY Award Winner for Best Hawaiian Music Album.

Keoki is also featured on our 2006 released compilation CD: Legends of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar -Live from Maui which was honored with the 49th Annual GRAMMY Award for Best Hawaiian Music Album.

Keoki is again featured on our newest compilation CD: Treasures of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar   (Daniel Ho Records) which just won the 50th Annual GRAMMY Award for Best Hawaiian Music Album. 

When not on the road or teaching, you can find Keoki farming his land, hunting with his dogs or tending his mountain pua’a. Equally comfortable cooking for a crowd or performing for them, Keoki draws his inspiration from his roots. Whether meeting him on stage or off, this truly Hawaiian from the Heart makes you feel like family and draws you away from wherever you’ve come. Like his dad, Keoki’s performance is as much about his relaxed, engaging “talk story” as it is about his wide Hawaiian repertoire.  Dad George Jr. said that his son “has a passion for Hawaiian music in all its form.” 

Keoki's passion for Hawaiian music and culture continues through his performances and teachings.

For more information on Keoki, visit www.kahumoku.com/keoki

See Keoki perform in The Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Concert Series at The Napili Kai Beach Resort, Maui on June 18, 2008.

He previously performed in this series on December 26, 2008 and October 31, 2007 and as the guest host on June 20 and March 21, 2007 and as the guest Master on August 23, 2006 and before that on December 14, July 26, June 21, March 22, and January 11, in 2005, November 16 and August 31, in 2004 and November 4, 2003 and as guest host on June 21, 2006, August 30, 2005 and December 23 and 30, March 23, 2004 and June 22, 2004.