Kalani Peʻa (born April 13, 1983) is a four-time Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter of Hawaiian music.
[7] Peʻa started singing as a young boy due to a speech impediment,[8] later stating that music saved his life.
[13] He departed his position as a Hawaiian resource coordinator at Kamehameha Schools in 2017 to pursue his career in music full-time.
[14] Peʻa was involved in musicals and acting productions while being part of various popular Play Bills at Colorado Mesa University.
[21][non-primary source needed] Peʻa made his debut headline performance at the historic Hawaii Theatre in 2019.
[22][23][24] In 2019, Peʻa was invited by The Recording Academy to present at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony along with Lzzy Hale, Questlove, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Tokimonsta and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.
Peʻa showed up on the red carpet at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards in a purple sequin blazer that caught attention from the press.
Cool wore a feather cape, or ʻahu‘ula, created by master feather-worker and cultural practitioner Kawika Lum-Nelmida.
Pe'a was named to perform a part of the music series which also included Ali Stroker and Tony Award winner André De Shields.
[31] This marked Pe'a's debut performance in New York City and making it a first ever for Hawaiian music to be a part of the series.
[40] At the 64th Annual Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony Pe'a performed as part of the opening act at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
[41][42] The song "Dance to the Music" by Sly and the Family Stone was performed by Kalani Pe’a, Nnenna Freelon, Madison Cunningham, Falu, The Isaacs And John Popper.
Some of the names included in the "Maui Nui Hall of Fame" were Kealiʻi Reichel, Amy Hānaialiʻi Gilliom and Willie K.[47]
[better source needed] The council said, "Your Grammy award inspires members of the next generation to work hard, dream big, and express love and joy in all that they do.
This "Kalani Peʻa Day" was given to Pe’a during his homecoming concert at his alma mater at Ke Kula o Nawahiokalaniopuu – The Hawaiian Language Laboratory School in Keaʻau, Hawaiʻi.
In the fall of 2019 Pe'a received the prestigious distinguished alumni award from his former college he attended in his younger years Colorado Mesa University.
Pe'a also mentioned in his interview that while attending college he first planned to graduate with a major in music but ended up getting his degree in mass communication.