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Willie K

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Willie K
Willie K performing on Maui
Born
William Awihilima Kahaiali'i

(1960-10-17)October 17, 1960
Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, US
Died (aged 59)
Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii, US
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • musician
  • entertainer
Years active1970–2018
AwardsNa Hoku Hanohano Award
Musical career
Genres
  • Hawaiian music
  • blues
  • rock
  • opera
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • ukulele
Websitewilliek.com

William Awihilima Kahaiali'i (October 17, 1960 – May 18, 2020), known as Willie K,[1] was a Hawaiian musician who performed in a variety of styles, including blues, rock, opera and Hawaiian music.[2][1]

Early life

Born and raised in a family of musicians in Lahaina, Hawaii, Willie began performing at the age of 8 alongside his father, Hawaiian jazz guitarist Manu Kahaiali’i.[3]

Career

In 1991 and 1992, Willie came to Honolulu from Lahaina, Maui, playing in Waikiki at Keone's, Lewer Street with packed audiences. KDE Records (Kapena label) produced Willie's first two albums: "Kahaiali‘i" and "Here is my Heart", both recorded at Rendez-Vous Recording, Honolulu. His manager was Ken Thompson (KT) and Music co-Arranger / Producer / Engineer / Musician was Pierre Grill. The first album received 12 Na Hoku Hano Hano Awards and every song became a hit that are still Willie's biggest legacy: "Good Morning", "Katchi Katchi Music Makawao", "You Ku‘uipo","North Shore Reggae Blues", "My Molokai Woman", "Ho‘okipa Surf Song", "Honey Girl". Percussionist Tony Flores contributed greatly to the lively sound of those recordings and performed with Willie during that year. The second album "Here is my Heart" included: "I Will Dance For You", "Appleberry Hill", "Here is My Heart", "Koi", "Waterfall", "Love and Desire". All those were later re-released in new CDs. In 1993, Willie began a collaboration with Amy Hānaialiʻi Gilliom that would last for nine years. The pair recorded, performed, and toured together, and also shared a personal relationship.[4] Their recordings won seven Na Hoku Hanohano Awards, part of Willie's total of 19 Hokus as a musician and producer.[5][6]

In 2005, Willie's reunion album with Gilliom, Amy & Willie Live, was nominated for a Grammy in the first year of the Best Hawaiian Music Album award.[7]

In 2007, Willie K became one of very few artists to win a Hoku as part of three different acts – his collaboration with Eric Gilliom won Best Contemporary Hawaiian Album, in addition to wins already achieved with Amy and as a solo artist.[8]

Cancer and death

In February 2018, Willie K was diagnosed with lung cancer and promptly cancelled upcoming performances in Honolulu.[9] In April 2019, Willie announced via his Facebook page that he was undergoing immunotherapy.[5]

In January 2020, in a video posted to Facebook, Willie announced that his cancer was at the terminal stage. He made the video after a concert at Blue Note Hawaii in Waikiki. He stated that his "spirits remained high during the concert," which was supposed to be only a 90-minute set, but lasted for two hours. "The crowd deserved it," he said.[10]

Willie K died at age 59 on May 18, 2020.[11][12][13][14][15]

References

  1. ^ a b Paul Liberatore (2015-12-03). "Willie K, from Hawaiian Hendrix to Polynesian Pavarotti". Marin Independent Journal. Retrieved 2016-04-09.
  2. ^ Brandle, Lars (20 May 2020). "Willie K, Grammy-Nominated Hawaiian Artist, Dies at 59". Billboard. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  3. ^ Campos, Samantha (25 May 2006). "Who Is Willie K?". Maui TIme. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
  4. ^ Olena Heu and Melissa Chang (2014-10-26). "Amy Hanaiali'i and Willie K are reunited". Frolichawaii.com. Retrieved 2016-04-09.
  5. ^ a b "Awards". Willie K Hawaiian Music Maui Live Music Maui Entertainment. Retrieved 2020-05-27.
  6. ^ Schweizer, Laura (2 April 2019). "Willie K. shares his healing process, citing the 'power of prayer'". KITV. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
  7. ^ Wilma Consul (2005-02-11). "Hawaiian Music Makes Its Grammy Debut". Archives.starbulletin.com. Retrieved 2016-04-09.
  8. ^ John Berger (2007-06-21). "Na Hoku honors Gilliom, Kaukahi". Npr.org. Retrieved 2016-04-09.
  9. ^ "Willie K diagnosed with lung cancer, cancels performances". Hawaii News Now. February 5, 2018. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
  10. ^ Ancheta, Dillon (January 30, 2020). "Musician Willie K. announces his cancer is terminal, but says he'll keep 'rocking on'". HawaiiNewsNow.com. Retrieved May 28, 2020. What I said earlier about stages of my cancer, yes I'm at terminal now and I'm still going to be rocking on. I'm not going to stop. This cancer is not going to take me down — especially with all your blessings, from you, each and everyone of you, Praise God, praise Jesus, he will always take care of you.
  11. ^ Ancheta, Dillon (May 19, 2020). "Hawaiian music legend Willie K dies after lengthy battle lung cancer battle". HawaiiNewsNow.com. Retrieved May 19, 2020. According to his wife, he died peacefully late Monday night after enduring a lengthy battle with lung cancer. He was 59 years old.
  12. ^ "Hawaiian music icon Willie K has passed away". Kitv.com. Retrieved 2020-05-19.
  13. ^ John Ochoa (2020-05-20). "Willie K, GRAMMY-Nominated Hawaiian Artist And Producer, Dies at 59". grammy.com. Retrieved 2020-05-28.
  14. ^ Lars Brandle (2020-05-20). "Willie K, Grammy-Nominated Hawaiian Artist, Dies at 59". billboard.com. Retrieved 2020-05-28.
  15. ^ Gorkem Erel (2020-05-20). "Aerosmith's Steven Tyler Pays Tribute To Willie K In An Epic Way". metalcastle.net. Retrieved 2020-05-28.
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