#101 | Raiatea Helm | Growing up on Moloka'i, Hawaiian music and culture, and ancestry

Raiatea Helm is a Native-Hawaiian musical talent from the island of Moloka’i. She skyrocketed to fame at just 18-years-old with her debut album, "Far away heaven” in 2002. Her pure, resonant voice mastered the art of leo ki’eki’e (Hawaiian falsetto), earning her two Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards, including Female Vocalist of the Year. Her second release earned her 4 more Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards in 2006 when she also became the first Hawaii solo female vocalist grammy nominee. Raiatea’s musical journey was celebrated in the top 10 of the 25 greatest Hawaiian albums of the new century…and she received a second grammy nomination in 2008. In 2017 she clinched her 8th Nā Hōkū Hanohano award being named Female Vocalist of the Year. She is Hawai’i’s premier female vocalist, preserving the tradition of Hawaiian falsetto from the early to mid-20th century. In this episode we talk about growing up in Moloka'i, her legendary family, her music career, going back to school, Hawaiian ancestors, and so much more. Enjoy! Find Raiatea here: https://www.instagram.com/raiateamusic// Buy our merch on: https://keepitaloha.com/ Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kamakadias Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KeepitAlohaPod/ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keepitalohapod/ Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keepitalohapod/ Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keepitalohapod