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A Tribute to Moe Keale

His Fans Remember

He kêhau ho`oma`ema`e ke Aloha.
Love is like a cleansing dew.

Moe touched hearts wherever he went in the world.  Tributes come in many forms.  For a San Franciscan, an expatriate in Manila , a Southern Californian, a Minnesota transplant, a tribute to Moe came in the form of an eloquent, heartfelt editorial.  

Mahalo to the Honolulu Star-Bulletin who published them in April, 2002.  We did not feel quite so alone in our grief. The originals may be found here.  

Keale was rooted in spirit of Hawai`i

Once, during a break, he painstakingly dictated to me the chords to his version of "The Hospital Song," one of my wife's favorites. One of the most compelling things about his act at the Sheraton was his thorough knowledge of the background, setting and intention of each song, which he always presented before treating people with his smooth, emotive voice and melodic, rich `ukulele stylings.

Moe was deeply affected by the plight of his people. You could see it in his eyes and his reverence for the songs, the places and the spirit of Hawai`i. Most of all, you could see it in his restlessness in private moments, his muted dissatisfaction with the world.

I am griefstricken by his passing, mostly because of his cat-like restlessness in a world that seems determined to forget that all of us are continually hurting under the yoke of our compromises with a homogenized, deadening culture. When he snuck "Ain't Nobody's Business" in the middle of a tourist-oriented set, I heard the entire world's longing for Aloha.

Love forever to Moe and his family and friends.

John McFadden
San Francisco

His music was loved through the decades

I had the privilege of knowing Moe Keale in the 1970s and early '80s, before I left Hawaii and moved to Asia where I remain -- now 20 years on -- but I still call Hawaii home.

Moe was Aloha. He taught me to forgive, he helped me to love my brothers and sisters from the heart and he always made time to share. His music was passionate yet soothing, his talent unquestionable.

Although I never saw Moe after 1981, his music and his Aloha stayed with me...I am honored to have known such a man. I am absolutely sure there are many more like me with whom he shared his gift.

Moe always will be remembered with heartfelt Aloha.

Richard W. Riley
Manila

Moe spread his aloha to California college

Moe at The Shannon
Photo, courtesy of Aloha Joe

It is with great sadness that I learned of Moe Keale's death. As manager of the Shannon Center at Whittier College, I was privileged to know Moe and to have presented him on multiple occasions. His last performance here, on March 23, 2002 was full of the special spirit of Aloha that always surrounded him. He looked good, his voice was stronger than ever, and his sense of humor was unbeatable.

On Friday, March 22, 2002, Moe and his son, Nâlani, provided two outreach programs to local elementary school children in Whittier. These two programs were the most powerful and moving of all the programs that we have presented. Their history, stories, songs and dance helped our children understand more about the Hawaiian culture, while at the same time providing an insight on their own heritage (most of the children are of Hispanic descent, and the cultural history is similar).

Moe was a man who gave us a philosophy that he lived by every day -- the spirit of Aloha. Thank you, all Hawaiians, for living Aloha. Thank you, Moe, for sharing Aloha. We will do our best, here in Whittier, to carry on with that spirit. Aloha, Moe.

Photo, courtesy of Aloha Joe

David C. Palmer
Whittier, Calif.

Keale's music gave listeners chicken skin

His music will live forever on his CDs in my collection. His songs just give me chicken skin when I listen to them. I can feel the true meaning of Aloha in his songs.

He will be sorely missed, but, as his nephew said, he was full of Aloha.

Clayton Lum
Coon Rapids, Minn.

From the newsgroups:

The last time I saw you was about 4 months ago at the Sheraton Waikiki. You were playing poolside with Mel and Kalani, and looked like you were in perfect health. Little did I know. 

I introduced you to my girlfriend Ashley, who was extremely shy to meet you. You kissed her on the cheek, gave her a hug, and made her feel so comfortable. You looked so healthy and so engergetic - so happy. I hugged you and asked how you were. You said you were fine. 

I walked you to the elevator and that was the last time that I saw you. There was so much that I wanted to tell you - so much that I wanted to show you. I thought you would live forever. You seemed so "immortal". 

I remember a little more than 7 years ago, I came to Duke's and introduced you to my son. That was a happy day for me. I sure wish I had the chance to introduce you to my daughter, and I'll be kicking myself for the rest of my life for that. 

Time and time again, I wanted to come visit you and be with you and talk with you and have fun with you, but I was either too shy at the time or too hardheaded. I now regret every time that my mom told me to go visit you and I would tell her "Soon, mom. Soon."....please forgive me.

 I love you with all my heart. I've loved you since the day I was born. I've never stopped loving you and I never will stop loving you. I will never stop thinking of you. You will be in my heart forever. You are a part of me and I am a part of you. 

Love always, Hoku Boy