Dennis Pavao
Encyclopedia
Dennis Pavao was one of several Hawaiian musicians who, during the 1970s, led a Hawaiian music renaissance
, reviving Hawaiian music, especially "ka leo ki'eki'e," or Hawaiian falsetto
singing. Along with his cousins, Ledward and Nedward Kaapana, Pavao started the group Hui Ohana. Hui Ohana became the premier falsetto
group in Hawaii. After the breakup of Hui Ohana, Dennis Pavao moved on to pursue a solo career.
Pavao was born in Kalapana on the Big Island in Hawaii. Jerry Kunimoto, one of Dennis' close longtime friends once said, "Dennis’ recordings over three decades will be sung for generations; he’s one of those performers. If our lives can be measured by the number of people we can touch in a positive way, then Dennis is in a place we all aspire to." He died from a brain aneurysm on January 19, 2002 at the age of fifty.
Hawaiian Renaissance
The First and Second Hawaiian Renaissance was the Hawaiian resurgence of a distinct cultural identity that draws upon traditional kānaka maoli culture, with a significant divergence from the tourism-based "culture" which Hawaii was previously known for worldwide .-First Hawaiian...
, reviving Hawaiian music, especially "ka leo ki'eki'e," or Hawaiian falsetto
Falsetto
Falsetto is the vocal register occupying the frequency range just above the modal voice register and overlapping with it by approximately one octave. It is produced by the vibration of the ligamentous edges of the vocal folds, in whole or in part...
singing. Along with his cousins, Ledward and Nedward Kaapana, Pavao started the group Hui Ohana. Hui Ohana became the premier falsetto
Falsetto
Falsetto is the vocal register occupying the frequency range just above the modal voice register and overlapping with it by approximately one octave. It is produced by the vibration of the ligamentous edges of the vocal folds, in whole or in part...
group in Hawaii. After the breakup of Hui Ohana, Dennis Pavao moved on to pursue a solo career.
Pavao was born in Kalapana on the Big Island in Hawaii. Jerry Kunimoto, one of Dennis' close longtime friends once said, "Dennis’ recordings over three decades will be sung for generations; he’s one of those performers. If our lives can be measured by the number of people we can touch in a positive way, then Dennis is in a place we all aspire to." He died from a brain aneurysm on January 19, 2002 at the age of fifty.
Nā Hōkū Hanohano
Dennis won several different Nā Hōkū Hanohano, meaning the distinguished/glorious stars, awards.- His 1989 album, Hawaiian Soul, won the Nā Hōkū Hanohano award for traditional Hawaiian album of the year.
- In 1987, his album Ka Leo Kiekie, meaning falsetto voice, won him the top male vocalist of the year award.
- In 1993, he received a Nā Hōkū Hanohano award for his album Nā Mele Henoheno.
Albums
- Ka Leo Kiekie - 1986
- Hawaiian Soul - 1989
- Na Mele Henoheno - 1992
- All Hawaii Stand Together - 1994
- Wale Nō - 1995
- Sweet Leilani - 1996
- Keiki Kupuna - 2004 (The songs on this album were recorded just weeks prior to his death.)
- Golden Voice of Hawaii, Vol 1 - 2004 (Includes never released Dennis Pavao recordings as well as some re-mixed and re-mastered recordings that his producer, Trav Duro, Jr. put together after his passing.)