UPDATE: Congratulations, Kalani! His debut album won the coveted Grammy Award. View the full story here.
Nominations for the 59th annual Grammy Awards were announced Tuesday, and a Hawaiian singer-songwriter who used to work for KHON2 is among the nominees!
Kalani Pe‘a was nominated for Best Regional Roots Music Album for his debut album “E Walea.”
Pe‘a worked on our assignment desk several years ago and is now a teacher at Kamehameha Schools.
He says he started singing when he was four years old as a way to overcome a speech impediment.
“I’ve been singing for my entire life since I was 4 years old, and to create an album that really defines who I am as a modern millennial Hawaiian, I wanted to share Hawaiian music through my art,” Pe‘a said. “I’m just grateful to be representing Hawaii at the Grammys next year.”
Pe‘a’s debut album just came out in August. Click here for more information about his music.
Winners will be announced on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2017.
