Biography:

Born on the slopes of Mauna Kea in Pi'ihonua, Hawaii, Kuana Bernard Kawaikahakīkīopi'ihonua Torres-Kahele arrived September 7th, 1978. He is the second of five children. For much of his life, Kuana was raised by his maternal grandmother, his hānai mother, Lulu Kelohilani Kahele. She remains the single greatest influence in his life. He was exposed to Hawaiian music at an early age and by the age of ten, he was on stage performing for local events and 'ohana gatherings.

During the late 1980's, Kuana was befriended by Alvin and Alberta Kalima, pioneers of the day in Hawaiian music. Shortly after he was introduced to Leonard Beck and Keali'i Joy, further igniting his enthusiasm and love for Hawaiian music. In 1991, Kahele was taken under the wing of renowned Kumu Hula and esteemed composer, Johnny Lum Ho. Lum Ho inspired Kahele's songwriting and provided him a crash course in Hawaiian music education when he made him a permanent musician for his Halau Ka Ua Kani Lehua. Kahele credits much of his current success to the mentorship and Aloha they all showed him at an early age.

Later, Kuana, joined by friend, Kēhau Tamuré, teamed with Akoni Malacas to create Akoni & Da Palapalai Patch. This endeavor would become Kahele's first introduction to the world of a professional recording artist. The partnership bore an album and a series of brief local performances. Before long Kahele and Tamuré exited to pursue what would become Na Palapalai.

In 1995, Nā Palapalai officially began with group members Kuana Torres Kahele, Kehau Tamure and Wailau Ryder. They achieved local popularity and were a hit in the local bar and pa'ina scene. By 1998, they were ready for a change which saw the entrance of O'ahu's Keao Costa. The trio of Kahele, Tamure and Costa would produce the first three Na Palapalai releases and shape the sound that so many have come to love.

Their debut release, Makani 'Olu'olu in 2003 swept that year's Na Hoku Hanohano awards and catapulted the once unknown bar band to meteoric success. The release topped the charts and made a lasting impression on the hula community. Kahele's original composition, "Ke Anu O Waimea" is, to this day, the most popular hula song in Japan. Na Palapalai quickly became one of the most in-demand Hawaiian groups traveling the international circuit. They followed their debut release with the extraordinary, Ke'Ala Beauty. This CD, which further cemented their position in the hula world also won several Na Hoku Hanohano awards and sent the band touring the US and Japan. The trio returned a third time from the studio with Ka Pua Hae Hawaii which again was met by positive reviews from fans and critics, alike. Costa left the trio to pursue a solo career rendering Tamure and Kahele a duo as they had begun so many years before. Excited at the chance to retrace their roots, the duo celebrated their 15th Anniversary as Na Palapalai and recorded the sensational, award winning Nanea. Hula dancers the world over cheered with the introduction of four new original compositions from the two. Kahele's, "Ka Nae Pakalana", a song inspired by his love for his nieces and nephews, became the favorite song of hula halau from Japan to Sacramento to Honolulu. NA PALAPALAI continues to this day, as strong as ever. New member Ioane Burns brings them back to a trio and is a contributor on the Fall 2011 CD singing and playing bass.

July 2, 2011 brings the debut solo release, KAUNALOA, from Kuana Torres Kahele. This collection of songs features 12 new, original compositions from the songwriter, an almost unheard of feat in contemporary Hawaiian music. As much a testament to his writing abilities as his vocal talents, this release is sure to dazzle the hula world and any fan of Hawaiian music.

KAUNALOA, meaning to persevere, is a journey through Kahele's life beginning with his first real attempt at songwriting, "Ke Anu O Waimea". How would he have ever known that as a sophomore at Hilo High School, hoping to write a song as a gift for his Mom, he would compose such a classic hula mele. Kahele has crafted this collection over fifteen years. Writing music and saving the best of his best, tucking it away for someday. With the release of this new CD, someday has come.

FROM KUANA: This album is about honoring a promise and persevering a dream. Kaunaloa. This collection of my new songs is for Lulu Kahele, "Ma". One of her biggest dreams was for me to achieve success in my music.
It brings me both great peace and a sense of pride to know how happy this would make her.
Mahalo to everybody for your support!