What's Happening in Kirkland, WA…

Kirkland will be the location of a special Christmas celebration soon.

A Hawaiian vocalist is coming to the Kirkland Performance Center, bringing an “aloha” to the holiday season, and sharing both Western music and that of Hawai’i.

Kalani Pe’a is known for his imposing presence, powerful voice, and entrancing style. He is a “kanaka—a native-born Hawaiian, who has four Grammy wins to his credit. The awards were for “E Walea, released in 2017, “No ʻAneʻi (2019), 2022’s “Kau Ka Peʻa, and “Kuini,” dropped in 2024. He has also received numerous other awards including five wins at the Hawaiian version of the Grammys, the Na Hoku Hanohano.

There are 11 tracks on the album, all of which were written or co-written by Pe’a. Guest artists on the album include Jake Shimabukuro, Michael Casil, the Kamehameha Schools Maui Hawaiian Ensemble, and others. The ensemble comprises about 45 students who share Hawaiian culture through dance and music. Their performances keep the Hawaiian language alive, which is one of Pe’a’s major interests.

Pe’a was born in Hilo and began singing when he was a child. He worked as a Hawaiian resource coordinator in the school district until 2017, when he left to perform full time. He cites big band music and jazz, his father’s favorites, as influences, along with Stevie Wonder and The Temptations.

Pe’a will appear at the Kirkland Performance Center on December 7. Concerts like this can benefit if organizers promote them using poster printing.