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A Tribute to Moe Keale 

His Family

 `Ike aku, `ike mai, kōkua aku kōkua mai; pela iho la ka nohona `ohana.
Recognize others, be recognized, help others, be helped; 
such is a family relationship.

Photo by Dennis Oda - Honolulu Star-Bulletin
Moe Keale, at home with his wife Carol and his only son,
Scott Nālani Keale


Moe Keale is survived by his wife Carol; son Scott Nālani Keale; sister Momi Mix; Ni`ihau `Ohana; hānai sisters Martha Noyes, Loke Lyu and Ka`uhane Lee; godson Kekoaokeko`olau Lyu; and nieces and nephews.

Moe & Carol, from Jerry Pickard's interview, jacklord.net:  A Love Story

"It is usually quite interesting to learn how couples meet, and the Keale's story is no exception. 

Carol had come from the Mainland in 1969, to study social sciences at the University of Hawai'i. A natural athlete, she joined a canoe club where one Sunday, a mutual friend suggested they take in a Sunday afternoon jam session which the renowned Sons of Hawaii would be attending. So they did. 

Carol and Moe caught each other's eyes early on. She recalls great awareness of the warmth and energy emanating from this mammoth man (he was over 450 pounds at the time), but could not see herself in the long term, becoming emotionally involved with anyone in the entertainment field.

Nonetheless, she kept showing up where the Sons were performing, and the hugs and kisses showed no signs of abating. After about a year or so, however, she and her best girlfriend decided that Master's degrees would be best pursued back in California. She went to Moe and informed him she was leaving. He said fine, but told her she'd be back within a couple months. This floored Carol she was adamant she had absolutely no intention of returning. Yet, he was right; two months later the Islands and more specifically the call of Keale, found her in Honolulu once again. 

Their dating began in earnest then. Carol, during our talk, said more than once that throughout their time together, they grew more in love every single day. They were truly blessed."

>> Presentation to Carol, Roy Sakuma's `Ukulele Festival, 2002


Moe's only son, Nālani, a kumu hula, "whose focus is on traditional hula rather than what most people see on television and at lū`au."

Nālani is the title holder of Mr. World Hula 1995 and 1996.  His hālau is called Hālau Kaulakahi Hawai`i.

Of Moe's numerous performing gigs, his last gigs with his son were his most intimate and endearing.

"Moe would introduce Nalani as a hālau," said entertainment booking agent Chriss Heyd. "It was kind of a joke ­ a one-man hālau."  

"The younger Keale talked to his father the day before while he was on a teaching mission in Japan. He was en route home, aboard a flight, when Moe Keale died." 

"He just exuded a lot of spirit and Aloha; he was my dad but my friend, my buddy, too. We cruised; we hanged out together." 

"I called him because I couldn't find a couple of chords to 'Pua Mae'ole,' a song I wanted to teach," Nalani Keale said. "He taught me how; he told me to play it in this particular chord. And I got it. It was awesome. It must've been midnight in Hawai'i at the time. And it was the last time I heard his voice."

Source: Honolulu Advertiser, 4/17/02, Mike Gordon and Wayne Harada

>> Photo of Nālani and Aloha Joe, 2000

>> Photo of Moe, Nālani and Aloha Joe, 2000

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Internet spelling:  Scott Nalani Keale

This is a not-for-profit, educational site, intended to serve as a repository of information about this Hawaiian man who graced our good earth as the Johnny Appleseed of Aloha.  Credits and attributions are cited as best as possible. All errors are inadvertent.  No harm is intended.  Just Aloha, as was Moe's intention. No hūhū.  If clarification is needed, please leave a message at moekeale2020TAKE THIS OUT@yahoo.com.  Remove the TAKE THIS OUT portion of the address before sending.  Mahalo.