• Home
  • Bio
  • Music
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Store
  • Contact

Danny &amp; Nicholas Kaleikini&nbsp;<br><br>

  • Home
  • Bio
  • Music
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Store
  • Contact
Our Story

 

The spirit of aloha and the love of this magical island is held dearly within this musically inspired family. Danny Kaleikini, also known as "Kaniela,"  has been entertaining audiences from around the world for over 40 years and is most commonly known for his long-standing residency at the Kahala Hilton, a stint that ran for 30 years. He was the opening act for Paul Anka and has performed alongside Sammy Davis Jr., Wayne Newton, Dolly Parton, McGuire Sisters, and Don Ho. 

While growing up in Papakolea in Honolulu, Hawai‘i, he learned to sing and perform at jam sessions after a day's work shining shoes in Chinatown.  He began his career at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, learning from legendary musicians Hilo Hattie, Alfred Apaka, and Ray Kinney, that eventually led to a seven-day a week show at the luxurious Kahala Hilton, the first successful show outside the boundaries of the famous Waikiki Beach.  He is also the president of the Danny Kaleikini Foudation, a non-profit organization established in 1983 to help local organizations provide service to Hawai'i's people.  Its State of Hawaii charter authorizes operation for charitable, educational, scientific, religious, and medical purposes.  Over $400,000 has been given in donations

Nicholas, grandson of Kaniela, is a classically trained musician and producer/engineer at Lana Lane Studios.  He played clarinet in his early years that developed into a lifelong love of the saxophone and piano. He is the Director of the POW! WOW! School of Music, a two-week-long music intensive program for local youth. Students are selected by a panel of mentors and taught a series of creative modules including jingle composing, songwriting, industry standards, producing, and medley collaborations. At the end of the two-week program, the students perform original music in front of an audience of thousands at the POW! WOW! Hawai‘i Finale Block Party. As a result of aiming to expand this beneficial program across the globe, Nicholas has launched the School of Music in Long Beach, Austin, (SXSW), and most recently Tokyo.

Nicholas currently performs and tours with internationally acclaimed Japanese emcee Shing02.  He also performs with The Willards, Chalin Shadowboxing (formerly of JUCE!), and is currently working on a solo project under the alias SaxWillard.

With the release of Aloooha, keiki (children), makua (parents), and kupuna (elders) alike will come together to share the connection of music and aloha. We also give our mahalo to our ‘ohana for the years of love and support. Mahalo Keikilani, Popo, Tara, Mel, Susan, and Koa.
.

  • Log out