View source for Willie K

{{Short description|Hawaiian musician (1960–2020)}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Willie K
| image              = William "Willie K" Kahaiali'i.jpg
| caption            = Willie K performing on Maui
| birth_date         = {{birth date|1960|10|17|mf=y}}
| birth_place        = [[Lahaina, Hawaii|Lahaina]], [[Maui, Hawaii|Maui]], Hawaii, US
| birth_name         = William Awihilima Kahaiali'i
| death_date         = {{death date and given age|2020|5|18|59}}
| death_place        = [[Wailuku, Hawaii|Wailuku]], Maui, Hawaii, US
| occupation         = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter|musician|entertainer }}
| years_active       = 1970–2018
| awards             = [[Na Hoku Hanohano Award]]
| website            = {{URL|williek.com}}
| module             = {{Infobox musical artist|embed=yes  <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
| instrument         = {{hlist|Vocals|guitar|ukulele|}} <!--- If you think an instrument should be listed, a discussion to reach consensus is needed first per: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Infobox_musical_artist#instrument --->
| genre              = {{hlist|Hawaiian music|blues|rock|opera|cachi cachi}}
}}
}}
'''William Awihilima Kahaialiʻi''' (October 17, 1960 – May 18, 2020), known as '''Willie K''',<ref name="Lib">{{cite web
|url          = http://www.marinij.com/article/NO/20151203/FEATURES/151209946
|title        = Willie K, from Hawaiian Hendrix to Polynesian Pavarotti
|work         = Marin Independent Journal
|author       = Paul Liberatore
|date         = 2015-12-03
|accessdate   = 2016-04-09
|archive-date = 2016-04-20
|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20160420113131/http://www.marinij.com/article/NO/20151203/FEATURES/151209946
|url-status   = live
}}</ref> was a [[Native Hawaiians|Hawaiian]] musician who performed in a variety of styles, including [[blues]], [[Rock music|rock]], [[opera]] and [[Music of Hawaii|Hawaiian music]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brandle |first1=Lars |title=Willie K, Grammy-Nominated Hawaiian Artist, Dies at 59 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9386994/willie-k-obit |publisher=Billboard |accessdate=20 May 2020 |date=20 May 2020 |archive-date=23 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523180045/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9386994/willie-k-obit |url-status=live }}</ref>{{r|Lib}}
==Early life==
Born and raised in a family of musicians in [[Lahaina, Hawaii]], Willie began performing at the age of 8 alongside his father, Hawaiian jazz guitarist Manu Kahaialiʻi.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Campos |first1=Samantha |title=Who Is Willie K? |url=https://mauitime.com/culture/who-is-willie-k/ |website=MauiTime |accessdate=4 November 2019 |date=25 May 2006 |archive-date=4 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191104232703/https://mauitime.com/culture/who-is-willie-k/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="lahainanews">{{cite news | title=Hawaii mourns the loss of amazingly talented musician William Awihilima Kahaiali'i | newspaper=lahainanews.com | date=May 28, 2020 | url=https://www.lahainanews.com/news/local-news/2020/05/28/hawaii-mourns-the-loss-of-amazingly-talented-musician-william-awihilima-kahaiali-i/ | access-date=August 14, 2023}}</ref>
==Career==
In 1993, Willie began a collaboration with [[Amy Hānaialiʻi Gilliom]] that would last for nine years. The pair recorded, performed, and toured together, and also shared a personal relationship.<ref>{{cite web
|url          = http://www.frolichawaii.com/stories/amy-hanaialii-willie-k-are-reunited/
|title        = Amy Hanaialiʻi and Willie K are reunited
|author       = Olena Heu and Melissa Chang
|website      = Frolichawaii.com
|date         = 2014-10-26
|accessdate   = 2016-04-09
|archive-date = 2014-10-18
|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20141018152808/http://www.frolichawaii.com/stories/amy-hanaialii-willie-k-are-reunited/
|url-status   = live
}}</ref> Their recordings won seven [[Na Hoku Hanohano Awards]], part of Willie's total of 19 Hokus as a musician and producer.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Awards|url=https://williek.com/awards/|website=Willie K Hawaiian Music Maui Live Music Maui Entertainment|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-27|archive-date=2019-06-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190624200842/https://williek.com/awards/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Schweizer |first1=Laura |title=Willie K. shares his healing process, citing the 'power of prayer' |url=https://www.kitv.com/story/40241252/willie-k-shares-his-healing-process-citing-the-power-of-prayer |publisher=KITV |accessdate=4 November 2019 |date=2 April 2019 |archive-date=3 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403044207/https://www.kitv.com/story/40241252/willie-k-shares-his-healing-process-citing-the-power-of-prayer |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2005, Willie's reunion album with Gilliom, ''Amy & Willie Live'', was nominated for a [[Grammy Award|Grammy]] in the first year of the [[Grammy Award for Best Hawaiian Music Album|Best Hawaiian Music Album]] award.<ref>{{cite web
|url          = http://archives.starbulletin.com/2007/06/21/news/story02.html
|title        = Hawaiian Music Makes Its Grammy Debut
|author       = Wilma Consul
|website      = Archives.starbulletin.com
|date         = 2005-02-11
|accessdate   = 2016-04-09
|archive-date = 2009-02-10
|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20090210143411/http://archives.starbulletin.com/2007/06/21/news/story02.html
|url-status   = live
}}</ref>
In 2007, Willie K became one of very few artists to win a Hoku as part of three different acts – his collaboration with Eric Gilliom called "Barefoot Natives" won Best Contemporary Hawaiian Album, in addition to wins already achieved with Amy and as a solo artist.<ref>{{cite web
|url          = https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4492881
|title        = Na Hoku honors Gilliom, Kaukahi
|author       = John Berger
|website      = Npr.org
|date         = 2007-06-21
|accessdate   = 2016-04-09
|archive-date = 2005-02-14
|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20050214104606/https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4492881
|url-status   = live
}}</ref>
== Genres ==
Willie K played many different genres of music including Hawaiian music, blues, rock, opera, and [[Cachi Cachi music]].<ref name="Willie K">{{cite web | title=Mayor Proclaims "Willie K Month" in June | date=May 31, 2021 | url=https://mauinow.com/2021/05/31/mayor-proclaims-willie-k-month-in-june/ | access-date=June 23, 2023}}</ref><ref name="hawaiinewsnow">{{cite web | title=McKenna Maduli presents 'A Talk Story Kalikimaka' featuring Amy Hanaiali 'i sharing her memories of the Island Music Island Hearts 1998 Christmas Special with Willie K | website=hawaiinewsnow| date=December 15, 2020 | url=https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2020/12/15/mckenna-maduli-presents-talk-story-kalikimaka-featuring-amy-hanaiali-i-sharing-her-memories-island-music-island-hearts-christmas-special-with-willie-k/ | access-date=June 23, 2023}}</ref>
==Cancer and death==
In February 2018, Willie K was diagnosed with [[lung cancer]] and promptly canceled upcoming performances in [[Honolulu]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/37422426/willie-k-diagnosed-with-lung-cancer-cancels-performances|title=Willie K diagnosed with lung cancer, cancels performances|publisher=Hawaii News Now|date=February 5, 2018|accessdate=February 20, 2018|archive-date=February 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180204085206/http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/37422426/willie-k-diagnosed-with-lung-cancer-cancels-performances|url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2019, Willie announced via his [[Facebook]] page that he was undergoing [[immunotherapy]].{{r|:0}}
In January 2020, in a video posted to Facebook, Willie announced that his cancer was at the terminal stage. He made the video after a concert at ''Blue Note Hawaii'' in [[Waikiki]]. He stated that his "spirits remained high during the concert," which was supposed to be only a 90-minute set, but lasted for two hours. "The crowd deserved it," he said.<ref name=ancheta_01302020>{{cite news|last=Ancheta|first=Dillon|title=Musician Willie K. announces his cancer is terminal, but says he'll keep 'rocking on'|date=January 30, 2020|website=HawaiiNewsNow.com|url=https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2020/01/31/praise-jesus-he-will-always-take-care-you-musician-willie-k-says-his-cancer-is-terminal/|accessdate=May 28, 2020|quote=What I said earlier about stages of my cancer, yes I'm at terminal now and I'm still going to be rocking on. I'm not going to stop. This cancer is not going to take me down — especially with all your blessings, from you, each and everyone of you, Praise God, praise Jesus, he will always take care of you.|archive-date=May 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200528074327/https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2020/01/31/praise-jesus-he-will-always-take-care-you-musician-willie-k-says-his-cancer-is-terminal/|url-status=live}}</ref>
Willie K died at age 59 on May 18, 2020.<ref name=ancheta_05192020>{{cite news|last=Ancheta|first=Dillon|title=Hawaiian music legend Willie K dies after lengthy battle lung cancer battle|date=May 19, 2020|website=HawaiiNewsNow.com|url=https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2020/05/19/hawaiian-music-legend-willie-k-dies-after-lengthy-battle-lung-cancer-battle/|accessdate=May 19, 2020|quote=According to his wife, he died peacefully late Monday night after enduring a lengthy battle with lung cancer. He was 59 years old.|archive-date=May 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200526020742/https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2020/05/19/hawaiian-music-legend-willie-k-dies-after-lengthy-battle-lung-cancer-battle/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kitv.com/story/41732071/hawaiian-music-icon-willie-k-has-passed-away|title=Hawaiian music icon Willie K has passed away|website=Kitv.com|accessdate=2020-05-19|archive-date=2020-05-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523180100/https://www.kitv.com/story/41732071/hawaiian-music-icon-willie-k-has-passed-away|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9386994/willie-k-obit |title=Willie K, Grammy-Nominated Hawaiian Artist, Dies at 59 |author=Lars Brandle |website=billboard.com |date=2020-05-20 |accessdate=2020-05-28 |archive-date=2020-05-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523180045/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9386994/willie-k-obit |url-status=live }}</ref>
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
== External links ==
*[http://williek.com/ Official site]
* {{Discogs artist|Willie K}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kahaialii, William Awihilima}}
[[Category:1960 births]]
[[Category:2020 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Lahaina, Hawaii]]
[[Category:Mountain Apple Company artists]]
[[Category:Singers from Hawaii]]
[[Category:Native Hawaiian people]]
[[Category:Na Hoku Hanohano Award winners]]
[[Category:Deaths from lung cancer in Hawaii]]
[[Category:Native Hawaiian musicians]]