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Hawaii entertainer Entertainer Moe Keale, whose career has spanned more than three decades in music and acting, died yesterday morning at Castle Medical Center.
Moe Keale dies at 62
His career included acting and singing
More obituariesBy Rosemarie Bernardo
rbernardo@starbulletin.comKeale's nephew Michael said: "He was definitely a person full of aloha. He will be missed.
"He would encourage us in the ways of music," said Michael, who plays in a Hawaiian-jazz group.
Keale, 62, was a multiple nominee, finalist and winner in many award categories in the Na Hoku Hanohano awards.
Keale was known for several decades as one of the islands' distinctive vocalists.
He was perhaps best known for his ukulele style as a member of the Sons of Hawaii.
Keale acted in the hit television series "Hawaii Five-O," in many roles including Truck Kealoha.
He appeared in many TV shows: "Sanford and Son." "Kung Fu." "Westwind to Hawai'i," "The Islander," "Pearl," Donny and Marie Osmonds' "Going Coconuts" and "Charlie's Angels."
Keale also was featured as a regular in the TV series: "Big Hawaii" and "McKenzies of Paradise Cove."
The respected kupuna had a near-fatal heart attack March 12, 2001, at a Windward Oahu gym.
A pacemaker/defibrillator was implanted in his chest. A five-hour angioplasty was performed after doctors discovered that one of the four main arteries to Keale's heart was completely blocked, and another was 50 percent closed.
In 1958, Keale and three others formed a group called the Four K's, playing their first engagement at the old Waikiki Tavern.
In 1964 he was with the famed Puka Puka Otea Tahitian Show at Queen's Surf.
It was through this friendship with Eddie Kamae that Keale became part of the Sons of Hawaii in 1969.
He recorded as a member of the Sons of Hawaii in 1970, and then with Anuenue, but fully emerged as a recording artist with the 1980 "South Sea Island Magic" album.
Keale shared his warmth and music for years with audiences in his weekly performances poolside at the Sheraton-Waikiki Hotel.