HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – In this episode of “Upfront with Guy Hagi,” local entertainment legend Kimo Kahoano joins Guy to talk story about his decades-long career, from fire knife dancing in Waikiki to his iconic role as the voice of the Merrie Monarch Festival.
Kahoano, who calls himself “the biggest fan of Guy Hagi,” says this chapter of his life is all about focusing on what truly matters.
“Now I get to look at, you know, hey, what is important, what’s good,” he said, adding that he’s still getting national exposure through commercial work and auditions for new projects.
Over the years, Kahoano has appeared on both the original “Hawaii Five-0” and the reboot — something he doesn’t take for granted.
“I did them both. I was so lucky to be with both crews and to watch what they’re doing,” he said. “The whole key was like, whatever you do, just be with them and ride the wave, Kimo.”
Before TV and film, Kahoano made his name as a young fire knife dancer and Waikiki entertainer. He credits his teacher, Walter Moakini, for opening the door to opportunities abroad.
“Walter said, ‘Hey, Kimo, we’re going to go back to Japan. You want to go with us?’ I said, ‘Sure,’” Kahoano recalled. “When I came back, Don Ho’s at Duke’s, the Ali‘i’s…” — a reference to the iconic nightlife and entertainment era along Waikiki Beach.
Through it all, Kahoano says the real foundation of his career has been the spirit of aloha.
“If we bring it up to date right now, I want to send aloha to people all over the world,” he said. “This is a place where no matter where you’re from, you can relax, you can feel free, and you can share with other people no matter who they are. It’s all aloha.”
That same aloha is at the heart of his long-running association with the Merrie Monarch Festival, where his “golden pipes” have become instantly recognizable to hula fans worldwide.
Kahoano says the relationship began with a phone call back in 1980 from festival director Dottie Thompson.
“‘Hello, Kimo. It’s Auntie Dottie from Merrie Monarch. You like come do Merrie Monarch for one year?’” he remembered with a laugh. “I said, ‘Oh, yes, ma’am.’”
His role? Emcee — and, more importantly, a chance to give back.
“To have that opportunity to give back at Merrie Monarch was… wow, brother. Wow,” he said.
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