Album Notes

Who knew four years ago that KO Kealaluhi would be an aspiring musician. In 1997 he was catching the winning touchdown for Brigham Young University in the Cotton Bowl. Football was in his sights then, but the strong desire for music made him give it all up.

KO was born and raised in Makawao, Maui. There, his mother pushed a life of entertainment. Entering him in talent competitions, singing competitions: she was a real advocate of KO the entertainer.

Life would have continued in Makawao had his father not pushed his football career. KO moved with his family to California in 1989 to finish his senior year of high school playing football at Rancho Buena Vista in San Diego.

Back and forth with different ideas of how life was going to play out, he returned to school at Grossmont Junior College in 1993. There he returned to his roots, football. That soon proved to be one of his greatest talents. He received a full scholarship to play for the Brigham Young University Cougars under the tutelage of the great LaVell Edwards.

After college he followed what he thought was his dream into the National Football League, playing for the Arizona Cardinals and the Indianapolis Colts. Yet something didn't seem right. There was something else calling to him...music.

He had sung all his life with his family. Karaoke was a family favorite. KO was the guy on the plane with the Uke and all the songs. His real dream soon became a reality singing with reggae bands like INI, one50one and Soul Shakedown.

Soon, KO was fortunate enough to meet Quino of Big Mountain, who recently released his hit solo album Mahalo. Quino, his mentor, guided him in the right direction. Producing and writing with KO they put together an album with a unique sound and original vibe. He had found his dream.

KO is releasing his first album in February 2002, This Is Who I Am. These songs are stories of his life...the journey of a proud paniolo boy.