Leo Aloha (voice of love) performing at Federal Way's Pac Island Grill.
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Stan Medeiros is from Maui, Hawaii and has played in the Pacific Northwest since 1976. He is the groups music arranger, "sound man," and lead guitar player. Known as Uncle Stan, he has played with several popular local bands in Tacoma, and has played with many well-known musicians through the years. Stan plays guitar, ukulele, bass, and does vocals.
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Nona Alo is from Wahiawa, Hawaii and has been singing and dancing in the Pacific Northwest for over 25 years. She performed with the Leilehua High Madrigals and competed and won the "overall title" in the 1985 Pacific Northwest Hula Competition as a dancer and singer. Nona also sang lead vocals in recent Northwest Competitions with Na Hanu O' Kuuleialoha. She is also a Kumu Hula and assist in arrangments with the Leo Aloha Dancer's. Nona does lead vocals, and plays ukulele with a few sultry songs in her reptoire. Nona has also performed in Hawaii, California, and Canada.
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Anela Tandal is the daughter of Nona, and the wife of bass player Nakaniela Tandal. Entertaining since elementary school, Anela's passion was playing music. She started dancing after high school and hasn't looked back. Talented with percussions, brass & string instruments, she began learning Tahitian Drumming from Master Drummer Van Fransico, and then from her father-in-law Kalani Tandal. She sang along with her Mother in many Hula Competition's and now sings with Leo Aloha. Anela play's ukulele, tahitian drums, bass, guitar, & vocals. She also just gave birth to a strong baby boy on 8/5/07, Kuhio Tandal.
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Nakaniela Tandal is the husband of Anela and has performed for many years with the Children Of Polynesia. Talented as a dancer, Nakaniela also play's hawaiian slack key along with wife Anela. A talented wood carver, Nakaniela play's ukulele, tahitian drums, guitar, bass and vocals.
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Greg Taufa'asau is from Aiea, Hawaii and has been singing and dancing in the Pacific Northwest since 1979. He has competed in Hawaiian and Samoan Competitions. Under the Late Kumu's Darryl Lupenui and John Kaimikaua Jr, Greg danced with Halau Hula O'Kukuna Oka'La. In Samoan Song/Dance Competitions Greg performed under cousin Kumu Obrian Eselu (Na Wai Eha Opuna) as well as the Aiea High Swinging Singers. In 1980-82, Greg played & sang with the Late Dennis Pavao (Hui Ohana). Won the Pacific Norhwest "Mr Hula" title in 1986, & Fire-Dancer for over 23 years. Received his Kumu Hula Certification in 1982 from Leionie Rendall of Halau Hula Kamakahiwaokalani. Greg is a chanter, plays rhythm guitar, ukulele, both Tahitian & Samoan drums, and does vocals.
NORTHWEST HAWAI'I TIMES
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April 2007
Holoholo……….
I heard about “LeoAloha”, a new music group playing around town so decided to go hear them at the Pac Island Grill in the SeaTac Mall complex in Federal Way, WA. Nona Alo, the lead wahine singer for the group has long been one of my favorite singers with her deep, velvety voice somewhat reminiscent of legendary singer Haunani Kahalewai’s…Greg Taufa`asau (singer/guitarist) is leader of the gang while Maui guy Stan Medeiros (uke/guitar), and wife and husband duo Anelalani (singer/uke) and Nakaniela (bass)Tandal round out the group. “LeoAloha” has a real nice, soft, mellow, easy to listen to sound! Go see them if you get a chance. I see lots of Hawaiian and Tahitian dances but not a lot of Samoan dances so it was a bonus to watch Greg’s daughter Kalani Taufa`asau do one (auwe, she was so graceful) Another plus was catching Ray Bariquit (Farrington ’49) playing the guitar and ukulele (da guy one old guy like me but he can really strum that uke/guitar!). Ray is father of Leianna Landon and Raeleen Smith who with their husbands David Landon and Jim Smith are co-owners of the Pac Island Grill…they have live Hawaiian music every Friday evening…fun place so stop by
Gotta hele on…..until next time, a hui hou e malama pono………Danny
Copyright © 2004-2007 by Northwest Hawai`i Times
All Rights Reserved
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Kalani (L.to R.) Kehaulani, & Jeannine
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OUR DANCERS
All three have performed for many years around the Pacific Northwest including Northwest Folklife, and Bumper Shoot. They are a trio of Great Talent, Years of Experience, and a Passion to Entertain. They perform Dances from the Islands of Hawaii, Samoa, New Zealand, and Tahiti.
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The Daughter of Greg, Kalani has performed with the Children of Polynesia, Tahiti Nui, and competed in Uncle George Naope's Northwest Hula Competition winning first place in Hula Auwana & Kahiko with Na Hanu O' Ku'uleialoha in 2004.
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Kehaulani is the daughter of Nona, has performed and competed in the Northwest Hula Competition back in 1986 with Hula Halau O' Napualani. Kehaulani also danced with Southwest C.C. Polynesian Dancers, and Children Of Polynesia.
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Jeannine comes to us with more than seven years with Tahiti Nui as their lead dancer. She has also performed a Tongan Dance for the Tongan Royal Family who had visited Seattle back in 2003.
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