By Yhazi Graham

Slam Poetry is a verbal expression that splices unique words into varying tonal patterns, describing feelings, memories, stories, moralities and more. O‘ahu has the largest registered slam poetry competition in the world, where anyone is welcome to listen or share a poem. The catalyst for this event is a humble, intelligent man named Kealoha. He is the founder of Hawai‘i Slam, Youth Speaks Hawai‘i, and First Thursdays.

Kealohapau‘ole, his full name, translates to “the never ending love.”  He was born and raised on the south shore of O‘ahu. After graduating from MIT with a degree in nuclear engineering, he pursued a career as a business consultant in San Francisco. It was there he attended his first poetry slam event. Kealoha was drawn to the art form immediately and thought that poetry exemplified his natural thought patterns. “I am trained to be an engineer. I like structure and structure is the essence of good storytelling,” he says.

Newly inspired by the spoken word, he returned to O‘ahu to redefine his path. He surfed twice a day and hiked in between sessions. “My best writing comes from walking or paddling out. Surfing is both my morning jog and my church,” explains the humble soul. “My personal religion is the scientific method and I love studying our environment. If you are a true surfer, you are that much closer to nature.” Kealoha even takes advantage of lulls between sets to practice his poems.

Kealoha wrote for a year and then performed his first poem in 2002.  Soon after, he felt naturally inclined to work in the community. Since then, Kealoha has guest lectured at more than 100 schools, libraries, prisons and community centers. He is ranked eighth out of 350 of the world’s best poets from the 2007 National Poetry Slam and will be bringing another team to the event for the fifth year in a row.

Poetry is his primary focus, but it has continued to open artistic doors. He is the poetic vocalist featured in Henry Kapono’s “Wild Hawaiian” project, which was nominated for a Grammy. Kealoha has made dozens of television appearances, including the state of Hawai‘i’s “Can’t fool the youth” anti-smoking campaign, a spot he wrote, performed and co-directed.  He has performed with many well-renowned artists such as Makana, Jack Johnson and Ben Harper.

Kealoha wants to keep growing and expanding as an artist and his recent endeavors are focused on more international touring and working with television and film. But all busy schedule need to be balance with down time and Kealoha plans on spending some time around the house, planting a few trees in the yard and decorating the deck of his brand new fish. According to Kealoha, “It’s about making conscious decisions all along the way.”

Kealohapoetry.com
Hawaiislam.com
Myspace.com/kealohapoetry




Soul Surfing

Slip-sliding
Steady gliding confiding
In the energy of the sea
I be steadily readily gliding free
Soul surfing
Slurping in ocean
Notions of bottom turn motions
Momentum shifting, glistening, throwing spray
Staying steady ready to carve large cut backs
Attacks at white water
Martyrs of freedom
Knees down crouched, pounced, announced with a CHEEE-HEE
I be steadily readily gliding free
Soul surfing
Curtains so hollow following hiding me
Enveloping tubes dudes watching me chicks smiling free
I be steadily readily gliding free
Soul surfing
Surfing for my soul
Bowls closing in within the moment
Mind focused on nothing but what’s in front of me
Gravity’s relationship this expressive moment exposing ego
Ocean so powerful I’m humbled
Tumbled in foam
Roaming the bottomless sea searching, fumbling, struggling for air
Not knowing where up is
This is so worth it
For that one moment
When I can be steadily readily gliding free
Soul surfing with purpose
Soul surfing with purpose
Soul surfing
Soul surfing
Soul surfing

2003 Kealoha