Richard Kuakini “Piggy” Kaleohano, a musician and audio engineer who helped provide sound for the Merrie Monarch Festival, died Friday of kidney failure at Kaiser Moanalua Medical Center in Honolulu. He was 56.
Kaleohano, who was born in Hilo, played ukulele and sang in the Hawaiian band Da Blahlas of Keaukaha. They recorded three albums in the late 1970s and became popular statewide. The son of the late Sally Kaleohano, “Uncle Piggy” became synonymous with Keaukaha. His RK Audio Sound Co. provided sound for countless local events and Kaleohano continued to perform locally, including the Kamehameha Day celebration and Hilo Brewfest earlier this month.
“He had opportunities in Honolulu and on the mainland but he would never have left this place. That was not an option for him,” Missy Kaleohano, his wife of almost 35 years, said Tuesday.
She said her husband’s interest in audio engineering was sparked when Da Blahlas started to record.
“He was fascinated by the engineering side of it,” she said. “Fortunately, he was able to parlay that, and the performing, into an occupation that kept him close to his family.”
Clayton Kua, a bandmate in Da Blahlas, described Kaleohano as a selfless person who gave so much to the community.
“When the school needed something, boom, Piggy was there. Family needed something, boom, Piggy was there,” he said. “I think it’s a tremendous loss, not just because of the assets that he had but because of the person that he was.”
Kua also praised Kaleohano’s ability to “move people with his voice.”
“His falsetto was incredible and he was so humble about it. But for him, it was just like another day in the park,” he said.
Visitation is 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 6 at Kawananakoa Hall gym in Keaukaha, with funeral service at 11 a.m.
In addition to his wife, Kaleohano is survived by his daughter, Kasie Kaleohano; son, Richard Kuakini Kaleohano Jr.; brother, Smith Kaleohano; sisters, Jackie Baltero and Michelle Morishita; and two grandchildren.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.