Hawaiian musician Kalani Pe'a flew in for his first Provo performance at the Covey Center for the Arts.
"It's going to be a Hawaiian contemporary soul type evening because I'm going to do some Motown hits from my albums, even spoken in Hawaiian, done in Hawaiian language," Pe'a said.
This was Pe'a's third performance in Utah.
"I know Kalani Pe'a because I went to his concert, not this last December but the December before," Tessa Ah Mu, a fan of Pe'a's music, said.
Pe'a's Hawaiian-based music is fueled by his personality and cultural influence, celebrating a decade within the music industry.
"It's not about the entertainment, and it's not only about the lyrical arrangement and movement and the type of music I'm singing. It's making that personal connection with the audience," Pe'a said.
Pe'a strives to make personal connections with his audiences; he also has proud familial and cultural connections to Utah's community.
"Growing up as part Polynesian, I think that there is honestly a great collection of Polynesian people who live here in Utah. So, being able to have an artist come visit us here. I think that that's great that he does that," Ah Mu said.
The general manager for the Covey Center for the Arts, Stephen Pullen, shared his thoughts on Pe'a's impact on Provo's community.
"Utah County has a very large Polynesian community. But it's not restricted to that community at all. His music is very popular among all people of all backgrounds," Pullen said.
When Pe'a arrived in Provo, the Covey Center for the Arts completely sold out for the debut performance at this home away from home.
"I would like to share my memories about my family and their connection to Utah. I'm just grateful to be there. I'm so grateful," Pe'a said.
Kalani Pe'a's music is available on all major streaming platforms and on his website.
This video story contains footage of Pe'a's performance at the Covey Center for the Arts, featuring performances by Pua Pe'a and Kehaulani Hula.