In Memoriam: Keo Woolford

It is with great sadness that we create this page in tribute of Keo, beloved member of our ʻohana, teacher, and friend. His Hawaiian name Keomailani means “The calling or the answer from above” and was given to him by his teacher, kumu hula Robert Cazimero.

We hope that you will share your personal stories and memories of Keo. Please stay tuned for a New York gathering to celebrate his life.

Mahalo all for all your compassion and aloha. Our dear Keo passed this afternoon. I know this has shaken us all and that we are  deeply grieving his loss. Please take care of yourselves during this fragile time. Mahalo Veronique for setting up the photo link https://goo.gl/photos/qPhgSw8TJ4SdVZRY8  I remember Keo teaching us the "Water is Wide." It is heart breaking, but it reminds me of the kindness, the grace, the humor, the rigor, the joy, and tenderness he shared and embodied. My tears seem to have no end…


I  have prayed Na ‘Aumakua, realizing that Keo is now an ancestor and that he will guide us. His last text to me said, “sleep well and talk whenever u need. trust your naʻau”. Kumu has talked about listening, waiting for the hō’ailona, the signs that tell us that the ancestors and the akua hear us. We both saw signs that spoke to us of Keo’s passing. She saw this anuenue and I saw a single hoku. I am sure you will all see your own signs in the coming days and know that Keoʻs grace still blesses us. Trust your naʻau.

Naʻu me ke aloha menemene,
Roberta Uno
Hālāwai, Board of Directors

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RE: OFFICIAL STATEMENT: THE PASSING OF WRITER/DIRECTOR/ACTOR/KUMU HULA, KEO WOOLFORD

Aloha All-

It is with great sadness and a heavy heart to advise you of the passing of artist, Keo Woolford. The multi-hyphenate, multi-disciplinarian talent suffered a severe stroke on Friday, Nov. 25, 2016. He passed away this afternoon.

As a writer, director, actor, and newly appointed Kumu Hula of Kumu Hula Robert Cazimero’s Halau Na Kamalei o Lililehua, he is most known for his successful one-man show, “I-LAND,” which was the inspiration for his indie blockbuster, “The Haumana.” With a long career that has taken him to London as the King in “The King & I,” and around the world as a member of popular Hawaii boy-band, “Brownskin,” and everywhere else in between, he is a talent and extraordinary human being that will be missed.

We kindly ask to give the family their privacy.

If there are any questions, please contact me.

And for those who haven't had the chance to visit him, we will be here until 10:30 pm when hospital visiting hours end.

Mahalo nui loa,
Tracy Larrua
POI PLANET
PR/MarCom/Production