Genoa Leilani Adolpho's early years were full of moving about. She was born in 1918 in Kaka?ako in a stable. In her childhood her family moved about several occasions. Before she was ten years old she'd already lived on Kaua?i for several years and had moved back to Kaka?ako. By the time she was about 10 years old, her family had moved to La?ie.

This move to La?ie would help facilitate the phenomenal music career that would highlight her life. Aunty Genoa always loved to sing ever since she was a little girl. In La?ie she received her early musical training as a member of a local LDS Church choir. It was in choir that she built up her repertoire, knowledge and appreciation of music. She attended school until the 8th grade. She and her husband, the late Edward Puniwai Keawe-Aiko, whom she married in 1935, had twelve children.[1]

Keawe was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[3]