The strumming of 'ukulele, sweet high notes and upbeat tempos filled the chapel at Borthwick Mortuary yesterday as thousands of family, friends and fans gathered to remember Aunty Genoa Leilani Keawe in a way she would have undoubtedly approved — with the Hawaiian music she loved.

More than 5,000 people paid their respects during the four-hour visitation, and at least 1,000 packed into the Chinatown chapel and two overflow viewing rooms for a tribute to Keawe, punctuated by songs and hula performed by her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews along with noted Hawaiian talents.

Two of Keawe's sons delivered her eulogy, sharing their memories of a woman able to raise 12 children while fostering a career as a Hawaiian music icon.

"Our mother was a lady of strength," son Eric Keawe said. "Her light will always shine in all of us."

Oldest son Gary Keawe-Aiko told attendees that he grew up with music, and was taught at a young age to appreciate Hawaiian culture. He said in grade school, when he was more interested in singing pop songs, Keawe told him, " 'You have to learn Hawaiian.' I said, 'Why?' She said, 'Because you're Hawaiian.' "

Keawe-Aiko ended his eulogy with: "Aloha, Mom. I love you."

Keawe died Feb. 25 at 89, leaving behind a legacy as a master of Hawaiian music, and as a force for preserving that music and the Hawaiian culture she feared would die out. Keawe, who learned to love singing and playing as a child singing with the Mormon choir in La'ie, was a fixture on Hawai'i radio, TV and in nightclubs.

She was perhaps best known for carrying a long, high note in the well-loved song "Alika."

Among those who attended the service for Keawe were dozens of Hawaiian musicians, kumu hula and cultural practitioners, along with more than a few fans and countless dignitaries and community leaders, including state Sen. Kalani English and Mayor Mufi Hannemann. The turnout created something of a gridlock on Vineyard Boulevard, and quickly filled up the lot at Borthwick with overflow filling up street parking.

Eric Keawe said his mother would have been humbled by the show of love.

"People are coming from all over the state and country just to be here," he said.

Keawe, dressed in a white mu'umu'u in an open casket draped with 'ilima lei, was remembered by many yesterday not only as a Hawaiian music legend with a trademark falsetto, but as a remarkable ambassador for the Hawaiian culture who believed passionately in preserving Hawaiian music and language for the next generation.

"Hawaiian music is more alive than it's ever been," said Amanda Pomaika'i Keawe Lyman, Keawe's granddaughter, before the service yesterday. "She was one of the people who helped to keep it that way."

Inside the chapel, the line to view Keawe and share condolences with her three surviving sons grew long shortly after the doors opened and snaked out the door by early afternoon.

By 3 p.m., more than 2,500 people had paid their respects. During the visitation, dozens of Hawaiian musicians performed, including Keawe's longtime friend Kealoha Kalama Cabral and younger groups, such as Na Palapalai.

At 4 p.m., the Royal Order of Kamehameha I bestowed a rare tribute on Keawe: they sang their anthem and saluted her. The honor is usually only given to members of the order.

Next to Keawe's casket, large photos of her were put on easels and draped with lei.

And one of her favorite flowers — roses — dotted the more than 20 wreaths in the chapel.

An arrangement of roses was also placed on her casket.

During the one-hour service for Keawe, only her family members spoke or sang.

The service, Eric Keawe said, was an opportunity for her family to share the Aunty Genoa they knew with others.

"Tutu has shown us how to be very giving," Keawe's grandson Rory Lono told attendees to the service. "She shared her love and her talent and music with many, many people, many of whom are here and who have come to honor her." Lono delivered the invocation during the service, and Bishop Harold M.T. Chock Jr. led a prayer.

Keawe will be buried today, after a second visitation.

About 200 family members also attended a private service yesterday morning for Keawe.

More than anything, attendees said, Keawe should be remembered as someone adamant about preserving Hawaiian music. Just as she passed it on to her children and grandchildren, she wanted others to do the same. And her music, many said, has inspired so many great Hawaiian artists, including musicians and kumu hula.

"She was a mentor," said Kehau Tamure, singer for Na Palapalai.

Member Puka Asing said he learned from Keawe that "it's not just singing Hawaiian music, it's living it."

He added, "And she lived by example."

Jacqueline Rossetti, an Internet radio personality and longtime expert on Hawaiian music and culture, said Keawe helped make sure Hawaiian music and culture remains vibrant and strong. "Most of the folks have come here (the visitation) to share their aloha and love for Aunty," she said. "She is still the first lady of Hawai'i."

Kumu hula Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewett added that Keawe left an example for everyone to live up to.

"She was already ready to go and do anything," he said, with a laugh.

Outside the chapel yesterday afternoon, renowned kumu hula George Naope dabbed his eyes.

He said the world won't be quite the same without Aunty Genoa's melodious falsetto.

"She gave us no gold, no charms," he said. "She gave us her golden voice."

And though Keawe has been silenced, her music will live on, singer Cabral said.

Not only in her recordings, she added, but in the music of others. Cabral, who met Keawe in the 1950s and recorded on Keawe's label, performed at the visitation, singing "Kalamaula," one of Keawe's favorite songs.

Keawe outlived nine of her 12 children. She is survived by three sons, Gary P. Keawe-Aiko, Eli Kaeo Paalua and Eric K. Keawe; 40 grandchildren; 98 great-grandchildren; and 81 great-great-grandchildren.

Reach Mary Vorsino at mvorsino@honoluluadvertiser.com.