Kenny was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaiʻi. Kahu Makuakāne comes from a long line of Kahu (pastors). His great-great-great grandfather was Rev. Daniel Makuakāne who served as the pastor of ʻOpihikao Congregational Church from 1865 to 1873 and at Kalapana in 1877. He was described as the "kanaka kahu hipa o ke kuahiwi" or "the Shepard of the hills" and was renown for his humility and piety. His great grand uncle, Rev. William Kamau also served ʻOpihikao Church as well as others, and served at Kawaiahaʻo Church 1934 to 1940. His parents are the Reverend John and Reverend Violet Makuakāne--both of whom served ʻOpihikao Congregational Church 1987 to 2010.  His uncle, Rev. William Kaina served churches around the islands and served at Kawaiahaʻo Church 1984 to 1997.  His cousin, Kahu Curtis Kekuna served at Kawaiahaʻo Church 2004 to 2017. 

In 2010, Kahu Makuakāne answered the call to authorized ministry and began working at the Hawaiʻi Conference of the United Church of Christ, first as an Associate for Church Vitality, then as an Associate Conference Minister and the Papa Makua (the head minister) for the Association of Hawaiian Evangelical Churches. On May 5, 2018, Kahu Kenneth Makuakāne was ordained and installed by Kawaiahaʻo Church as its twelfth pastor.

Before his ordination, Kahu Kenneth Makuakāne was (and is) a successful singer, song writer and producer. According to his biography posted by Kamehameha Schools: Kenneth is recognized as a successful innovator in producing and recording Hawaiian music. He has over one hundred albums to his producing credits, working with artists such as Na Leo, Hapa, Amy Hānaiali‘i Gilliom, Raiatea Helm, Obrian Eselu and Jeff Rasmussen.

A prolific songwriter, Kenneth's compositions have been recorded by local artists, as well as international artists. His songs have even been performed many times over at the annual Merrie Monarch Hula Festival. He produced a track on Kenny Loggins 2000 CD release More Songs from Pooh Corner. And his music has been on the soundtrack of major films like "Honeymoon In Las Vegas" and "Parent Trap In Paradise." He has received a total of eighteen (18) Na Hoku Hanohano Awards, the Hawaii equivalent of the Grammy Awards. Makuakane won Song of the Year honors in 2000 for his hit composition, I Miss You, My Hawai‘i. He has been recognized in the National Registry of Who's Who.

Kenneth Makuakāne is recognized as the producer of producers of Hawaiian music.  He has recorded many groups, including Nā Leo Pilimehana, HAPA, Amy Hānaiali’i Gilliom, Obrian Eselu, Raiatea Helm and the Pandanus Club. To date, Kenneth has produced over two hundred albums, many of which have become successful albums for their record companies.

As a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, Makuakāne has been on hundreds of recording projects. He has produced many hallmark albums for the prestigious educational institution Kamehameha Schools; the historical Baibala Hemolele project which created an audio library of the first written document in Hawaiian language back in 1839; and the groundbreaking Disney CD music project where he was chosen to produce the hit Disney classics such as “When You Wish Upon A Star”, “Theme from Pochahontas” and others with a Hawaiian music bed, translated and sung in the Hawaiian language.

A prolific songwriter of over one thousand five hundred songs, Kenneth’s compositions have been recorded by local artists like the Brothers Cazimero, Nā Leo Pilimehana, Kapena, the Pandanus Club, Amy Hānaiali‘i Gilliom, Loyal Garner and Gary Haleamau, as well as international artists from Japan like Yuri Chika and Yuki Miyamae.

His songs have even been performed many times over at the annual Merrie Monarch Hula Festival, Hawai‘i’s Olympics of Hula.  His music has been on major films like “Honeymoon In Las Vegas”, “Ka‘iulani” and “Parent Trap In Paradise.”

Kenneth Makuakāne has received more than one hundred and eighty nominations and garnered a total of 21 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards, the Hawaii equivalent of the Grammy Awards, including Producer of the Year, Song of the Year, Group of the Year, Religious Album of the Year, and Hawaiian Album of the Year.  Makuakāne is the recent recipient of the prestigious Hawaiʻi Academy of Recording Arts 2015 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Lifetime Achievement Awards. He also won six Big Island Music Awards.  He has been recognized in the National Registry of Who’s Who.

AWARDS​

2021 Religious Album of the Year – Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards, Kenneth Makuakāne – “Nā Halelū”

2020 Instrumental Album of the Year – Nā Hōkū Awards, Kenneth Makuakāne – “Kauaheahe”

2020 Hawaiian EP of the Year – Nā Hōkū Awards, Kenneth Makuakāne – “Hiki Mai E Ka Lā”

2019 Religious Album of the Year – Nā Hōkū Awards, Kenneth Makuakāne – “Nā Mele Pule”
2018 Religious Album of the Year – Nā Hōkū Awards, Kenneth Makuakāne – “Simply For Ke Akua”
2017 Producerʻs Award – Compilation Album – Nā Hōkū Awards, Disney – Mele from Auntieʻs Beach House, Aulani
2015 Lifetime Achievement Award – Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award
2012 Kamehameha Schools 125th Anniversary Song Contest – co-wrote the winning composition for senior women
2012 Producer’s Award – Anthology Album – Nā Hōkū Awards – Pandanus Club – Kekumuwai
2007 Producers’ Award – Compilation Album – Nā Hōkū Awards, Hōkūle’a – “The Legacy”
2006 Inducted into the Kamehameha Schools Alumni Hall of Fame Gallery
2004 Producers’ Award – Compilation Album – Nā Hōkū Awards, Kamehameha School – “I Mua E Nā Poki‘i” ʻ
2001 Producers’ Award – Album of the Year – Nā Hōkū Awards, Nā Leo – “A Pocketful of Paradise”
2000 Producers’ Award – Anthology Album – Nā Hōkū Awards, Nā Leo – “Anthology II”
2000 Song of the Year “I Miss You My Hawai‘i” – Nā Hōkū Award, Nā Leo – “I Miss You My Hawai‘i”
1999 Producers’ Award – Compilation Album – Nā Hōkū Awards, Life Foundation – “Lifesongs”
1999 Inducted into National Registry of Who’s Who
1997 Producers’ Award – Anthology Album – Nā Hōkū Awards, Nā Leo – “Anthology I”
1996 Producers’ Award – Album of the Year – Nā Hōkū Awards, Nā Leo – “Flying With Angels”
1992 Religious Album of the Year – Nā Hōkū Awards, Kenneth Makuakāne – “Conversations With My Heart”
1990 Producer of the Year – Nā Hōkū Awards, Pandanus Club –“Hō‘ike”
1990 Group of the Year – Nā Hōkū Awards, Pandanus Club –“Hō‘ike”
1990 Album of the Year – Nā Hōkū Awards, Pandanus Club –“Hō‘ike”
1990 Traditional Hawaiian Album of the Year – Nā Hōkū Awards, Pandanus Club –“Hō‘ike”
1990 Composer of the Year – Kamehameha Schools Award
1987 Kamehameha Schools Centennial Song Contest – co-wrote the winning composition for senior coed