Kaniala made his mark as a solo artist when he took first place in the Kindy Sproat Falsetto competition, earning him the opportunity to record with Hula Records on a compilation album featuring falsetto winners from Hawaii. One of his songs was nominated for the prestigious Na Hoku Hanohano Awards, putting him in the league of Hawaii’s great artists.

For over a decade, he performed at Uncle Billy’s in Hilo, the town’s go-to venue for live music and hula shows at the time. It was here that he met his wife in 2006. The couple has since been blessed with six children, who are deeply rooted in their Hawaiian culture.

Kaniala and his wife manage the Cultural Center at the Kaanapali Beach Resort along with their children in Maui, and have opened three luaus in Hawaii—two on Maui and one on Oahu. Each luau tells a unique love story, with the Maui luau, called Hua Kai Luau, centered around their own romantic journey. In addition, they have served as ambassadors of Hawaii on cruises around the world and work closely with the Hawaii Visitors Bureau.

Musical accolades continued to pour in for Kaniala. He won Island Idol in 2018 and released his solo album, “Pa’a Mau,” in 2019, which also received multiple nominations for the Na Hoku Hanohano awards.

Aside from his music career, Kaniala is a wedding officiant and a luau performer on three Hawaiian islands. He is currently preparing to become a Kumu, further enhancing his role as a cultural ambassador. For Kaniala, music has not just been a career but the fulfillment of his dreams.

Just recently, he released his single Oh Lāhainā with daughter Tyra accompanying him.