Lena Kaulumau Wai'ale'ale was born in Pauoa, Honolulu, O'ahu, on October 16, 1903, into a rapidly changing Hawai'i -- one in which we were still adjusting to the newness of having become a terrirtory of the United States, one in which Queen Lili'uokalani was very much alive and loved by her Hawaiian people.

The music of Lena Machado has touched the hearts of people for generations. Her unforgettable melodies range from simple two-line ditties to fully-developed ballads. Her poetic expressions, whether playful or poignant, seem like intimate conversations. And who can forget her lilting soprano voice which still resonates in the memory of Hawai'i's people.