Upon returning to Hawai'i he began work on his first solo album. Ka Leo Ki'eki'e was released in 1986 to wide acclaim. It remained at the top of the charts for several months and resulted in earning Pavao the prestigious Nä Hoku Hanohano Male Vocalist of the year. (The annual Na Hoku Hanohano Awards, like the Grammy Awards, recognizes excellence in the recording arts.)