Don McDiarmid was born in Stockton, California on June 10, 1898, and we lost him here in Hawaii on February 27, 1977.
In 1934, Don McDiarmid returned from a cruise through the South Pacific.
The successful musician was on his way home, but Harry Owens persuaded Don to join Harry’s Orchestra at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.
Don’s family relocated to Honolulu, and Don was soon a successful hapa haole songwriter and orchestra leader.
Don McDiarmid was a positive force in the careers of Hilo Hattie and Alfred Apaka.
Today, we’ll focus on some of our favorite hapa haole tunes from the “Hapa Haole Songbook of Don McDiarmid”.
This week's playlist:
1- Do The Hula – Genoa Keawe
2- Kama’aina From Lahaina – Kani Leo’s
3- Hilo Hattie – Hilo Hattie
4- South Sea Sadie – Alvin Kaleolani Isaacs
5- Little Brown Gal – Johnny Pineaaple
6- Aloha Malihini – Genoa Keawe
7- Malihini Molly – Don McDiarmid, Sr. Orchestra
8- Haina I’a Mai Kapuana – Dick McIntire
9- My Tropical Garden – Lani McIntire
10- Evening In The Islands – Alvin Kaleolani Isaacs
11- Aloha Nui Loa, Dear – Don McDiarmid, Sr. Orchestra
Length: 54:07 Released on: 10-12-2012 Artist/Compiled by: Don McDiarmid
