Solomon Ho’opi’i Ka’ai’ai was born in Honolulu on December 19, 1902.
At the age of 17, Sol sailed to the US mainland with his steel guitar to seek his fortune.
In 1925, Sol made his very first recordings for small Hollywood based labels, Hollywood Records and Sunset Records.
Sol dabbled in jazzy renditions of new popular hit parade songs published around the year of 1925.
Almost 94 years later, nearly a century, we’ll share this memorable music.
This week's playlist:
1- Yes Sir, That’s My Baby – Hawaiian Syncopators
2- Moonlight & Roses – Waikiki Hawaiian Trio
3- When My Sugar Walks Down The Street – Waikiki Hawn Trio
4- King’s Serenade – Waikiki Hawaiian Trio
5- Cecilia – Hollywood Trio
6- You Told Me To Go – Hollywood Trio
7- Yearning – Waikiki Hawaiian Trio
8- Oh, Lady Be Good – Waikiki Hawaiian Trio
9- Na Lei O Hawaii – Waikiki Hawaiian Trio
10- Lady Of The Nile – Waikiki Hawaiian Trio
11- All Alone – Waikiki Hawaiian Trio
Length: 54:17 Released on: 01-18-2019 Artist/Compiled by: Sol Hoopii
Georgia Hawaiians
Several black Americans began recording Hawaiian hapa haole music in the 1930s.
Duke Ellington at Harlem’s Cotton Club. In Hollywood, recordings were made by Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller, Nat King Cole, Billy Ward, and the Mills Brothers.
While my father, as a local radio announcer in Honolulu, often referred to the black artists as “Royal Hawaiians”, Fats Waller himself described his band as “Georgia Hawaiians”.
In any event, these recordings were popular both here and on the mainland US.
Almost 82 years later, we’ll share this memorable music.
This week's playlist:
1- Swingtime In Honolulu – Duke Ellington & his Cotton Club Parade
2- Nalani – Nat King Cole
3- I’ll Weave A Lei Of Stars For You – Billy Ward & his Ork & Chorus
4- Behave Hula Girl – Billy Ward & his Orchestra & Chorus
5- Sweet Someone – Eddie & Betty Cole
6- Why Do Hawaiians Sing Aloha? – Fats Waller & his Rhythm
7- Yellow Bird – Mills Brothers
8- On A Coconut Island – Louis Armstrong w/ Andy Iona & Islanders
9- Hawaiian Hospitality – Louis Armstrong w/ Andy Iona & Islanders
10- On A Little Bamboo Bridge – Louis Armstrong w/ Andy Iona
11- To You Sweetheart, Aloha – Louis Armstrong w/ Andy Iona
Length: 55:44 Released on: 01-11-2019 Artist/Compiled by: Various Artists
George Ku & Paradise Serenaders - 1932
George Ku and his Paradise Islanders recorded for both Victor and Brunswick Records in 1932.
Leader George Sam Ku was born on December 22, 1899 in Honolulu, and played the guitar. Steel guitarist Charles Opunui was born in Honolulu on July 14, 1896.
Ukulele and tiple player Spencer Maunakea Kulaniakea was born on Kauai on August 14, 1902.
Their sound celebrated the “new” National tri-cone resophonic guitar invented just 6 years earlier, which were 7 times louder than conventional steel guitars.
Almost 87 years later, we’ll share this memorable music from 1932.
This week's playlist:
1- Na Ali’i – George Ku & his Paradise Serenaders
2- Beuatiful Ohio - George Ku & his Paradise Serenaders
3- Na Pua O Hawaii - George Ku & his Paradise Serenaders
4- Ku’u Lei - George Ku & his Paradise Serenaders
5- Auana - George Ku & his Paradise Serenaders
6- Eleu Mikimiki - George Ku & his Paradise Serenaders
7- Then Someones In Love – George Ku & P.S.s
8- Leilehua - George Ku & his Paradise Serenaders
9- The Melody of My Heart – George Ku & P.S.s
10- Ke Kali Nei Au - George Ku & his Paradise Serenaders
11- The Voice In The Old Village Choir – George Ku & PSs
Length: 56:04 Released on: 01-04-2019 Artist/Compiled by: George Sam Ku
40th annual New Years Party
As the old year was ending in ancient times in Hawaii, Kahuna associated with certain heiau on the Western side of each inhabited Hawaiian island would watch for the appearance of “Na Huihui o Makali’i”, a star cluster that appears in the evening sky.
Once “Makali’i” was seen, the next new moon would begin the “Makahiki” season, a 4-month period when warfare was prohibited, and people celebrated with games and sports.
When Westerners arrived with their tradition of the New Year’s celebration, it coincided with the Hawaiians practice of Makahiki. Thus, “Hau’oli Makahiki Hou” now says “Happy New Year!”
Today, we’ll spin some lyrical libations, as we share our 40th annual Territorial New Year’s Party.
This week's playlist:
1- Hau’oli Makahiki Hou – Genoa Keawe
2- Hawaiian Hospitality – Ted Fio Rito
3- Let’s Go For Broke – Andy Iona
4- Okole Maluna – Andy Iona
5- A Wee Doech An’ Doris – Sol K. Bright
6- Geevum – Don Ho
7- Welakahou –Ed Kenney
8- Koni Au I Ka Wai – Harry Owens
9- Pau Pilikia – Ernest & Freddie Tavares
10- I’m Pau – Dick McIntire & Harmony Hawaiians
11- Right on – Waikiki Girls
12- Auld Lang Syne – Leo Nahenahe Singers
Length: 56:00 Released on: 12-28-2018 Artist/Compiled by: Various Artists
40th annual Territorial Christmas Party
The Leo Nahenahe Singers were led by Noelani Kanoho Mahoe, with Mona Noelani Teves, Ethelynne Kaleimokihana Teves, & Lynette Kaopuiki Paglinawan.
They were backed up on this Hawaiian Christmas recording by leader Harold Hakuole on bass, Francis Ho’okano on vibes, Albert Ka’ailau on guitar, Clarence Hohu on drums, & Leland Atta Isaacs on slack key guitar.
In this program, 50+ years later, we’ll share this memorable music.
This week's playlist:
1- Mele Kalikimaka – Leo Nahenahe Singers
2- Wheeha E Kakou - Leo Nahenahe Singers
3- Christmas Chopsticks - Leo Nahenahe Singers
4- Mele Kalikimaka Ia ‘Oe - Leo Nahenahe Singers
5- Little Drummer Boy - Leo Nahenahe Singers
6- Deck The Halls - Leo Nahenahe Singers
7- ‘Oli ‘Oli Makahiki Hou - Leo Nahenahe Singers
8- Merry Christmas Ia Kakou - Leo Nahenahe Singers
9- Kana Kaloka - Leo Nahenahe Singers
10- Christmas Luau - Leo Nahenahe Singers
11- Silent Night - Leo Nahenahe Singers
Length: 53:44 Released on: 12-21-2018 Artist/Compiled by: Various Artists
