Benny Kalama
Encyclopedia
Benny Kalama was born Benjamin Kapena Kalama in Kohala on the Big Island of Hawaii. Honey-voiced falsetto legend Benny Kalama was a talent staple of Hawaii's music industry, but his contributions were often overshadowed either by those of the singer he is credited with discovering and nurturing, Alfred Apaka
, or by the larger whole of the groups he became a part of. Until the day Apaka died, Kalama was coaching and arranging music for him.
where he played in the band, Kalama hooked up with Leonard "Red" Hawk and the Waikikians. Kalama's ability to read music, rather than play by ear, got him hired by the more successful bands. It was Hawk who wrote the lyrics and music to the ubiquitous song May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii. In 1938, Kalama played steel guitar substituting for Sam Kaʻapuni with the Malcolm Beelby Orchestra.
Kalama worked with the Don McDiarmid Sr band at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, the Kewalo Inn and La Hula Rhumba on Lulalilo Street. McDiarmid, along with Johnny Noble
, had penned Hilo Hattie's signature tune When Hilo Hattie Does the Hilo Hop. During this period of his career, Kalama worked with Alfred Apaka, George Kainapau, Alvin Isaacs Sr and Tommy Castro
.
In between his participation with the McDiarmid band, Benny played with the Wally Lavque's band, also at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel
. He toured the mainland with the Royal Hawaiian Serenaders, appearing in movies and on recordings.
Benny Kalama was with Andy Bright's band the years 1952-1955 at the Moana Hotel
in Waikiki.
In 1955, he began working with Alfred Apaka in Las Vegas, followed by 15 years with Henry Kaiser's Hawaiian Village
. Kalama's arrangements are credited with helping Apaka's success.
On radio, Kalama was a director and arranger on KGU's Voice of Hawaii program prior to bombing of Pearl Harbor. From 1952 onward, Kalama was musical director and arranger for Hawaiʻi Calls.
nightclub with Alan Akaka and Walter Moʻokini's "Islanders", and also as part of the stage band for the annual Steel Guitar Hoʻolauleʻa.
awarded Kalama the 1993 Na Hoku Hanohano Lifetime Achievement Award for his substantial contributions to the entertainment industry in Hawaii.
Alfred Apaka
Alfred Apaka was born Alfred Aholo Apaka Jrin Honolulu, Hawaii to vocalist Alfred Aholo Apaka Sr. Alfred was a graduate of President Theodore Roosevelt High School where he was an athlete and ROTC cadet captain...
, or by the larger whole of the groups he became a part of. Until the day Apaka died, Kalama was coaching and arranging music for him.
Biography
At Kalakaua Intermediate School in 1931, Benny began playing trombone in the band. Upon graduation from McKinley High SchoolPresident William McKinley High School
President William McKinley High School, more commonly referred to as McKinley High School, is a public, co-educational college preparatory high school of the Hawaii State Department of Education and serves grades nine through twelve...
where he played in the band, Kalama hooked up with Leonard "Red" Hawk and the Waikikians. Kalama's ability to read music, rather than play by ear, got him hired by the more successful bands. It was Hawk who wrote the lyrics and music to the ubiquitous song May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii. In 1938, Kalama played steel guitar substituting for Sam Kaʻapuni with the Malcolm Beelby Orchestra.
Kalama worked with the Don McDiarmid Sr band at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, the Kewalo Inn and La Hula Rhumba on Lulalilo Street. McDiarmid, along with Johnny Noble
Johnny Noble
-Further reading:...
, had penned Hilo Hattie's signature tune When Hilo Hattie Does the Hilo Hop. During this period of his career, Kalama worked with Alfred Apaka, George Kainapau, Alvin Isaacs Sr and Tommy Castro
Tommy Castro
Tommy Castro is an American blues, R&B and rock guitarist and singer. He has been recording since the mid 1990s. His music has taken him from local stages to national and international touring. His popularity was marked by his winning the 2008 Blues Music Award for Entertainer Of The Year...
.
In between his participation with the McDiarmid band, Benny played with the Wally Lavque's band, also at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel
Royal Hawaiian Hotel
Royal Hawaiian Hotel, also known as the Pink Palace of the Pacific, is a hotel located at 2259 Kalākaua Avenue in Honolulu, Hawaii, on the island of Oahu. One of the first hotels established in Waikiki, the Royal Hawaiian Hotel is considered one of the flagship hotels in Hawaii tourism...
. He toured the mainland with the Royal Hawaiian Serenaders, appearing in movies and on recordings.
Benny Kalama was with Andy Bright's band the years 1952-1955 at the Moana Hotel
Moana Hotel
The Moana Hotel, also known as the First Lady of Waikīkī, is a famous historic hotel on the island of Oahu, located at 2365 Kalākaua Avenue in Honolulu, Hawaii. Built in the late 19th century as the first hotel in Waikiki, the Moana opened its doors to guests in 1901, becoming the first large hotel...
in Waikiki.
In 1955, he began working with Alfred Apaka in Las Vegas, followed by 15 years with Henry Kaiser's Hawaiian Village
Hilton Hawaiian Village
The Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort and Spa, formerly the Kaiser Hawaiian Village Hotel, has been a popular hotel in the Waikiki area of the City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii, United States since 1957. It is the largest hotel of the Hilton chain, with 3,386 rooms and with 7 towers...
. Kalama's arrangements are credited with helping Apaka's success.
On radio, Kalama was a director and arranger on KGU's Voice of Hawaii program prior to bombing of Pearl Harbor. From 1952 onward, Kalama was musical director and arranger for Hawaiʻi Calls.
Later years
In his final years, Kalama played up until the end - at the Halekulani's House Without a KeyHalekulani hotel
Halekulani is a U.S. luxury hotel located on Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii. It has 453 rooms in five buildings on of property. Halekulani is a Hawaiian word meaning "House Befitting Heaven"....
nightclub with Alan Akaka and Walter Moʻokini's "Islanders", and also as part of the stage band for the annual Steel Guitar Hoʻolauleʻa.
Benny Kalama
- Hawaii's Golden Treasures (1996) CD 100 (Surfside)
- Twilight in Hawaii w/Nina Kealiiwahamana (1996) CD 1008 (MIM)
- Legends of Falsetto (2000) CD 35000 (Cord International)
- He Is Hawaiian Music (2000) CD SLCD-7054 (Lehua)
- Steel Guitar Magic (2000) CD 31000 (Mountain Apple)
- My Isle of Golden Dreams (2003) CD 1233 (Cord International)
- Around the World in 80 Shakes (2006) CD 93133 (Universal Geffen)
Ben Kalama's Islanders
- How'd Ya Do / My Island (1954) promo single F2908 (Capitol)
- Webley Edwards Presents Hawaii Calls at Twilight (1956) LP album T 582 (Capitol)
- Hawaii Calls: Greatest Hits (1960) LP album ST 1339 (Capitol)
- I Wish They Didn't Mean Goodbye / Forevermore (Lei Aloha, Lei Makame) w/Alfred Apaka (1960) promo single 9-31057 (Decca)
- Hawaii Aloha w/Dona Klein (1979) LP album S 5361 (Chapel)
- Lei of Stars (1998) comp single HOCD 31000 (Hana Ola)
Recognition
The Hawai'i Academy of Recording ArtsHawai'i Academy of Recording Arts
The Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts is a nonprofit organization formed in 1982 to stimulate interest in the local recording industry and the music of Hawaii.-External links:*...
awarded Kalama the 1993 Na Hoku Hanohano Lifetime Achievement Award for his substantial contributions to the entertainment industry in Hawaii.