Sons of Hawaii
Encyclopedia
The Sons of Hawaii was a Hawaiian musical group that popular to mainstream audiences from the 1960s through the 1990s.
The group was originally formed in 1960 under the leadership of Gabby Pahinui
with members Eddie Kamae
, Joe Marshall and David "Feet" Rogers. Each of these musicians came to the group with years of experience in not only Hawaiian music, but many other kinds, such as American swing, Jazz and Latin rhythms.
In the 1940s through the 1950s, traditional Hawaiian music
was hard to find. Most music played for the many visitors on the islands was tropical ballads
, typically found in Hollywood musicals.
After hours, local musicians would get together and play the traditional Hawaiian music for themselves. These "jam sessions" were generally at luau
s, parks, and a popular place for the local musicians, Charley's Cab, a cab driver's retreat next to Hawaiian Electric building
. Many of Charley's drivers at the time were Hawaiian musicians. This was the cab stand that Eddie Kamae got his start performing before others.
A few years after the group was formed they tended to go their own separate ways until the middle to late 1960s when they reformed with the members, Kamae, Marshall, Rogers, Atta Isaacs and Bobby Larson.
During this time, Kamae revitalized the music by going to the rural countryside and learning from the old-timers both the music and meanings. The rural folks shared with him old family songs and their meanings. Burl Burlingame, of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin
describes this as:
By the end of the '60s the group included Kamae, Marshall, Rogers, Sonny Chillingworth
and Zulu
, who acted on Hawaii Five-0.
In 1970, the group reassembled once more, this time to make another album. To the original four musicians was added ukulele master Moe Keale
.
In 1973, Kamae brought the group back together, minus Gabby, and added a young Hawaiian singer-songwriter named Dennis Kamakahi
(Grammy Award winning recording artist and music composer). This was the fifth Sons of Hawaii incarnation.
On November 16, 1985, Eddie Kamai and the Sons of Hawaii were featured on A Prairie Home Companion
, along with the Kahelelani Serenaders, Taj Mahal
with Carlos Andrade and his band, and the Kamehameha High School Glee Club, as well as Chet Atkins
and Johnny Gimbel plus the show regulars. This is one of their few live recordings, and one of their best. Songs played by The Sons of Hawaii include Hanakeoki, E Hihiwai and the classic Ulili E (Sandpiper).
In 1989, the seventh and final incarnation of the Sons of Hawaii consisted Eddie, Joe, George Kuo, Braddah Smitty, Dennis Kamakahi and sometimes Gary Haleamau and steel player Paul Kim would join them. When Joe Marshall died, Ocean Kaowili became the bass player. This was the last Sons of Hawaii, as Eddie Kamae retired in 1992.
History
In 1960 they opened at the Sandbox in Honolulu and were soon the highest paid Hawaiian group in the Islands. In 1961 they released their first album, "Gabby Pahinui with The Sons of Hawaii."The group was originally formed in 1960 under the leadership of Gabby Pahinui
Gabby Pahinui
Charles Philip "Gabby" or "Pops" Pahinui was a slack-key guitarist.Gabby was born Charles Kapono Kahahawaii Jr. and later hānai-ed into the Pahinui family as Charles Philip Pahinui and raised in the Kaka'ako area of Honolulu in the 1920s...
with members Eddie Kamae
Eddie Kamae
Eddie Kamae is one of the founding members of Sons of Hawaii. He is a 'ukulele virtuoso, singer, composer, film producer and primary proponent of theHawaiian Cultural Renaissance.-Biography:...
, Joe Marshall and David "Feet" Rogers. Each of these musicians came to the group with years of experience in not only Hawaiian music, but many other kinds, such as American swing, Jazz and Latin rhythms.
- Gabby Pahinui (slack-key guitarSlack-key guitarSlack-key guitar is a fingerstyle genre of guitar music that originated in Hawaii. Its name refers to its characteristic open tunings: the English term is a translation of the Hawaiian kī hōalu, which means "loosen the [tuning] key"...
) had been playing clubs in Hawaii for over 20 years and had a loyal following of devoted fans. Gabby played with many of the great bands and musicians of his time and the all-weekend jam sessions at his home were legendary.
- Eddie Kamae had long been one of Hawaii's top ukuleleUkuleleThe ukulele, ; from ; it is a subset of the guitar family of instruments, generally with four nylon or gut strings or four courses of strings....
players. Known for his technical wizardry and unique blend of Spanish rhythm, he toured the mainland and was a featured soloist in a show that brought the sound of the 'ukulele to the status of a full-fledged solo instrument.
- Joe Marshall (upright bassDouble bassThe double bass, also called the string bass, upright bass, standup bass or contrabass, is the largest and lowest-pitched bowed string instrument in the modern symphony orchestra, with strings usually tuned to E1, A1, D2 and G2...
) had been playing music since high school. He had played with the best Hawaiian musicians, and was a singer.
- David 'Feet' Rogers, steel guitarSteel guitarSteel guitar is a type of guitar or the method of playing the instrument. Developed in Hawaii in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a steel guitar is usually positioned horizontally; strings are plucked with one hand, while the other hand changes the pitch of one or more strings with the use...
ist, was just 16 when he joined the band. Kamae, Pahinui and Marshall drove across the island to hear this young man play. His father was also an accomplished steel guitar player.
In the 1940s through the 1950s, traditional Hawaiian music
Music of Hawaii
The music of Hawaii includes an array of traditional and popular styles, ranging from native Hawaiian folk music to modern rock and hip hop. Hawaii's musical contributions to the music of the United States are out of proportion to the state's small size. Styles like slack-key guitar are well-known...
was hard to find. Most music played for the many visitors on the islands was tropical ballads
Tropical music
Musica tropical or tropical music is a broad term for vocal and instrumental music with "tropical" flavor usually associated with the Afro-Caribbean music. It is part of an even broader category of Latin music. Usually it is an upbeat dance music, but also includes ballads. It features complex,...
, typically found in Hollywood musicals.
After hours, local musicians would get together and play the traditional Hawaiian music for themselves. These "jam sessions" were generally at luau
Luau
A luau is a Hawaiian feast. It may feature food, such as poi, kalua pig, poke, lomi salmon, opihi, haupia, and beer; and entertainment, such as Hawaiian music and hula...
s, parks, and a popular place for the local musicians, Charley's Cab, a cab driver's retreat next to Hawaiian Electric building
Hawaiian Electric Industries
Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc.. is the largest supplier of electricity in the state of Hawaii, suppling power to 95% of Hawaii's population through its electric utilities: Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc., Hawaii Electric Light Company, Inc. and Maui Electric Company, Limited. In addition, HEI...
. Many of Charley's drivers at the time were Hawaiian musicians. This was the cab stand that Eddie Kamae got his start performing before others.
A few years after the group was formed they tended to go their own separate ways until the middle to late 1960s when they reformed with the members, Kamae, Marshall, Rogers, Atta Isaacs and Bobby Larson.
During this time, Kamae revitalized the music by going to the rural countryside and learning from the old-timers both the music and meanings. The rural folks shared with him old family songs and their meanings. Burl Burlingame, of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin
Honolulu Star-Bulletin
The Honolulu Star-Bulletin was a daily newspaper based in Honolulu, Hawaii, United States. At the time publication ceased on June 6, 2010, it was the second largest daily newspaper in the state of Hawaii...
describes this as:
- "Although the group was a hit from the first, one of the first stumbling blocks was that none of the members spoke Hawaiian. Kamae sought the advice of Mary Kawena Pukui, legendary Bishop Museum master of the Hawaiian language, and this started him on his life's parallel journey along with music; a consuming scholarship of all things Hawaiian, and more importantly, a student of the process by which such knowledge is transmitted between generations -- or not transmitted."
By the end of the '60s the group included Kamae, Marshall, Rogers, Sonny Chillingworth
Sonny Chillingworth
Edwin Bradfield Liloa Chillingworth, Jr., known as Sonny Chillingworth, was an American guitarist. Widely influential in Hawaiian music, he played slack-key guitar and is widely regarded as one of the most influential slack key guitarists in history.-Life:Chillingworth was born in Oahu in Hawaii,...
and Zulu
Gilbert Lani Kauhi
Gilbert Francis Lani Damian Kauhi , also known by the stage names Zulu and Zoulou, was an American actor and comedian. He is remembered largely for his portrayal of "Kono Kalakaua" on the long-running television program Hawaii Five-O.-Career:Kauhi was born in Hilo on the "Big Island" of Hawaii...
, who acted on Hawaii Five-0.
In 1970, the group reassembled once more, this time to make another album. To the original four musicians was added ukulele master Moe Keale
Moe Keale
Wilfred Nalani "Moe" Keale was a musician of Hawaiian music, ukulele virtuoso, and an American actor. He was uncle to Israel Kamakawiwo'ole.-Career:...
.
In 1973, Kamae brought the group back together, minus Gabby, and added a young Hawaiian singer-songwriter named Dennis Kamakahi
Dennis Kamakahi
Dennis David Kahekilimamaoikalanikeha Kamakahi is a Hawaiian slack key guitarist, recording artist, and music composer. He has won multiple Grammy Awards, and in 2009 was inducted into the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame.-Professional music career:...
(Grammy Award winning recording artist and music composer). This was the fifth Sons of Hawaii incarnation.
On November 16, 1985, Eddie Kamai and the Sons of Hawaii were featured on A Prairie Home Companion
A Prairie Home Companion
A Prairie Home Companion is a live radio variety show created and hosted by Garrison Keillor. The show runs on Saturdays from 5 to 7 p.m. Central Time, and usually originates from the Fitzgerald Theater in Saint Paul, Minnesota, although it is frequently taken on the road...
, along with the Kahelelani Serenaders, Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal (musician)
Henry Saint Clair Fredericks , who uses the stage name Taj Mahal, is an American Grammy Award winning blues musician. He incorporates elements of world music into his music...
with Carlos Andrade and his band, and the Kamehameha High School Glee Club, as well as Chet Atkins
Chet Atkins
Chester Burton Atkins , known as Chet Atkins, was an American guitarist and record producer who, along with Owen Bradley, created the smoother country music style known as the Nashville sound, which expanded country's appeal to adult pop music fans as well.Atkins's picking style, inspired by Merle...
and Johnny Gimbel plus the show regulars. This is one of their few live recordings, and one of their best. Songs played by The Sons of Hawaii include Hanakeoki, E Hihiwai and the classic Ulili E (Sandpiper).
In 1989, the seventh and final incarnation of the Sons of Hawaii consisted Eddie, Joe, George Kuo, Braddah Smitty, Dennis Kamakahi and sometimes Gary Haleamau and steel player Paul Kim would join them. When Joe Marshall died, Ocean Kaowili became the bass player. This was the last Sons of Hawaii, as Eddie Kamae retired in 1992.