This second in a series of articles about my family’s move from New York to Hawaii 50 years ago this summer explores the profound influence of Hawaiian music on our lives.

Early Love of Hula

My mother, Lola Stone, always the hopeful romantic, had a life-long love for Hawaii. This picture shows Lola in her 20s or 30s, wearing a grass skirt on a Long Island beach.

In the 1960s, she began learning hula from Audrey Palmer Robinson on Long Island. Then she discovered beautiful Hawaiian dancer Puanani De Silva (pictured below).  Pua recalls:

“My memory of your mom and dad began when they came to the Bali Hai in Northport where I had a Hawaiian show. After the show they introduced themselves and we talked for a while. Your mom expressed an interest in learning the hula and some fundamental Hawaiian. So, I started a small private class with her and some friends. They came once a week and spent the afternoon learning.”  

My Mom and Dad (depicted above at the “Bali Hai” on Long Island) took their first trip to Hawaii in the early 1960s.  To reduce cost, they led a tour group, amazing since they had never been there, by using a book by Bob Krauss.  Falling in love with beautiful O’ahu, they went again in 1966 with me, age 11, and we saw all the islands.  Upon returning home, they resolved that next time they go to Hawaii, they will only buy a one-way ticket.  Three years later in 1969, they fulfilled their dream and we moved to Honolulu.

“Papa Dave” and the Sunday Night Beach Show

A long tradition in Waikiki was the free Hawaiian music show on the beach under a hau tree in front of the Reef Hotel every Sunday evening. These shows were led by David “Papa Dave” Kekua who started them in the 1930s.   As soon as we arrived in Hawaii, Mom asked Papa Dave to teach me to play ukulele.  She wanted me to play to help her practice hula, and I quickly fell in love with the beautiful Hawaiian music.

Papa Dave bought me a Kamaka ukulele, a pineapple-shaped one.  It cost $18.  I still play this ukulele today, now worth over $500.  Papa Dave came to our condo on the slopes of Punchbowl for the lessons.  He sketched chords on a piece of cardboard.  He had no musical training, but he strummed chords and sang with a beautiful falsetto voice.  The first song I learned was “Beyond the Reef.”

At the Sunday night show, I initially sat in the front row with “haole” ladies who strummed along with the Hawaiians.  One evening, Papa Dave pointed at me, called “Boy” (he didn’t remember my name), and motioned me to join him and the other entertainers.  Was this “boy” surprised!  I’m the musician standing at the right in the picture below.

I recorded Papa Dave singing some favorite Island melodies at our home.  I know of no other recordings of him, so I consider these rare.  These two clips total about 27 minutes:  Part 1,  Part 2.

You can read my mother’s reflections about Papa Dave in her post on unforgettable Hawaiians.

I lived in Hawaii for eight years.  Every Sunday, we performed on the beach.  Dear Papa Dave passed away the year before I left Hawaii in 1977, but the show kept going for many years. Yes, that is me (on the left) on the cover of an album named in honor of the famous hau tree and the tradition of free shows on the beach.

Honolulu Star Bulletin article Jan 29, 1976 after Papa Dave passed away

Continuing the Music 

I moved to California in 1977 and Texas soon after.  But I maintained my affinity for Hawaiian music.  I frequently visited my parents in Hawaii and played at the Sunday night show as my Mom danced.  Back home in Houston, I played with a social group “Meredith’s Malihinis.” Later I joined Houston’s Hawaiian Club and performed at its annual luaus.  (Watch us perform here.)

In the 1990s, I got Hawaiian groups together across Texas to produce three Hawaiian concerts in Houston featuring such great Island artists as the Mahaka Sons, Jerry Santos of Olomana, Robi Kahakalau, Sean Na’auao, Cyril Pahinui, and Kuuipo Kumukahi.

Today I continue to “jam” with Houston musicians who love Hawaiian music.  We call ourselves “Da Ban.”  See us perform here.  And whenever I get to visit Hawaii, I make a point of seeing live Hawaiian music and visiting some of the wonderful entertainers who I know.

Hawaiian music, so melodious, deep and moving, and expressing such love for the Islands, has been a joy for me now for 50 years and counting.