The Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame is an organization dedicated to recognizing the cultural importance of the music of Hawaii and hula. Established in 1994, the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame promotes the appreciation and preservation of Hawaiian culture through educational programs and annual inductions honoring significant individuals, groups, institutions, chanters and songs. [1]
King David Kalakaua, Queen Liliuokalani, Princess Miriam Likelike and Prince William Pitt Leleiohoku II were siblings known as Na Lani ʻEhā, or The Royal Four, for their patronage and enrichment of Hawaii's musical culture and history. All four were composers. Their aggregate body of musical compositions in the Hawaiian language numbers in the hundreds. After the hula had long been banned by missionaries, Kalakaua restored it as a symbol of the Hawaiian culture. Kalakaua and Liliuokalani were the last monarchs of the Kingdom of Hawaii, but The Royal Four's legacy of music to Hawaii lives on through individual artists. The Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame acknowledges the royal siblings as their patrons. [2]
Name | Image | Birth–Death | Notes | Ref(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Kalākaua | 1836–1891 | Lyricist for the state song "Hawaii Ponoi", honoring Kamehameha I (Henri Berger wrote the music). The last reigning king of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Helped restore the hula. The Merrie Monarch Festival is named in his honor. | [3] [4] | |
Liliʻuokalani | 1838–1917 | Last reigning monarch of Hawaiian Kingdom. Composed "Aloha 'Oe" and hundreds of other songs and chants List of compositions and works by Liliʻuokalani | [5] [6] | |
Likelike | 1851–1887 | Princess of the Hawaiian Kingdom, mother of Princess Ka'iulani. Composer and sponsor of musical events. | [7] [8] | |
Leleiohoku II | 1854–1877 | Prince and Heir Apparent of the Hawaiian Kingdom List of compositions and works by Leleiohoku | [9] [10] | |
Song title | Year | Notes | Ref(s) |
---|---|---|---|
He Mele Aloha: A Hawaiian Songbook | 2018 | Published 2003 Editors: Vicky Hollinger, Kimo Hussey, Puakea Nogelmeier, Carol Wilcox | [11] |
The Queen's Songbook | 2018 | Published 1999 Editors: Dorothy Kahananui Gillett, Barbara Smith and Hui Hanai | [12] |
Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī | 2012 | State song of Hawaiʻi, written by King David Kalakaua and Henri Berger | [13] |
ʻĀlika | 2002 | Words & music by Charles Ka'apa | [14] |
Kalama'ula | 2002 | Words & music by Emma Kala Dudoit | [15] |
Wehiwehi 'Oe | 2002 | Words & music by Sylvester Kalama | [16] |
Hawaii Aloha | 1998 | Written by Rev. Lorenzo Lyons | [17] |
Kaulana Na Pua | 1998 | Written by Ellen Wright Prendergast | [18] |
Makalapua | 1998 | Written by Konia and Eliza Holt | [19] |
Na Ali'i | 1998 | Written by Samuel Kauhiwi | [20] |
Ua Like No A Like | 1998 | Written by Alice Everett | [21] |
Institution | Image | Year | Notes | Ref(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Kamaka Hawaii, Inc. | 2013 | Ukulele maker | [22] | |
Kawaiahaʻo Church | 2004 | Church of Hawaiian royal family | [23] | |
Kamehameha Schools | 2003 | Awarded for perpetuating Hawaiian music | [24] | |
Name | Image | Year | Notes | Ref(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Hawaiian Room musicians from the Lexington Hotel, NYC | 2019 | [25] [26] [27] [28] | ||
Beamer ‘Ohana | 2018 | Nona, Keola, Kapono | [29] | |
Ho‘opi‘i Brothers | 2018 | Richard Ho‘opi‘i (b.1941) and Solomon Ho‘opi‘i (1935–2006) | [30] [31] | |
Kahananui ‘Ohana | 2018 | Mother Dorothy Kahananui (c.1895–1984) and daughter Dorothy Gillett (1919–1996) | [32] | |
The Isaacs Ohana | 2017 | Alvin Kaleolani Isaacs and his sons: Alvin Issacs Jr., Leland “Atta” Isaacs, Norman Isaacs, | [33] [34] | |
The Kanaka’ole Ohana | 2017 | Kekuhi Kanahele-Frias (mother), Pualani Kanaka'ole Kanahele (grandmother), Nalani Kanaka'ole (great aunt), Kaumakaiwa Kanaka'ole (daughter) | [33] [35] | |
Halekulani Girls | 2015 | Alice Fredlund, Sybil Bright Andrews, Linda Dela Cruz | [36] | |
Hawaii Calls | 2014 | Radio show | [37] | |
Ka Leo Hawai‘i | 2012 | Recording artists Alan Akaka, Daniel Akaka Jr., Haunani Apoliona, Haunani Bernardino, Malia Craver, Ainsley Halemanu, Larry Kimura, Lance Koyama, George Kuo, Aaron Mahi, Keoki Maguire, Lolena Nicholas, Mary Kawena Pukiu, Kalena Silva. | [38] | |
Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau | 2012 | Recording artists | [39] [13] | |
Olomana | 2011 | Founded in 1973 by Jerry Santos and Robert Beaumont | [40] | |
Richard Kauhi Quartet | 2010 | Formed by pianist Richard Kauhi in 1947 | [41] [42] | |
Hui Ohana | 2009 | Formed by Ledward Kaʻapana with brother Nedward Kaʻapana, mother Tina Kaʻapana and cousin Dennis Pavao | [43] | |
Leo Nahenahe Singers | 2008 | Formed in 1962 by Noelani Kanoho Mahoe. Other members included | [44] | |
The Brothers Cazimero | 2006 | Duo formed in the 1970s | [45] | |
Kahauanu Lake Trio | 2005 | See Kahauanu Lake | [46] | |
Haili Church Choir | 2001 | Helped develop and promote Hawaiian music | [47] | |
The Royal Hawaiian Band | 1999 | Established in 1836 by Kamehameha III and still active playing on the grounds of Iolani Palace | [48] | |
Relevant historical events coinciding with the time frame of the chanter prophesies:
Name | Image | Birth–Death | Year | Notes | Ref(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
James Pihanui Kuluwaimaka Palea | 1837–1937 | 2011 | Chanter in the court of Kalākaua, chanted for Queen Emma. After Kalakaua's death he retired to his home and married three times to professional hula women | [54] [55] | |
Akoni Mika | 1858–? | 2011 | Kauai chanter recorded by ethnomusicologist Helen Heffron Roberts in the 1920s | [56] | |
James Kaʻupena Wong | 1929–2022 | 2008 | Chanter, dancer, teacher, composer and recording artist. NEA National Heritage Fellowship in his honor. Protege of Mary Kawena Pukui. | [57] | |
Ka'opulupulu | c. 1773 | 2000 | Chanter and prophet who advised Kahahana against giving away Kualoa land on Oahu to Kahekili II of Maui. Kahekili II declared the priest a traitor and had both the priest and the priest's son killed. Prophesied the conquest of Hawaii by the white man, the end of the monarchy, and the extinction of the Hawaiian race. | [58] | |
Kapoukahi | 2000 | Prophesied that Kamehameha I would be ruler over a united kingdom. | [58] | ||
Kapihe | 2000 | Offered prayers over newborn Kamehameha III, believed to be stillborn. Prophesied the end of the kapus (taboos). Other prophesies are believed to have foretold of the coming of the missionaries and subsequent downfall of the Hawaiian monarchy. | [58] | ||
Hewahewa | 2000 | High priest under Kamehameha I and Kamehameha II, later converted to Christianity. Helped Ka'ahumanu and Keōpūolani end the kapus. | [58] | ||
Keaulumoku | 1716–1784 | 1995 singularly 2000 with group | Chanter and prophet. His prophesies included Kamehameha I's unification of the islands, conquest by the white man, destruction of the temples, the downfall of the monarchy and extinction of the Hawaiian race. | [59] [58] | |
Name | Image | Birth–Death | Year | Notes | Ref(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jules Ah See | 1924–1960 | 2021-22 | Steel guitar virtuoso | [60] | |
Kihei de Silva | 2022 | [61] | |||
Mapuana de Silva | 2022 | Hula Kumu (teacher) | [62] | ||
Kawaikapuokalani Hewitt | 2022 | Hula Kumu (teacher), songwriter | [63] | ||
David Kalama | 2022 | ||||
Makua Laiana | 2022 | ||||
Lorenzo Lyons | 1807-1886 | 2022 | Missionary, composer of "Hawaii Aloha" | [64] | |
Mary P. Robins | 2022 | Composer | [65] | ||
Pua Haʻaheo | 2019 | [25] | |||
Marta Hohu | 2019 | [25] | |||
David “Feet” Rogers | 2019 | [25] | |||
Harry B. Soria Jr. | 2019 | [25] | |||
Kauʻi Zuttermeister | 2019 | [25] | |||
Saichi Kawahara | 2018 | [25] | |||
Richard “Babe” Bell | 2017 | Ceremonial conch shell blower | [66] | ||
Krash Kealoha | 1949–2010 | 2017 | Actor, radio personality, real name (Victor Hoonani Opiopio) | [67] | |
Jacqueline "Skylark" Rossetti | 2017 | Radio personality | [68] | ||
Kimo Kahoano | 2017 | Radio/TV personality | [69] | ||
Karen Keawehawai’i | 2017 | Vocalist | [33] | ||
Melveen Leed | 2017 | Actress, musical performer | [70] | ||
Israel Kamakawiwoʻole | 1959–1997 | 2017 | Musical performer | [71] | |
Johnny Noble | 1892–1944 | 2016 | Musician, composer and arranger | [72] | |
Jean “Kini” Sullivan | died 2008 | 2016 | Recording industry producer & translation credits for Hawaiian songs. | [73] | |
John Kaimikaua | 1958–2006 | 2016 | Hula instructor, Hawaiian culture expert, founder of the Moloka'i Ka Hula Piko festival | [74] | |
Mamo Howell | 2016 | Dancer, model, fashion designer | [75] | ||
Danny Kaleikini | 1937–2023 | 2016 | Live entertainer and musician, actor | [76] | |
Jerry Byrd | 1920–2005 | 2015 | Lap steel guitar | [77] | |
Lei Collins | c. 1913–1999 | 2015 | Songwriter, Violet "Aunty Lei" Collins | [78] | |
O'Brian Eselu | 1955–2012 | 2015 | Singer, kumu hula | [79] | |
Lokalia Montgomery | 1903–1978 | 2015 | Authority on ancient Hawaiian culture, curator of Huliheʻe Palace; State of Hawaii's Order of Distinction for Cultural Leadership | [80] | |
Darrell Lupenui | 1952–1987 | 2015 | Kumu hula | [81] | |
Thaddius Wilson | c. 1952–2004 | 2015 | Kumu hula | [82] | |
Sonny Chillingworth | 1932–1994 | 2014 | Slack-key guitar, vocalist | [83] | |
Lani Custino | 1932–1998 | 2014 | Hula dancer, vocalist, daughter of Vickie K. I'i Rodrigues | [84] | |
Edith Kawelohea McKinzie | 1925–2014 | 2014 | Author, genealogy, hula and chant expert, professor of Hawaiian studies. | [85] | |
Beverly Noa | c. 1933–2017 | 2014 | Miss Hawaii 1952, hula dancer | [86] | |
Puakea Nogelmeier | 2014 | Songwriter, Kumu Hula, and Associate Professor of Hawaiian Language at the University of Hawaii | [87] | ||
Don Ho | 1930–2007 | 2013 | Singer | [88] | |
Matthew H. Kane | 1872–1920 | 2013 | Composer | [89] [90] | |
Iolani Luahine | 1915–1978 | 2013 | Kumu hula, dancer, chanter and teacher, who was considered the high priestess of the ancient hula | [91] | |
Napua Stevens | 1918–1990 | 2013 | Hawaiian entertainer, singer, hula dancer, musician, teacher, radio-TV personality, producer and author | [92] | |
Harry Owens | 1902–1986 | 2012 | Composer of "Sweet Leilani" | [39] | |
George Kainapau | 1905–1992 | 2012 | Falsetto singer | [93] | |
George Naʻope | 1928–2009 | 2012 | Kumu hula master | [94] | |
Joseph Ilalaole | 1873–1965 | 2011 | Hula instructor, with ties to Queen Emma of Hawaii | [95] | |
Benny Kalama | 1916–1999 | 2011 | Vocalist, musician, musical director of Hawaii Calls, arranger for Alfred Apaka | [96] | |
Sam Li'a Kalainaina | 1881–1975 | 2011 | Big Island performer and promoter, composer known as "the poet of Waipio Valley" | [97] [98] | |
Alice Nāmakelua | 1892–1987 | 2011 | Kumu hula, lei maker, slack key guitar performer | [99] | |
Pat Namaka Bacon | born 1920 | 2010 | Author and scholar of Hawaiian culture, adopted daughter of Mary Pukui | [100] | |
Andy Cummings | 1913–1995 | 2010 | Composer who wrote "Waikiki" | [101] [102] | |
Ernest Kaʻai | 1881–1961 | 2010 | Ukulele virtuoso | [103] | |
Keali'i Reichel | born 1961 | 2010 | Vocalist, composer | [104] | |
Thomas Sylvester Kalama | 1856–1906 | 2009 | Songwriter, published under the names Sylvester Kalama and Sylvester Thomas Kalama. Composer of "Maui Girl", "Wehiwehi Oe", "Kaleleonālani (Flight of the Royal Ones)", "One, Two, Three, Four", "Pua Mikinolia" | [105] | |
Dennis Kamakahi | 1953–2014 | 2009 | Composer, vocalist, slack key guitarist | [106] | |
Ma'iki Aiu Lake | 1925–1984 | 2009 | Hula master | [107] | |
Kui Lee | 1932–1966 | 2009 | Composer, recording artist | [108] | |
Joseph Ae'a | 1846–1911 | 2008 | Musician, composer, member of the Royal Hawaiian Band; agent of Her Majesty Liliuokalani | [109] | |
Elizabeth Kahau Kauanui Alohikea | 1885–1939 | 2008 | Singer with the Royal Hawaiian Band, wife of Alfred Alohikea. She sang under the name "Lizzie Alohikea". She retired from the RHB on Aug. 31, 1937 | [110] [111] | |
Anuhea Audrey Brown | 1922–2011 | 2008 | Musician composer, singer, pianist with the Haili Church Choir | [112] | |
Thomas Kihei Desha Brown | 1925–1978 | 2008 | Falsetto singer, musician, band leader | [113] | |
Alice Angeline Johnson | 1912–1982 | 2008 | Composer known as "The Song Bird of Maui" | [44] | |
John Keola Lake | 1937–2008 | 2008 | Mentor and teacher of Hawaiian culture at Saint Louis High School, Chaminade University and Hawaiian Academy of Arts, Music, and Dance | [114] | |
Albert Po'ai Nahalea Sr. | 1910–1970 | 2008 | Composer, Minister of Music, Haili Church Choir | [115] | |
Palani Vaughan | 1944–2016 | 2008 | Recording artist | [116] | |
Bill Ka'iwa | 1934–2011 | 2007 | Recording artist | [117] | |
Jesse Kalima | 1920–1980 | 2007 | Ukulele virtuoso, vocalist | [118] | |
Eddie Kamae | 1927–2017 | 2007 | Ukulele virtuoso | [119] | |
Donald McDiarmid Sr | 1898–1977 | 2007 | Founder of Hula Records, composer, member of Harry Owens band. | [120] | |
Peter Moon | 1944–2018 | 2007 | Vocalist and musician who began in the 1960s with Sunday Manoa | [121] | |
Marlene Sai | born 1941 | 2007 | Recording artist discovered by Don Ho | [122] | |
John Pi'ilani Watkins | 1928–1983 | 2007 | Falsetto Hall of Fame member, hula master, a judge at the Merrie Monarch Festival | [123] | |
Mahi Beamer | 1929–2017 | 2006 | Falsetto singer | [124] | |
Charles K.L. Davis | 1925–1991 | 2006 | Opera singer who also sang hapa haole songs, sang as a duo in Los Angeles with James Shigeta | [125] | |
Linda Dela Cruz | 1929–2007 | 2006 | Falsetto singer, activist for native Hawaiian rights | [126] | |
Nina Keali`iwahamana | 2006 | Vocalist | [127] | ||
Emma Veary | born 1930 | 2006 | Vocalist with operatic range, performed in various venues in Waikiki. Noted for her rendition of Kamehameha Waltz | [128] | |
Alfred Alohikea | 1884–1936 | 2005 | Kauai musician, composer; married to Lizzie Alohikea | [129] | |
Bill Ali'iloa Lincoln | 1913–1989 | 2005 | Falsetto singer | [130] | |
Henry W. Waia'u | 2005 | Composer | [131] | ||
Kahauanu Lake | 1932–2011 | 2004 | Composer, musician prominent in the Waikiki music scene | [132] | |
Ray Kinney | 1900–1972 | 2002 | Vocalist who performed across multiple media. Discovered other performers such as Alfred Apaka and Eddie Kamae. | [133] | |
Gabby Pahinui | 1921–1980 | 2002 | Vocalist, slack key guitarist, recording artist | [134] | |
Genoa Keawe | 1918–2008 | 2001 | Falsetto singer, recorded in the Hawaiian language for 49th State Records | [135] | |
Maddy Lam | 1910–1985 | 2000 | Composer, vocalist with Alfred Apaka and Webley Edwards | [136] | |
John Kameaaloha Almeida | 1897–1985 | 1998 | Recording artist, composer of what have become standards of Hawaiian music | [137] | |
Irmgard Farden Aluli | 1911–2001 | 1998 | Composer, wrote "Puamana" | [138] | |
Robert Alex Anderson | 1894–1995 | 1998 | Composer of "Lovely Hula Hands", "Mele Kalikimaka" and many others | [139] | |
Bina Mossman | 1893–1990 | 1998 | Composer, organized the first Hawaii girls glee club | [140] | |
David Nape | 1870–1913 | 1998 | Composer, member of the Royal Hawaiian Band | [141] [142] | |
Albert "Sonny" Cunha | 1879–1933 | 1996 | Composer, the first one to popularize Hawaiian songs with English lyrics ("Hapa-Haole") | [143] | |
Sol Hoʻopiʻi | 1902–1953 | 1996 | Steel guitar player | [144] | |
Alvin Kaleolani Isaacs | 1904–1984 | 1996 | Original band leader of the Royal Hawaiians, composed over 300 songs | [145] [146] | |
Haunani Kahalewai | 1929–1982 | 1996 | Mezzo-soprano who was a featured vocalist with Alfred Apaka | [147] | |
Mekia Kealakaʻi | 1867–1944 | 1996 | Bandmaster of the Royal Hawaiian Band | [148] | |
Alfred Apaka | 1919–1960 | 1995 | Baritone singer who popularized romantic Hawaiian ballads during the 1950s. | [149] | |
Helen Desha Beamer | 1882–1952 | 1995 | Composer and recording artist | [150] | |
Henri Berger | 1844–1929 | 1995 | Led the Royal Hawaiian Band from 1872 until his death. Wrote the melody to Kalakaua's song Hawaii Ponoi. | [151] | |
Sol K. Bright Sr. | 1909–1992 | 1995 | Recording artist and composer of "Hawaiian Cowboy", "Sophisticated Hula" and "Polynesian Love Song" | [152] | |
Joseph Kekuku | 1874–1932 | 1995 | Inventor of the steel guitar | [153] | |
Charles E. King | 1874–1950 | 1995 | Composer | [154] | |
Lena Machado | 1903–1974 | 1995 | Vocalist, composer, soloist with the Royal Hawaiian Band | [155] | |
Mary Pukui | 1895–1986 | 1995 | Author of the Hawaiian Dictionary, chanter, composer | [156] | |
Vickie I'i Rodrigues | 1912–1987 | 1995 | Vocalist who translated lyrics between the Hawaiian and English languages | [157] | |
Liliʻuokalani was the only queen regnant and the last sovereign monarch of the Hawaiian Kingdom, ruling from January 29, 1891, until the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom on January 17, 1893. The composer of "Aloha ʻOe" and numerous other works, she wrote her autobiography Hawaiʻi's Story by Hawaiʻi's Queen (1898) during her imprisonment following the overthrow.
Aloha Stadium is a closed multi-purpose stadium located in Halawa, Hawaii, a census-designated place that is a western suburb of Honolulu. It is the largest stadium in the state of Hawaii. As of December 2020, the stadium ceased fan-attended operations indefinitely, and placed a moratorium on the scheduling of new events. It is located next to the Hālawa station of the Skyline rail system.
Kalākaua, sometimes called The Merrie Monarch, was the last king and penultimate monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi, reigning from February 12, 1874, until his death in 1891. Succeeding Lunalilo, he was elected to the vacant throne of Hawaiʻi against Queen Emma. Kalākaua had a convivial personality and enjoyed entertaining guests with his singing and ukulele playing. At his coronation and his birthday jubilee, the hula, which had hitherto been banned in public in the kingdom, became a celebration of Hawaiian culture.
Likelike was a princess of the Hawaiian Kingdom and member of the reigning House of Kalākaua. She was born in Honolulu, on the island of Oʻahu. Likelike's parents were Analea Keohokālole and Caesar Kapaʻakea, and the family were members of the aliʻi class of the Hawaiian nobility. Before the age of six, she was raised on the island of Hawaii for her health. Likelike later returned to Honolulu, where she was educated by Roman Catholic and Congregationalist teachers in the city's girls' schools.
"Aloha ʻOe" is a Hawaiian folk song written c. 1878 by Liliʻuokalani, who was then Princess of the Hawaiian Kingdom. It is her most famous song and is a common cultural symbol for Hawaii.
George Jarrett Helm Jr. was a Native Hawaiian activist and musician from Kalama, Molokai, Hawaii. He graduated from St. Louis High School on Oahu in 1968. While at St. Louis, he studied under Hawaiian cultural experts John Keola Lake and Kahauanu Lake. In 1975, he joined the Hui Aloha ʻĀina organization on Molokai, and participated in the formation of the Protecting Kaho'olawe'auhana organization to end the U.S. Navy's bombing of the island. In 1976, he and nine activists occupied the island. On March 7, 1977, he left for Kaho'olawe and his whereabouts are unknown.
Mary Abigail Kawenaʻulaokalaniahiʻiakaikapoliopele Naleilehuaapele Wiggin Pukui, known as Kawena, was a Hawaiian scholar, author, composer, hula expert, and educator.
The Brothers Cazimero were a Hawaiian musical duo made up of Robert Cazimero on bass and Roland Cazimero on twelve string guitar. Robert also played piano as a solo musician. The Cazimeros got their start during the Hawaiian Renaissance with ukulele and slack-key guitarist Peter Moon's band, The Sunday Manoa, on their first recording, Guava Jam. Since that time, The Brothers Cazimero have released at least 36 recordings and three DVDs. For three decades, the group performed at the annual Lei Day Concert. They made their Carnegie Hall debut in 1989.
Benjamin Kapena Kalama was an American singer with a honey-voiced falsetto. He is credited with discovering and nurturing Alfred Apaka, and was part of several groups. Until the day Apaka died, Kalama was coaching and arranging music for him.
Edwin Mahiʻai (Mahi) Copp Beamer was a tenor falsetto singer, composer and hula dancer of Hawaiian ancestry. He was born in Honolulu in the Territory of Hawaii and is the grandson of Helen Desha Beamer. His father, Milton Hoʻolulu Desha Beamer Sr. was her son. Mahi's mother was Mildred Kaaloehukaiopuaena Copp Beamer. In 2006, Mahi Beamer was inducted into the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame. He was named a "Living Treasure of Hawaii" in 2008 by the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii, which has been recognizing Hawaii's treasures since 1976. He received the 1992 State of Hawaii Recognition Award for his musical contributions to the state and for perpetuating his grandmother's music. Beamer was the 1993 recipient of the David Malo award presented by Rotary International for his cultural contributions.
"Auntie" Alice Kuʻuleialohapoʻinaʻole Kanakaoluna Nāmakelua (1892–1987) was a Hawaiian composer and performer. Nāmakelua was also a kumu hula dancer and lei-maker. She was an expert performer of the slack-key guitar and a master of the Hawaiian language. Nāmakelua was a mentor of other musicians and wrote around 180 songs of her own. She was inducted into the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame in 2011.
Charles Edward King was an educator, Hawaii territorial legislator, and a songwriter who is most widely known as the composer of "Ke Kali Nei Au". King was inducted into the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame in 1995. Music historian George Kanahele regarded King as the "Dean of Hawaiian Music", although this sobriquet is more associated with John Kameaaloha Almeida.
Lena Machado was a Native Hawaiian singer, composer, and ukulele player, known as "Hawaii's Songbird". She was among the first group of musical artists honored by the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame in 1995. Noted for her use of the Hawaiian vocal technique of "ha'i," which emphasizes the transition between a singer's lower and falsetto vocal ranges, and her use of "kaona" when writing song lyrics, she entertained primarily in Hawaii and the mainland United States. She sold leis on the Honolulu piers as a child, and aspired to become a singer like the women she saw greeting incoming passengers. KGU radio manager Marion A. Mulroney discovered her as she sang in a mango tree next door to his home. She performed regularly on KGU, where Royal Hawaiian Band conductor Mekia Kealakaʻi heard her and hired her as a featured soloist in 1925. Her association with the Royal Hawaiian Band would last five decades. During World War II, she had her own radio show on KGU.
Bina Kailipaina Nieper Mossman was an American ukulele player, vocalist, composer, and Republican Party office holder. She also served as High Sheriff of Honolulu. She was tutored in music, and pronunciation of Hawaiian words, by deposed Queen Liliuokalani.
Emma Maynon Kaipuala Veary is a lyric Coloratura soprano born in Hawaii.
Kalani Peʻa is a three-time Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter of Hawaiian music. He released his first album, E Walea, in 2016, which won the 2017 Grammy award for Best Regional Roots Music Album. Peʻa released his second album, No 'Ane'i, in 2018, which won the Grammy Award for Best Regional Roots Music Album at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards.
Na Lani ʻEhā, translated as The Four Royals or The Heavenly Four, refers to the siblings King Kalākaua (1836–1891), Queen Liliʻuokalani (1838–1917), Princess Likelike (1851–1887) and Prince William Pitt Leleiohoku II (1854–1877). All four were composers, known for their patronage and enrichment of Hawaii's musical culture and history. All four of them organized glee clubs. William Pitt Leleiohoku II, the youngest brother who died at age 22, was a guitar master and leader of the Kawaihau Glee Club. Youngest sister Likelike was a musician and a co-founder of the Kaohuokalani Singing Club.
Danny "Kaniela" Kaleikini was an American singer, musical artist, and entertainer. Best known for his long-term residency at the Kahala Hilton in Hawaii, where he performed for 28 years, Kaleikini is often called "The Ambassador of Aloha". During his career of more than 50 years in show business, he was the opening act for Paul Anka at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, and performed alongside Sammy Davis Jr., Wayne Newton, Dolly Parton, Phyllis McGuire, and Don Ho. A baritone who sang Hawaiian songs and played the nose flute, Kaleikini gained international recognition for promoting Hawaiian music, language, and culture.
Haunani Kahalewai was a singer and entertainer known as the "First Lady of Song in Hawai‘i". Her distinctive contralto voice spanned three octaves. She was featured on dozens of recordings and headlined the Polynesian Review at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikiki. Kahalewai was inducted into the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame in 1996.
Beverly Kauiokanahele Noa was a Hawaiian hula dancer. Noa was the 1952 winner of the Miss Hawaii contest and was inducted into the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame in 2014.