DON HO: We Still Remember You

June 1, 2007-June 30, 2007
Location: Hawaiian & Pacific Collection

Special Collections pays tribute to the icon, the legend, the star, the man that has brought Hawai'i to the world. Check out our display of song books, articles, news and the music of one of Hawai'i's most memorable and loved local boy.

From the first story in the premiere issue (v.1 n.1) of Aloha magazine (January 1978) DON HO by Jeannette Paulson:

What is the allure of the man whom tourist have crowned the most famous star of the 50th state? What does he do on that stage that brings him so much fame and fortune. He must be doing something right.

He's packing them in to his two shows nightly, with sell-out crowds of about 550. That's over 300,000 a year who come to watch Don Ho "do his thing."

From The Honolulu Advertiser (April 2007) Legendary Crooner Brought Islands to the World by Dave Koga:

Said entertainer Danny Kaleikini: "Don brought Hawai'i to the world."

For many tourists, Ho had become a vacation constant. "I've met people who have come to Hawai'i 40 times and they've seen him every time," said comedian Andy Bumatai, who performed in Ho's last show.

In some ways, Ho's success defied logic. A self-taught musician who paid his dues at Honey's, a Kane'ohe bar owned by his parents, "he would be the first to admit he might not be the most talented one in the room," Bumatai said.

And yet ...

"I'd take people to Duke's to see him and after a couple of minutes, they'd say, 'What's with this guy? He can barely sing. He mumbles. Let's get the hell out of here,'" said Eddie Sherman, the former columnist. "I'd say, 'Just wait a while,' and two hours later they're standing there telling me this is the best show they've ever seen. "That was the mystery. He had a unique gift. He was able to reach people in a way few others could do."

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