# 49th State Hawaii record company

The 49th State Hawaii Record Company is a defunct Hawaiian record label specializing in traditional Hawaiian music. Established in 1948 by George K. Ching, the label was purchased by Cord International in the early 1990s.

## History

The 49th State Hawaii Record Company was founded in Honolulu, Hawaii by record store owner George K. Ching in 1948. The label was named in anticipation of Hawaii's eventual attainment of statehood, though Alaska gained statehood eight months before Hawaii, making Hawaii the 50th state. Ching founded the label to answer the growing demand for traditional Hawaiian music in his record store, with the first 49th State recordings released as 78 rpm records made using an acetate record cutting machine in a makeshift studio in Ching's own home. Later, production moved to initial recording on tape before later being pressed in vinyl. To guarantee authenticity in recorded performances, Ching collaborated with Hawaiian composer and musician Johnny Almeida, known as the "Dean of Hawaiian Music". Almeida served as the label's music director. 49th State served as a successor to Bell Records Honolulu, which released Hawaiian music between 1944 and 1950. By 1950, the headquarters for the label had moved from Ching's home to 1121 Bethel St, Honolulu. The company, which has been described as "the first, top, most significant, authentic label of Hawaii", was defunct by 1958.

### Purchase by Cord International

Cord International purchased the rights to The 49th State Hawaii record company and has restored and re-mastered many of the LPs released between 1948 and 1958. According to the May 18, 2015 obituary of Michael Cord:
   "In the 1980s, he noticed that many of the important old-time Hawaiian record labels had gone out of business and their releases were out of print. In 1991, [Cord] began leasing the rights to those old recordings and digitally restoring them for reissue. Among the Hawaii record labels Cord brought back to life were Bell, 49th State Hawaii, Mele, Trim, Tradewinds, and Gold Coin."
Another obituary for Michael Cord stated that the 49th State Hawaii Records label was among Cord's first acquisitions. The purchase was made in order to restore, remaster, and re-release the recordings, which by that point were out of print and in poor quality. Cord was quoted in the obituary, stating:
   "There was lots of noise-hisses and pops- and we wanted the listening experience to be just like it was when these recordings were brand new- only better."

## Recordings
### 45 rpm

| Performer(s) | Song title | Series/matrix # | Additional (conductor, composer, etc.) artist(s) |
| 49th State Hawaiians | Aloha In Hawaii | HRC-45-116-A | Violet Lee Silva |
| 49th State Hawaiians | Mi Nei - "How About Me?" | HRC-45-116-B | Chas. E. King |
| 49th State Hawaiians | Hilo March | HRC 45 339 B HCv | |
| Abraham Kalauli Konanui | Hawaiian Melody | 45-HRC-103-B | |
| Benjamin Rogers | Steel Guitar "C" Jam Boogie | HRC-45-275-B | Benjamin Rogers at the Hawaiian Steel Guitar |
| Benny (Benjamin) Rogers | Moana Chimes | | Johnny Noble |
| Clara "Hilo Hattie" Inter | Pidgin English Hula | HRC-176-B | Charles E. King |
| Danny Kalama and his Island Serenaders | Pua Tubarose | HRC-333-B | C.E. King |
| Doddy & His Serenaders | Kona Kai O Pua | RR - J80 W - 1403 | Vocal by Kelii Chun with Menehune Maidens |
| Doug Alii with The Royal Samoans | Tomi Tuli | HRC-387-A | Mulitauaopele |
| Emma Kahelelani Bishop | Kawika | HRC-205B | |
| Emma Kahelelani Bishop with Julia Nui's Kamaainas | Ka Momi O Hawaii Nei | HRC-203B | Emma Kahelelani Bishop |
| Farden Sisters | Laupahoehoe | HRC 337A | Irmgard, Emma, Edna, Maude, Diane; Lyricist: Mary Puku'I, Irmgard Aluli, N. Bacon |
| Farden Sisters | Leis | 45-HRC-313-B | Irmgard, Emma, Edna, Maude, Diane, Emma K. Sharpe |
| Genoa Keawe | Aloha Oe (Farewell to Thee) | HRC-354-B | Music: John K. Almeida and His Hawaiians, Queen Lilioukalani |
| Genoa Keawe | My Sweet Gardenia lei | 45-HRC-244-A | Genoa Keawe's Hula Maids, Lena Machado |
| Genoa Keawe and her Hawaiians | Hulu Manu | 45-HRC-306-B | Richard Kamai |
| Genoa Keawe and her Hula Maids | Sea Breeze - "Pua Mana" | 45-HRC-306-A Re 1 | Music by John K. Almeida's Hawaiians, Hoffman-Manning-Aluli |
| Genoa Keawe and her Hula Maids | Ka Mano O Kalani Po | HRC 336 A | K. Zuttermeister, E. Furtado |
| Genoa Keawe and son Gary Ako | Hawaiian Wedding Song (Ke Kali Nei Au) | HRC-353-B | Music by John K. Almeida and His Hawaiians, Chas. E. King |
| Genoa Keawe with her Hula Maids | Magic Hands | HRC-45-277-B | Danny Stewart-Paul Chicareli |
| Genoa Keawe with her Hula Maids | Kila Kila O Haleakala | HRC-45-277-A | |
| George Naʻope | Ancient Chants | 45-HRC 299B | |
| George Naʻope | Ka' Uwila Make Nei | HRC-354-A (RR H80W 1547) | Music: Albert Ahuna and His Hawaiians |
| George Naʻope with Genoa Keawe's Hula Maids | It's Just An Old Hawaiian Custom | 45-HRC-242-A | Johnny Noble |
| George Naʻope with Her Hula Maids | Not Pau | 45-HRC-247-A | Ray Kinney |
| George Naʻope with The Menehune Maidens | Kahi Mea I Aloha Ia | RRK80 W-1115, HRC-353-A | Music by Tropical Serenaders, Ulumahiehie |
| Ginny Kam | Hula Hula Hoops Dee Doo | 45-HRC-313-A | John K. Almeida's Music, Ginny Kam |
| Harmony Isles Group | Hawaiian Instrumental Medley 4 | 45-HRC-244-B | |
| Harmony Isles Group | Tiari No Tahiti | HRC-387-B | |
| Harmony Isles Group | Hawaiian Instrumental Medley - 6: (1) My Yellow Ginger Lei, (2) Halona, (3) Kuu Ipo Pua Rose | 45-HRC-247-B | |
| Henry Kaalekahi | Hookipa Paka - Maunawili | HRC-96-B | |
| Ivi Pele and The Royal Samoans | Gogu A Togi | HRC-383-A | Mulitauaopele |
| Ivi Pele and The Royal Samoans | Drums of Samoa | HRC-383-B | Mulitauaopele |
| Ivi Pele and The Royal Samoans | Migoi Migoi | HRC-384-A | Kuka Tuitama |
| Ivi Pele and The Royal Samoans | Fa'apei Ona Naunau | HRC-384-B | Mulitauaopele |
| Ivi Pele and The Royal Samoans | Slap Dance - O le alofa I la'u manu | HRC-386-A | |
| Ivi Pele and The Royal Samoans | Apia Drums | HRC-386-B | Mulitauaopele |
| Ivi Pele and The Royal Samoans | Tele I'A O Le Sami | HRC-382-A | Tuiteleapaga |
| Ivi Pele and The Royal Samoans | Pologa Ua Fai | HRC-382-B-RE | Mulitauaopele |
| Joe Kahaulelio | No Luna E Kahelekai | HRC 336 B | |
| Joe Kahaulelio | Chant: Ku I Molokai | HRC 327 B | |
| Joe Kahaulelio and his Hawaiians | Eleu Mikimiki | HRC 335 A | C.E. King |
| Joe Kahaulelio and his Hawaiians | Ia Oe Eka La | HRC 333 A | |
| Joe Keawe and his Harmony Hawaiians | My Little Grass Shack | HRC-96-A | Cogswell-Harrison-Noble |
| Joe Keawe and his Harmony Hawaiians | Nani Molokai | HRC 45 338 B HC | Hanakahi-Ah Yat |
| Joe Keawe and his Harmony Hawaiians | Hookipa Paka | HRC 331 B | Vocal: Joe Keawe and his Harmony Hawaiians, Alice Johnson |
| Joe Keawe with Julia Nui's Kamaainas | Kaneohe | HRC 335 B | |
| John K. Almeida with Genoa Keawe, Agnes Malabey and Wenonah Almeida | Alekoki | HRC-230-A | Kalakaua-Alohikea |
| John K. Almeida with Genoa Keawe's Hula Maids | Hukilau | HRC-45-275-A | Vocal by: John K. Almeida with Genoa Keawe's Hula Maids, Jack Owens |
| John K. Almeida with Hawaiian dance band | Ho'oluana Na Pua Like Ole | HRC-344-B | |
| John K. Almeida with Hawaiian dance band | Kuu Leilani | HRC-343-B | John K. Almeida |
| John Piilani Watkins with Hana's Heavendly Hawaiians | Waikaloa | 45-HRC-517 | John P. Watkins |
| John Piilani Watkins with Hana's Heavenly Hawaiians | The Hana Ranch | 45-HRC-518 | Lyn Stauffer |
| Johnny Almeida | Kuwili | HRC-45-87-A-RE-1 | Genoa Keawe's Hula Maids |
| Johnny Almeida and his Hawaiians | Hula O Maki | EP-29A | Vocal, John Piilani Watkins with Genoa Keawe's Hula Maids, Jas. C. Kaapuiki |
| Johnny Almeida and his Hawaiians | Across the Sea | EP-29A | Vocal by June Ululani Leite, E. Kaai-J. Noble |
| Johnny Almeida and his Hawaiians | Pagan Love Song | EP-29B | Brown-Freed |
| Johnny Almeida and his Hawaiians | King's Serenade | EP-29B | Benjamin Rogers at the Hawaiian Steel Guitar, C.E. King |
| Johnny Almeida and his Hawaiians | Lovely Hula Hands | EP-HRC-30-A | R. Alex Anderson |
| Johnny Almeida and his Hawaiians | It's Just An Old Hawaiian Custom | EP-HRC-30-A | Benjamin Rogers at the Hawaiian Steel Guitar, Johnny Noble |
| Johnny Almeida and his Hawaiians | Beautiful Mahealani Moon | HRC-EP-30-B | John K. Almeida |
| Johnny Almeida and his Hawaiians | Anapau | HRC-EP-30-B | Benjamin Rogers at the Hawaiian Steel Guitar, Alvin Kaleolani |
| Johnny Almeida and his Hawaiians | Beyond the Reef | EP-HRC-31-A | Vocal by June Ululani Leite, Jack Pitman |
| Johnny Almeida and his Hawaiians | Hawaiian War Chant | EP-HRC-31-A | Vocal, Johnny Almeida and His Hawaiians, Freed-Noble-Leleiohaku |
| Johnny Almeida and his Hawaiians | On the beach at Waikiki | EP-HRC-31-B | Stover-Kalima |
| Johnny Almeida and his Hawaiians | Moana Chimes | EP-HRC-31-B | Benjamin Rogers at the Hawaiian Steel Guitar |
| Johnny Almeida with the Lei Momi Sweethearts | Kaulana Ke Kuahiwi O Haleakala - "To You, Oh, Mighty Haleakala" | HRC-53A 103-A | Alice Johnson |
| Johnny Piilani Watkins and his Paradise Serenaders | E Nani E | 45-HRC-309-B | Gertrude Kaanapu |
| Johnny Watkins and his Paradise Serenaders | Pua Carnation | 45-HRC-309-A | C.E. King |
| Joseph Solatoa | Minoi Minoi E | HRC-177-B | Genoa Keawe's Polynesians |
| June Ululani Leite | Beyond the Reef | HRC-203A | Jack Pitman |
| June Ululani Leite with Joe Keawe's Harmony Hawaiians | Hula Girl | HRC-230-B | |
| Keawehawaii's | Kealoha | RR - H8OW - 1045 / HRC-343-A | Vocal by Leilani Alama with Menehuna Maidens, Liko Johnston |
| Kent Bowman | Little Lei Puahi (Little Red Riding Hood) | HRC-45-251-A | |
| Mrs. Anna Kahalelehua Hall | Kawika | HRC-92-B | |
| Nora Keahi Santos | Show Me How They Do The Hula In Honolulu | HRC-183-A | |
| Pele Pukui | Nani Kilauea - "Beautiful Kilauea" | HRC 45 339 A HC | Kawena Pukui |
| Rainbow Serenaders | Sweet Hawaiian Chimes | HRC-183-B | |
| Tahiti Dances: To Drums Of Bora Bora And Papeete | Atamu | EP-39A | |
| Tahiti Dances: To Drums Of Bora Bora And Papeete | I Vaho | EP-39B | |
| Tahiti Dances: To Drums Of Bora Bora And Papeete | Maruru A Vau | EP-39A | |
| Tahiti Dances: To Drums Of Bora Bora And Papeete | Aratai | EP-39B | |
| Tahiti Dances: To Drums Of Bora Bora And Papeete | Toto To E | EP-39B | |
| Tahiti Dances: To Drums Of Bora Bora And Papeete | Ake | EP-40A | |
| Tahiti Dances: To Drums Of Bora Bora And Papeete | Tiare No Tahiti | EP-40A | |
| Tahiti Dances: To Drums Of Bora Bora And Papeete | Tiare Taporo | EP-40B | |
| Tahiti Dances: To Drums Of Bora Bora And Papeete | Mou'a | EP-40B | |
| Tanielu Hunkin and his Samoans | Samoan Dance - Lapapa, Sa-Sa | HRC 45 338 A HC | Tanielu Hunkin |
| The "K" Sisters | He Mea Nui Kealoha - "Love Is The Main Thing" | HRC 331 A | M. Robins, J. Noble |
| The "K" Sisters | Kuu Ipo Hua Pala | HRC 327 A | John K. Almeida |

### 78 rpm

| Performer(s) | Song title | Series/matrix # | Additional (conductor, composer, etc.) artist(s) |
| Al Kealoha Perry and his Singing Surfriders | Wiliwili Wai | 4707-2 | Vocal by Andrew Bright and Surfriders, Liliuokalani |
| Alice Johnson And Her Troupe | Kaulana Molokai | HRC 99B | Alice Johnson |
| Andrew Bright with Al Kealoha Perry and his Singing Surfriders | Hawaiian Cowboy | PRC 4707-1 | Sol K. Bright |
| Benny (Benjamin) Rogers | Panini Pua Kea | HRC-295-B | Benjamin Rogers at the Steel Guitar, John K. Almeida |
| Flora Waipa with Pua Almeida and his Polynesians | Beautiful Mahealani Moon | HRC-152 B | J.K. Almeida |
| Genoa Keawe and her Hawaiians | E Kuu Tutu | HRC-291-A | Genoa Keawe And Her Hawaiians, Mary K. Pukui, Madeline K. Lam |
| Genoa Keawe and her Hawaiians | Stevedore Hula | HRC-284-A | Genoa Keawe And Her Hawaiians, Bina Mossman |
| Genoa Keawe and her Hawaiians | Wailana | HRC-284-B | with Bina Mossman, Johnny Noble |
| Genoa Keawe and her Hawaiians | Lehua Puakea | HRC-286-A | with Bina Mossman |
| Genoa Keawe and her Hawaiians | Fireman Hula | HRC-287A | Genoa Keawe And Her Hawaiians, Kouwe-Noble |
| Genoa Keawe and her Hawaiians | Ka Iwa | HRC-292A | Genoa Keawe And Her Hawaiians, Mary K. Pukui, Madeline K. Lam |
| Genoa Keawe with John K. Almeida and his Hawaiians | Maile Swing | HRC 55-B | Genoa Keawe with John K. Almeida And His Hawaiians |
| Hawaiian Echoes | Papale Nui | HRC-156-A | The Hawaiian Echoes |
| Jimmy Moikeha | I'll Weave A Lei Of Stars | HRC 509 | Owens-Anderson |
| Jimmy Moikeha | Hawaii Ponoi | HRC 510 | Kalakaua-Berger |
| Jimmy Moikeha | Don't Play Aloha Oe When I Go | HRC 511 | Noble-Luekens |
| Jimmy Moikeha | God Bless America | HRC 512 | Irving Berlin |
| Jimmy Moikeha | Ke Kali Nei Au | HRC 507 | Charles E. King |
| Jimmy Moikeha | Hawaii Calls | HRC 501 | Hawaii's Own 11 year old "Bobby Breen", Harry Owens |
| Jimmy Moikeha | Na Lei O Hawaii | HRC 502 | Hawaii's Own 11 year old "Bobby Breen", Charles E. King |
| Joe Keawe and his Harmony Hawaiians | Kaimana Hila | HRC-72-B | Vocal by Genoa Keawe's Hula Maids |
| Joe Keawe and his Harmony Hawaiians | In A Canoe | HRC 99A | |
| Joe Keawe with John K. Almeida and his Hawaiians | Pua Lilia | HRC 55-A | Joe Keawe with John K. Almeida And His Hawaiians, Alfred Alohikea |
| John K. Almeida and his Hawaiians | E Naughty Naughty Mai Nei | HRC-49-B | The Lei Momi Sweethearts, Mel Peterson |
| John K. Almeida and his Hawaiians | Lovely Hula Hands | HRC-49-A | Vocal Chorus by Lei Momi Sweethearts, Alex. Anderson |
| John K. Almeida and his Hawaiians | My Yellow Ginger Lei | HRC-52-A | Featuring Joe Keawe and The Lei Momi Sweethearts, J. K. Keawehawaii |
| John K. Almeida and his Hawaiians | Naka - Pueo | HRC-52-B | Featuring Vocal by Joe Keawe and The Lei Momi Sweethearts, Sam Kalani Kaeo |
| John K. Almeida and his Hawaiians | Anapau | HRC-64-A | Vocal by Johnny Almeida and Julia Nui's Kamaainas, Alvin Kaleolani |
| John K. Almeida and his Hawaiians | Noho Paipai | HRC-64-B | Vocal by Johnny Almeida and Julia Nui's Kamaainas |
| John K. Almeida and his Hawaiians | Hinano None! | HRC-58-A | Vocal by Johnny Almeida |
| John K. Almeida and his Hawaiians | He Aloha No O Honolulu | HRC-58-B | Vocal Chorus by Julia Nui's Kamaainas |
| John Piilani Watkins | Hamoa | HRC-513 | Hana's Heavenly Hawaiians, John P. Watkins |
| John Piilani Watkins | Hana No Ka Oi | HRC-100-B | Hana's Heavenly Hawaiians, John P. Watkins |
| John Piilani Watkins with Hana's Heavenly Hawaiians | Heavenly Hana | HRC-519-B | Hana's Heavenly Hawaiians, John P. Watkins |
| John Piilani Watkins with Hana's Heavenly Hawaiians | Meka Nani Ao Kaupo | HRC-519 | Hana's Heavenly Hawaiians, John P. Watkins |
| John Piilani Watkins with Hana's Heavenly Hawaiians | Hana Chant | HRC 515 | Hana's Heavenly Hawaiians, John P. Watkins |
| John Piilani Watkins with Hana's Heavenly Hawaiians | Farewell, Hana Bids You Aloha | HRC 516 | Hana's Heavenly Hawaiians, John P. Watkins |
| John Piilani Watkins with Hana's Heavenly Hawaiians | Waikaloa | HRC 517 | Hana's Heavenly Hawaiians, John P. Watkins |
| John Piilani Watkins with Hana's Heavenly Hawaiians | The Hana Ranch | HRC 518 | Hana's Heavenly Hawaiians, Lyn(?) Stauffer |
| John Pilani Watkins and his Trio | Ka Pua U'I | HRC-291-B | John Pilani Watkins And His Trio, Bina Mossman |
| John Pilani Watkins and his Trio | He Ia Nui Kau | HRC-286-B | John Pilani Watkins And His Trio |
| John Pilani Watkins and his Trio | Manu O-O | HRC-287B | John Pilani Watkins And His Trio |
| John Pilani Watkins and his Trio | Kuu Home Aloha | HRC-292B | John Pilani Watkins And His Trio, Bina Mossman |
| Myrtle K. Hilo with Joe Keawe's Harmony Hawaiians | Baby Kalae | HRC 147- A | Myrtle K. Hilo with Joe Keawe's Harmony Hawaiians, Kuulei Kua |
| Myrtle K. Hilo with John K. Almeida and Joe Keawe's Harmony Hawaiians | Kila Kila O Haleakala | HRC 147-B | Myrtle K. Hilo with John K. Almeida and Joe Keawe's Harmony Hawaiians |
| Myrtle K. Hilo with Male Chorus featuring Joe Keawe and his Harmony Hawaiians | Mauna Loa | HRC-155-A | Myrtle K. Hilo with Male Chorus featuring Joe Keawe And His Harmony Hawaiians, Helen K. Parker |
| Pua Almeida and his Polynesians | A Oia | HRC-155-B | John K. Almeida with Pua Almeida And His Polynesians |
| Pua Almeida and his Polynesians | E Huli Hoi Mai | HRC-151 A | Madeline K. Lam |
| Rainbow Serenaders | Kalua (Who Will Her Lover Be) | HRC 197-A | Haunani, Lydia and Louise, Buddy Marciel-Bill Kalama, Ken Darby |
| Royal Hawaiian Girls' Glee Club | Hilo Hattie Does The Hilo Hop | HT 200 D | Clara "Hilo Hattie" Inter, Don McDairmid |

### 33 1/3 rpm

| Performer(s) | Song title | Series/matrix # | Additional (conductor, composer, etc.) artist(s) |
| 49th State Hawaiians | Haole Hula | LP-3321-A | R.A. Anderson |
| Genoa Keawe and her Hula Maids | Hanauma | HRC-LP-3328-B | Madeline K. Lam, Mary K. Pukui |
| Genoa Keawe and her Hula Maids | Kaloaloa | HRC-3307-A | John P. Watkins |
| Genoa Keawe and her Polynesians | My Tropical Baby | LP-3321-A | Louisa Kapu |
| Genoa Keawe's Hula Maids | My Waikiki Girl | HRC-LP-3328-A | Pitman-Magoon |
| Genoa Keawe's Hula Maids | Song Of The Eight Islands | HRC-LP-3328-A |
| Genoa Keawe's Hula Maids | Lani | HRC-LP-3328-B | Jack Pitman |
| Jimmy Moikeha with John K. Almeida's Hawaiians | Blue Hawaii | HRC-3307-B | Robin-Rainger |
| John Kamana and Simeon Bright | Hawaiian Scotchman | LP-3321-A | Sol K. Bright |
| Johnny Watkins with Genoa Keawe's Hula Maids | Aloha Wau Ia Oe | HRC-LP-3328-A | John P. Watkins |
| Johnny Watkins with Genoa Keawe's Hula Maids | Lola O'Brien The Irish Hawaiian | HRC-LP-3328-A |
| Johnny Watkins with Genoa Keawe's Hula Maids | Hula O Maki | HRC-LP-3328-B | James C. Kaopuiki |
| Johnny Watkins with Genoa Keawe's Hula Maids | Nuuanu | HRC-LP-3328-B |
| Julia Nui's Kamaainas with John K. Almeida's Hawaiians | Hula Lolo | HRC-3307-A | Aggie Auld |
| June Ululani Leite | Across the Sea | HRC-3307-B | Kaai-Noble |
| June Ululani Leite | Beyond the Reef | HRC-3307-B | Jack Pitman |
| Miriam Kaulupali and Pua Alani with John K. Almeida's Hawaiians | Ke Kali Nei Au | HRC-3307-A | Charles E. King |
| Nora Keahi Santos | Susie Anna | HRC-3307-A | Alice A. Ku |
| Samoan Chief Joseph Solatoa with Genoa Keawe's Polynesians | Tele I'a Ole Sami "Let Me Hear You Whisper" | LP-3321-B |
| Samoan Chief Joseph Solatoa with Genoa Keawe's Polynesians | Minoi Minoi E | LP-3321-B |
| Samoan Chief Joseph Solatoa with Genoa Keawe's Polynesians | Manini E | LP-3321-B |
| Samoan Chief Joseph Solatoa with Genoa Keawe's Polynesians | Goodbye, My Felini | LP-3321-B |