# Lani Kai

Lani Kai (born George Clarence Dennis James Von Ruckleman Woodd III; August 15, 1936 – August 29, 1999) was a Hawaiian singer and actor. He had a role in the Elvis Presley film Blue Hawaii and was a regular cast member of the television series Adventures in Paradise.

## Background

Kai was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. He was brother of Lee Woodd, and the half brother of Kalai Strode and Junelehua Robertson. His mother Lukia Luana, a Hawaiian princess, was married to actor Woody Strode. His brother Lee Woodd, who was also an actor, died on 19 September 2002.

### Death

He died on August 29, 1999, at a North Shore home of a friend, two weeks after his 63rd birthday.

## Music career

Kai got an early break on the Don Sherwood Show in San Francisco, California. In late 1959, his single "Now There Are None" / "Isle Of No Aloha" was released. In 1963, his album Island Love Songs was released. In November 1968, he was appearing live at the Hawaii-Five-O club with Al Lopaka and Nephi Hannemann.
In 1968, he had a single released on Don Ho's Hana Ho label.
In the late 1990s, he was working on an album with actor / singer Nephi Hannemann which was to be a follow-up to Hannemann's album The Polynesian Man but Kai died before it could come together.

### Compositions

His composition "Puka Shells" which was recorded by Rod Young made it to no 2 in the Hawaiian music charts in the mid-1970s. He also co-composed "The Poor People" with Cliff Muller. Another composition "Shells" was recorded by Keola Beamer and included on his album for George Winston's Dancing Cat Records, Wooden Boat album.

## Lani Kai discography

Singles :
| Title | Label & cat | Year | Notes # |
| "Beach Party" / "Little Brown Gal (Cha Cha Cha)" | Keen 1–2023 | 1959 | |
| "I'm Gonna Leave My Heart At Home" / "Batik" | Keen 82103 | 1959 | |
| "Isle Of No Aloha" / "Now There Are None" | Keen 5–2023 | 1959 | |
| "Pretty Little Nisei Girl" / "Tamoure'" | Chelan C-554 | 19?? | Lani Kai & The Shells |
| Malia" / "Flying Bird" | Hana Ho 1024 | 1968 | |
Albums :
| Album title | Label & cat | Year | Notes # |
| Island Love Songs | Decca DL 4334 | 1963 | |
| Hawaiian Magic (Featuring The Orchestra Of Lani Kai) | Diplomat Records D-2326 | 1964 | |
Various artists compilation albums :
| Song title | Album title | Label & catalogue | Year | Format |
| "Mystic Moon" | The International Vicious Society Vol. V | University Of Vice Records UOVR006 | 2011 | Vinyl LP |
| "I'm Gonna Leave My Heart At Home" | Cheesy Moments | Chrome Dreams | 2012 | CD |
| "I'm Gonna Leave My Heart At Home" | Saints and Sinners Vol 7 16 Obscure Rockin' Shots from Occident that will cut your head off!!! | Sheik LP-507 | 2012 | Vinyl LP |
| "I'm Gonna Leave My Heart At Home" | Teen Rockin' Party | Classics Records clcd 752 | 2014 | CD |
| "Beach Party" | Rockwool Rocker & Ruller Derudaf 2 | Rockwool A/S | | CD |
Compositions :
| Composition | Appears on album / single release | By artist | Label & catalogue | Year | Format | Notes |
| "Young Land" | Tiny Bubbles | Don Ho | Reprise RS 6232 | 1966 | LP album | |
| "This Young Land" | Don Ho And The Aliis Volume II | Don Ho | Reprise PRO 310 | 1967 | LP album | Credited co-writer Ralph Mathis |
| "This Young Land" |
| "Tu Tu Kane" | "Tu Tu Kane" / "The Windward Side (Of The Island)" | Don Ho | Reprise 0643 | 1968 | 7" Single | |
| "Shells" | Paddle, Two Paddle | Pat And His Paddlers | Kanaka KS-1001 | 1972 | LP Album | |
| "Tu Tu kane" | "Tu Tu Kane" / "Tutu Wahine" | Nephi Hannemann | El Leon Records ERS 45/103 | | 7" single | |
| "Tutu Wahine" | "Tu Tu Kane" / "Tutu Wahine" | Nephi Hannemann | El Leon Records ERS 45/103 | | 7" single | |
| "Shells" | Shells | The Surfers | Trim Records TLP-1979 | 1974 | LP Album | |
| "Tūtūkane" | Kū Ha‘aheo Kakou, E Nā Hawai‘i | Mel Amina | Hana Hou Records HHD 8819–4 | 1995 | Cassette album | |

## Film and television career

When he was 24 years old, he was picked for the television series Adventures in Paradise. He ended up with a role as Kelly the series from 1960 to 1962. He had also played the part of Carl Tanami in the 1961 film Blue Hawaii. Between the late 60s and early 70s, he appeared in a few Hawaii Five-O episodes. In one the episode The Joker's Wild, Man, Wild!, he played the part of Billy Hona. It also starred Beverlee McKinsey.

## Filmography
### Feature film

* Blue Hawaii (1961) - Carl Tanami
* The Late Liz (1971) - Manu (final film role)

### Television

* Adventures in Paradise - Episode: The Forbidden Sea - Khobu - (1 episode) (1960)
* Adventures in Paradise - Episodes: Various - Kelly Katimakaka, Kelly Kelimanaha, Kelly (26 episodes) (1960–1962)
* Hawaiian Eye - Episode: Go for Baroque - Johnny (1 episode) (1963)
* Hawaii Five-O - Episode: Yesterday Died and Tomorrow Won't Be Born - M.K. (1968)
* Hawaii Five-O - Episode: The Joker's Wild, Man, Wild! - Billy (1969)
* Hawaii Five-O - Episode: Most Likely to Murder - Lonnie Kahekili (1970)