# Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame

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.

## The Royal Patrons

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.
| Name | Birth–Death | Notes |
| 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. |
| 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 |
| Likelike | 1851–1887 | Princess of the Hawaiian Kingdom, mother of Princess Ka'iulani. Composer and sponsor of musical events. |
| Leleiohoku II | 1854–1877 | Prince and Heir Apparent of the Hawaiian Kingdom List of compositions and works by Leleiohoku |

## Meles & Songbooks

Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame Songs :
| Song title | Year | Notes |
| He Mele Aloha: A Hawaiian Songbook | 2018 | Published 2003 Editors: Vicky Hollinger, Kimo Hussey, Puakea Nogelmeier, Carol Wilcox |
| The Queen's Songbook | 2018 | Published 1999 Editors: Dorothy Kahananui Gillett, Barbara Smith and Hui Hanai |
| Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī | 2012 | State song of Hawaiʻi, written by King David Kalakaua and Henri Berger |
| ʻĀlika | 2002 | Words & music by Charles Ka'apa |
| Kalama'ula | 2002 | Words & music by Emma Kala Dudoit |
| Wehiwehi 'Oe | 2002 | Words & music by Sylvester Kalama |
| Hawaii Aloha | 1998 | Written by Rev. Lorenzo Lyons |
| Kaulana Na Pua | 1998 | Written by Ellen Wright Prendergast |
| Makalapua | 1998 | Written by Konia and Eliza Holt |
| Na Ali'i | 1998 | Written by Samuel Kauhiwi |
| Ua Like No A Like | 1998 | Written by Alice Everett |

## Institutions

Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame Institutions :
| Institution | Year | Notes |
| Kamaka Hawaii, Inc. | 2013 | Ukulele maker |
| Kawaiahaʻo Church | 2004 | Church of Hawaiian royal family |
| Kamehameha Schools | 2003 | Awarded for perpetuating Hawaiian music |

## Musical groups

Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame Groups :
| Name | Year | Notes |
| Hawaiian Room | 2019 | Musicians from the Lexington Hotel, New York City |
| Beamer ‘Ohana | 2018 | Nona, Keola, Kapono |
| Ho‘opi‘i Brothers | 2018 | Richard Ho‘opi‘i (b.1941) and Solomon Ho‘opi‘i (1935–2006) |
| Kahananui ‘Ohana | 2018 | Mother Dorothy Kahananui (c.1895–1984) and daughter Dorothy Gillett (1919–1996) |
| The Isaacs Ohana | 2017 | Alvin Kaleolani Isaacs and his sons: Alvin Issacs Jr., Leland “Atta” Isaacs, Norman Isaacs, |
| The Kanaka’ole Ohana | 2017 | Kekuhi Kanahele-Frias (mother), Pualani Kanaka'ole Kanahele (grandmother), Nalani Kanaka'ole (great aunt), Kaumakaiwa Kanaka'ole (daughter) |
| Halekulani Girls | 2015 | Alice Fredlund, Sybil Bright Andrews, Linda Dela Cruz |
| Hawaii Calls | 2014 | Radio show |
| 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. |
| Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau | 2012 | Recording artists |
| Olomana | 2011 | Founded in 1973 by Jerry Santos and Robert Beaumont |
| Richard Kauhi Quartet | 2010 | Formed by pianist Richard Kauhi in 1947 |
| Hui Ohana | 2009 | Formed by Ledward Kaʻapana with brother Nedward Kaʻapana, mother Tina Kaʻapana and cousin Dennis Pavao |
| Leo Nahenahe Singers | 2008 | Formed in 1962 by Noelani Kanoho Mahoe. Other members included |
| The Brothers Cazimero | 2006 | Duo formed in the 1970s |
| Kahauanu Lake Trio | 2005 | See Kahauanu Lake |
| Haili Church Choir | 2001 | Helped develop and promote Hawaiian music |
| The Royal Hawaiian Band | 1999 | Established in 1836 by Kamehameha III and still active playing on the grounds of Iolani Palace |

## Chanters

Relevant historical events coinciding with the time frame of the chanter prophesies:
* 1778–1779, Captain James Cook and crew become the first Europeans to visit Hawaii.
* 1809 Henry Opukahaia of Hawaii arrives in New Haven, Connecticut and begins Christian studies.
* 1810 Kamehameha I succeeds in unification of the Kingdom of Hawaii.
* 1819 Kamehameha II assumes the throne upon the death of his father, breaks the kapu by eating at the table with the women, orders destruction of the heiau worship sites of the old religion.
* 1820 Hiram Bingham I arrives in Hawaii with the first wave of Christian missionaries.
* 1824–1849 Epidemics of measles, mumps and whooping cough kill tens of thousands of Hawaiians.
Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame Chanters :
| Name | Birth–Death | Year | Notes |
| 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 |
| Akoni Mika | 1858–? | 2011 | Kauai chanter recorded by ethnomusicologist Helen Heffron Roberts in the 1920s |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Kapoukahi | | 2000 | Prophesied that Kamehameha I would be ruler over a united kingdom. |
| 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. |
| Hewahewa | c. 1774–1837 | 2000 | High priest under Kamehameha I and Kamehameha II, later converted to Christianity. Helped Ka'ahumanu and Keōpūolani end the kapus. |
| 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. |

## Individuals

Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame Individuals :
| Name | Birth–Death | Year | Notes |
| Jules Ah See | 1924–1960 | 2021-22 | Steel guitar virtuoso |
| Kihei de Silva | born 1949 | 2022 | |
| Mapuana de Silva | born 1949 | 2022 | Hula Kumu (teacher) |
| Kawaikapuokalani Hewett | | 2022 | Hula Kumu (teacher), songwriter |
| David Kalama | | 2022 | |
| Lorenzo Lyons | 1807–1886 | 2022 | Missionary, composer of "Hawaii Aloha" |
| Mary Pula'a Robins | | 2022 | Composer |
| Pua Haʻaheo | | 2019 | |
| Marta Hohu | | 2019 | |
| David "Feet" Rogers | 1935–1983 | 2019 | |
| Harry B. Soria Jr. | 1948–2021 | 2019 | |
| Emily Kau'i Zuttermeister | 1909–1994 | 2019 | |
| Saichi Kawahara | 1937–2019 | 2018 | |
| Richard “Babe” Bell | born 1945 | 2017 | Ceremonial conch shell blower |
| Krash Kealoha | 1949–2010 | 2017 | Actor, radio personality, real name (Victor Hoonani Opiopio) |
| Jacqueline "Skylark" Rossetti | 1954–2019 | 2017 | Radio personality |
| Kimo Kahoano | born 1948 | 2017 | Radio/TV personality |
| Karen Keawehawai’i | born 1947 | 2017 | Vocalist |
| Melveen Leed | born 1943 | 2017 | Actress, musical performer |
| Israel Kamakawiwoʻole | 1959–1997 | 2017 | Musical performer |
| Johnny Noble | 1892–1944 | 2016 | Musician, composer and arranger |
| Jean “Kini” Sullivan | died 2008 | 2016 | Recording industry producer & translation credits for Hawaiian songs. |
| John Kaimikaua | 1958–2006 | 2016 | Hula instructor, Hawaiian culture expert, founder of the Moloka'i Ka Hula Piko festival |
| Mamo Howell | 1929–2020 | 2016 | Dancer, model, fashion designer |
| Danny Kaleikini | 1937–2023 | 2016 | Live entertainer and musician, actor |
| Jerry Byrd | 1920–2005 | 2015 | Lap steel guitar |
| Lei Collins | 1913–1999 | 2015 | Songwriter, Violet "Aunty Lei" Collins |
| O'Brian Eselu | 1955–2012 | 2015 | Singer, kumu hula |
| Lokalia Montgomery | 1903–1978 | 2015 | Authority on ancient Hawaiian culture, curator of Huliheʻe Palace; State of Hawaii's Order of Distinction for Cultural Leadership |
| Darrell Lupenui | 1952–1987 | 2015 | Kumu hula |
| Thaddius Wilson | c. 1952–2004 | 2015 | Kumu hula |
| Sonny Chillingworth | 1932–1994 | 2014 | Slack-key guitar, vocalist |
| Lani Custino | 1932–1998 | 2014 | Hula dancer, vocalist, daughter of Vickie K. I'i Rodrigues |
| Edith Kawelohea McKinzie | 1925–2014 | 2014 | Author, genealogy, hula and chant expert, professor of Hawaiian studies. |
| Beverly Noa | 1933–2017 | 2014 | Miss Hawaii 1952, hula dancer |
| Puakea Nogelmeier | born 1953 | 2014 | Songwriter, Kumu Hula, and Associate Professor of Hawaiian Language at the University of Hawaii |
| Don Ho | 1930–2007 | 2013 | Singer |
| Matthew H. Kane | 1872–1920 | 2013 | Composer |
| Iolani Luahine | 1915–1978 | 2013 | Kumu hula, dancer, chanter and teacher, who was considered the high priestess of the ancient hula |
| Napua Stevens | 1918–1990 | 2013 | Hawaiian entertainer, singer, hula dancer, musician, teacher, radio-TV personality, producer and author |
| Harry Owens | 1902–1986 | 2012 | Composer of "Sweet Leilani" |
| George Kainapau | 1905–1992 | 2012 | Falsetto singer |
| George Naʻope | 1928–2009 | 2012 | Kumu hula master |
| Joseph Ilalaole | 1873–1965 | 2011 | Hula instructor, with ties to Queen Emma of Hawaii |
| Benny Kalama | 1916–1999 | 2011 | Vocalist, musician, musical director of Hawaii Calls, arranger for Alfred Apaka |
| Sam Li'a Kalainaina | 1881–1975 | 2011 | Big Island performer and promoter, composer known as "the poet of Waipio Valley" |
| Alice Nāmakelua | 1892–1987 | 2011 | Kumu hula, lei maker, slack key guitar performer |
| Pat Namaka Bacon | 1920–2021 | 2010 | Author and scholar of Hawaiian culture, adopted daughter of Mary Pukui |
| Andy Cummings | 1913–1995 | 2010 | Composer who wrote "Waikiki" |
| Ernest Kaʻai | 1881–1961 | 2010 | Ukulele virtuoso |
| Keali'i Reichel | born 1961 | 2010 | Vocalist, composer |
| 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" |
| Dennis Kamakahi | 1953–2014 | 2009 | Composer, vocalist, slack key guitarist |
| Ma'iki Aiu Lake | 1925–1984 | 2009 | Hula master |
| Kui Lee | 1932–1966 | 2009 | Composer, recording artist |
| Joseph Ae'a | 1846–1911 | 2008 | Musician, composer, member of the Royal Hawaiian Band; agent of Her Majesty Liliuokalani |
| 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 |
| Anuhea Audrey Brown | 1922–2011 | 2008 | Musician composer, singer, pianist with the Haili Church Choir |
| Thomas Kihei Desha Brown | 1925–1978 | 2008 | Falsetto singer, musician, band leader |
| Alice Angeline Johnson | 1912–1982 | 2008 | Composer known as "The Song Bird of Maui" |
| 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 |
| Albert Po'ai Nahalea Sr. | 1910–1970 | 2008 | Composer, Minister of Music, Haili Church Choir |
| Palani Vaughan | 1944–2016 | 2008 | Recording artist |
| Bill Ka'iwa | 1934–2011 | 2007 | Recording artist |
| Jesse Kalima | 1920–1980 | 2007 | Ukulele virtuoso, vocalist |
| Eddie Kamae | 1927–2017 | 2007 | Ukulele virtuoso |
| Donald McDiarmid Sr | 1898–1977 | 2007 | Founder of Hula Records, composer, member of Harry Owens band. |
| Peter Moon | 1944–2018 | 2007 | Vocalist and musician who began in the 1960s with Sunday Manoa |
| Marlene Sai | born 1941 | 2007 | Recording artist discovered by Don Ho |
| John Pi'ilani Watkins | 1928–1983 | 2007 | Falsetto Hall of Fame member, hula master, a judge at the Merrie Monarch Festival |
| Mahi Beamer | 1929–2017 | 2006 | Falsetto singer |
| 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 |
| Linda Dela Cruz | 1929–2007 | 2006 | Falsetto singer, activist for native Hawaiian rights |
| Nina Keali`iwahamana | born 1936 | 2006 | Vocalist |
| Emma Veary | born 1930 | 2006 | Vocalist with operatic range, performed in various venues in Waikiki. Noted for her rendition of Kamehameha Waltz |
| Alfred Alohikea | 1884–1936 | 2005 | Kauai musician, composer; married to Lizzie Alohikea |
| Bill Ali'iloa Lincoln | 1913–1989 | 2005 | Falsetto singer |
| Henry W. Waia'u | 1889–1949 | 2005 | Composer |
| Kahauanu Lake | 1932–2011 | 2004 | Composer, musician prominent in the Waikiki music scene |
| Ray Kinney | 1900–1972 | 2002 | Vocalist who performed across multiple media. Discovered other performers such as Alfred Apaka and Eddie Kamae. |
| Gabby Pahinui | 1921–1980 | 2002 | Vocalist, slack key guitarist, recording artist |
| Genoa Keawe | 1918–2008 | 2001 | Falsetto singer, recorded in the Hawaiian language for 49th State Records |
| Maddy Lam | 1910–1985 | 2000 | Composer, vocalist with Alfred Apaka and Webley Edwards |
| John Kameaaloha Almeida | 1897–1985 | 1998 | Recording artist, composer of what have become standards of Hawaiian music |
| Irmgard Farden Aluli | 1911–2001 | 1998 | Composer, wrote "Puamana" |
| Robert Alex Anderson | 1894–1995 | 1998 | Composer of "Lovely Hula Hands", "Mele Kalikimaka" and many others |
| Bina Mossman | 1893–1990 | 1998 | Composer, organized the first Hawaii girls glee club |
| David Nape | 1870–1913 | 1998 | Composer, member of the Royal Hawaiian Band |
| Albert "Sonny" Cunha | 1879–1933 | 1996 | Composer, the first one to popularize Hawaiian songs with English lyrics ("Hapa-Haole") |
| Sol Hoʻopiʻi | 1902–1953 | 1996 | Steel guitar player |
| Alvin Kaleolani Isaacs | 1904–1984 | 1996 | Original band leader of the Royal Hawaiians, composed over 300 songs |
| Haunani Kahalewai | 1929–1982 | 1996 | Mezzo-soprano who was a featured vocalist with Alfred Apaka |
| Mekia Kealakaʻi | 1867–1944 | 1996 | Bandmaster of the Royal Hawaiian Band |
| Alfred Apaka | 1919–1960 | 1995 | Baritone singer who popularized romantic Hawaiian ballads during the 1950s. |
| Helen Desha Beamer | 1882–1952 | 1995 | Composer and recording artist |
| Henri Berger | 1844–1929 | 1995 | Led the Royal Hawaiian Band from 1872 until his death. Wrote the melody to Kalakaua's song Hawaii Ponoi. |
| Sol K. Bright Sr. | 1909–1992 | 1995 | Recording artist and composer of "Hawaiian Cowboy", "Sophisticated Hula" and "Polynesian Love Song" |
| Joseph Kekuku | 1874–1932 | 1995 | Inventor of the steel guitar |
| Charles E. King | 1874–1950 | 1995 | Composer |
| Lena Machado | 1903–1974 | 1995 | Vocalist, composer, soloist with the Royal Hawaiian Band |
| Mary Pukui | 1895–1986 | 1995 | Author of the Hawaiian Dictionary, chanter, composer |
| Vickie I'i Rodrigues | 1912–1987 | 1995 | Vocalist who translated lyrics between the Hawaiian and English languages |