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Larry Miller
Akahai
USA
65 Posts |
 Posted - 04/22/2006 : 08:14:13 AM
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I recall that in 1962, I was working as a DJ for K-LEI in Kailua. For a while, we played Hawaiian music on the air. Thus, I discovered Honey's in Kaneohe, and was regular there for the next couple of years.
Don Ho's band, as I recall, included Sonny Chillingworth on guitar, Gabby on steel guitar and guitar; Tony Bee on ukulele, and Gary Aiko on bass.
They all sang harmonies behind Don, and would take solo turns, the high point being Gabby doing Hi'ilawe and Sonny doing Whee-ha swing.
Memory is vague, but I recall that when Don moved over to Duke's with a new band, Gabby formed the Sons of Hawaii with Eddie Kamae, David Rogers and Joe Marshall.
Sonny formed a group and continued performing, and recorded the Waimea Cowboy album. I was in process of leaving for the mainland around that time, and am not sure who was with him at that point, but I've always theorized that it was Tony and Gary. The liner notes gave no clues.
I had begun playing guitar and slack key while going to Hilo High during the 50s, and got a chance to learn some good guitar tricks from Gabby and Sonny, who I got to be friends with during those good old days at Honey's. We didn't much care for Don's shtick, but put up with it to get to hear Gabby and Sonny together.
If there is anyone on this list who was around then and can add more comments on those great nights at Honey's (and the Sunday afternoon jam sessions!), I'd love to hear your memories as well.
Larry Miller
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Whee ha!
Larry M |
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KenL
Aloha
USA
7 Posts |
Posted - 04/30/2006 : 09:02:03 AM
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Larry, I remember K-Lei. Mellow. I was still in high school but I also remember Honey's Lounge in Kaneohe and later Kuhio Ave. Were you ever part of the wild hook and jab sessions in the parking lot out back? I also remember Don Ho's tv show with the gang. Simple stuff but really entertaining. Like you, slack key really made an impact on me with people like Gabby, Sonny, Raymond, Leonard and others on the jukeboxes and radio during that time. Sweet memories, yeah?  |
Manapua no ka oi |
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Auntie Maria
Ha`aha`a
USA
1918 Posts |
Posted - 04/30/2006 : 1:59:23 PM
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What goes around, comes around...
Honey's is now located downstairs in the Ko`olau Golf Clubhouse -- and Sunday afternoons is kanikapila time again. The "regulah band" (barring out of town gigs) is usually Mike Kaawa, Ocean Kaowili, Analu Aina and Paul Kim (on steel), with Eddie Kamae sitting in on `ukulele. The gang (and the talent who shows up in the audience) plays from 3-ish to 6-ish -- and then you can make the short drive to Hawai`i Kai and enjoy Led Kaapana jammin' on the waterfront at Kona Brewing Company.
It's a _glorious_ way to spend a Sunday afternoon!  |
Auntie Maria
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My "Aloha Kaua`i" radio show streams FREE online every Thu & Fri 7-9am (HST)
www.kkcr.org - Kaua`i Community Radio
"Like" Aloha Kauai on Facebook, for playlists and news/info about island music and musicians!
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Kiwini
Lokahi
USA
203 Posts |
Posted - 04/30/2006 : 9:05:15 PM
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I wasn't around at Honey's way back then but I was there just 30 minutes ago. Eddie Kamae, Mike Ka'awa, Mel Amina and the bass player who's name escapes me at the moment, took the stage and just like Fran mentioned in another post, played such great backyard kanikapila style of which the likes are hard to come by. Free and loose, interspersed with stories from the old days of playing with Gabby and Sonny, originals that have never been recorded, ahh what a night. Mike graciously played a song in celebration of me and my wife's wedding anniversary. The song was written by his mother that spoke of the love between her and her husband, Mike's dad. What an honor it was. Mahalo nui, Mike. Music was great and the Mochiko Chicken was onolicious!! Didn't make it into Hawai'i Kai to see Led (opted for babysitting the mo'opuna). We'll save Led for next Sunday.
Yesterday, Spam Jam. Today, Honey's. Tomorrow, Matsumoto's!! |
Me Ke Aloha,
Steve |
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Fran Guidry
Ha`aha`a
USA
1579 Posts |
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Russell Letson
`Olu`olu
USA
504 Posts |
Posted - 05/01/2006 : 11:39:29 AM
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| Larry, I don't suppose you'd like to expand on your recollections (here or off-line)? There's a spot in Chapter 2 of Aloha Guitar just made for some details of that place and those days, right after Kiki's recollection of meeting Sonny when he was playing with Don Ho. Ideally, I'd like to have phone chat about this, but whatever you're willing to do is fine with me. You can e-mail me through TaroPatchnet or directly at rletson @ cloudnet.com. |
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Kiwini
Lokahi
USA
203 Posts |
Posted - 05/01/2006 : 8:01:28 PM
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| Fran, it looks like Pilioha won't be at the Aku Bone for the remainder of our stay. I have one chance to catch them at the International Marketplace which I will definitely try to do. I've met Ray and heard him play at the Elegant Dive and I really enjoyed that. I'll be seeing him again before we leave. I'm looking forward to Wednesday nite at the Hilton as I do their Friday night fireworks. Thanks for the TGIF tip. |
Me Ke Aloha,
Steve |
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slkho
`Olu`olu
740 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2006 : 4:17:01 PM
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Yup, I too was not there back in '62 but I did play there with Eddie's Kamai's band last May...what a thrill to play along side Eddie, Mike Kaawa, and the rest of the boys. Ledward dropped by later the same evening and wow'd everyone as well. Unfortunately, I was only 4 in '62
~slkho |
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Larry Miller
Akahai
USA
65 Posts |
Posted - 05/04/2006 : 04:09:16 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Russell Letson
Larry, I don't suppose you'd like to expand on your recollections (here or off-line)? There's a spot in Chapter 2 of Aloha Guitar just made for some details of that place and those days, right after Kiki's recollection of meeting Sonny when he was playing with Don Ho. Ideally, I'd like to have phone chat about this, but whatever you're willing to do is fine with me. You can e-mail me through TaroPatchnet or directly at rletson @ cloudnet.com.
Russell:
I just sent an email to your address, with some pictures. I'd be glad to try to recall as much as I can and write something for you.
If there's a photo archive for this list, I'll send the picture of the Don Ho band there too.
Larry |
Whee ha!
Larry M |
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Russell Letson
`Olu`olu
USA
504 Posts |
Posted - 05/04/2006 : 07:38:15 AM
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| Larry: I'm tickled to see the photos--and glad you alerted me here, since my spam filter saw the heading "Honey's" and took it for, well, you can imagine. I grabbed the message before it could be consigned to the bit bucket. I'm e-mailing you with a follow-up. Many thanks--and you haven't heard the last of me. |
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