Aloha Leina'ala

Derrick Mau · From: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

I've just received sad news from local entertainers that long time Hawaiian singer Leina'ala Haili has died. Here's a photo from one of her albums.

Jeff Au Hoy · From: Honolulu, Hawai'i

That is sad news. Her recordings have been and continue to be a good part of my "homework" assignments. I can't think of anyone past or present that has a voice like her's. Benny Sak's arrangements presented her in a light that was contemporary for its day (1960's). They sound period now but still oh so groovy. She had this youthfulness to her voice in all of her recordings, on which Billy Hew Len often played steel.

Jeff Au Hoy · From: Honolulu, Hawai'i

Here is the Honolulu Advertiser obituary:

Posted on: Friday, April 15, 2005

Vocalist Jessie Leinaala Haili dead at 82

By Wayne Harada

Advertiser Entertainment Writer
Jessie Leinaala Haili, a longtime Hawaiian performer and recording artist known
for her "ha'i," or the female equivalent of falsetto singing, died Sunday in
Mililani. She was 82.

"Auntie Lei was one of the reasons I took up singing ha'i," said Amy Hanaiali'i
Gilliom. One of Haili's last prominent appearances was a concert with Gilliom at
the Hawai'i Theatre in April 2002.

"We toured together, with Auntie Genoa Keawe and Auntie Kealoha Kalama, to San
Diego, Seattle, Oakland and Maui, and there will never be another voice like
Auntie Lei's," said Gilliom, who said she learned a lot from Haili's early
recordings. Haili was "a blood auntie" to Gilliom, so they were related.

"She was such a source of knowledge and inspiration, not only from the music
side, but in the way she lived life as a true Hawaiian," said Bobby Moderow Jr.,
a member of the vocal group Maunalua whom she befriended years ago. "She became
kind of a grandmother to me, and we got to know her well after she came to see
us with her daughter, Mapuana, when we performed at Roy's."

Haili also recorded with Maunalua and impressed their recording engineer, David
Tucciarone, who said she had perfect pitch. "She was just amazing, being in her
80s, and I pray we leave a legacy even half of hers. She always told me to
perform Hawaiian music to the highest degree, and to always be true to the
songs."

Few knew Haili's rascal side, said Gilliom.

"When she was on tour with the aunties, she was a blast," said Gilliom. "She
wore these diva glasses. 'Auntie, you da bomb,' I told her. So kolohe. When she
did 'Keyhole Hula,' she wanted to strip on stage. I told her she cannot do that,
but she said, 'The song takes over - just gotta do it.' Even when she did a
Christmas special with us for TV, she wanted to strip on camera."

"She was a great singer and a good friend, and a big sister to me," said Kealoha
Kalama, her long-time friend.

Haili was a hostess and assistant manager at the old Garden Court restaurant at
the Ala Moana Liberty House for years.

Club-goers in the 1970s and '80s will recall Haili in shows at various venues,
mostly gone now, including Yoko's in Kapahulu, Don the Beachcomber's, the
Waikiki Lau Yee Chai, The Clouds and the Barefoot Bar, according to Lionel
Haili, a son.

In a 1973 interview with The Advertiser, Haili said she never had voice or music
lessons but taught herself to play 'ukulele and guitar. She was meticulous about
the songs she embraced and recorded over the years, and she favored the
traditional old Hawaiian classics.

"I just can't do any song. If a song does justice to my voice, I'll do it. And I
really prefer the old songs," she said.

Haili also was influenced by the late Lena Machado, a pioneering Hawaiian music
singer and composer.

In 2001, Haili won a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Hawai'i Academy of
Recording Arts, with Maunalua performing as part of the tribute.

Haili was born on Jan. 28, 1923, in Lahaina, Maui.

Survivors also include sons Danny Haili and John and Rodney Kaleialoha; a
sister, Becky Russo; 14 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. April 27 at Diamond Head Mortuary, where
services will be at 11:30 a.m. Inurnment will follow at 1 p.m. at Hawaiian
Memorial Park.

Mike Neer · From: NJ

Can't say I've ever heard her (that I know of), but she seems like quite an impressive lady. Lena Machado must have influenced every Hawaiian singer, no? She was THAT incredible. I like the part about Haili wanting to strip for the Christmas special...haha.

Jeff Au Hoy · From: Honolulu, Hawai'i

Here's a vinyl-to-mp3 courtesy of Derrick Mau. This is middle-aged Leina'ala Haili singing the old standard, "Kuwili"

Ray Montee · From: Portland, Oregon (deceased)

Thanks Jeff for sharing. What a beautiful voice. She too, will be missed.

Bill Creller · From: Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)

That was great Jeff. I was not aware of her before now sadly.

Warren Slavin · From: Southampton, PA, 18966. USA

Yes, another legend gone,

Thanks for the info Derrick -- I have that LP that you displayed on the forum - great one. Jeff's reply was also a great one, I never heard it before -- who was the steel player? She had a style and voice very similar to Lena Machado.

Warren

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Don Kona Woods · From: Hawaiian Kama'aina

Mahalo Derrick and Jeff.

Always sad to see the old timers moving on.

I loved the recording. Quality ole kine stuff. Nutin no bettah.

Keep that stuff coming. I have always been hooked on it.

Aloha,
Don

Jeff Au Hoy · From: Honolulu, Hawai'i

The steel player is Billy Hew Len, on either a Fender 400 or 1000.

A6 tuning, jumping to E13 and B11(B9) type sounds by use of the pedals.

My ears tell me that Billy is singing harmony as well. Makes sense, as there is no steel playing during the verses with vocal harmony.

[This message was edited by Jeff Au Hoy on 17 April 2005 at 11:22 PM.]

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