Harold Hakuole Passes

Derrick Mau · From: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

Longtime guitarist/steel guitarist Harold Hakuole who performed at the Halekulani Hotel has passed at 80.

I had the prevledge to see Harold on the steel on a few occasions. He was truely one of the best.

Hawaii will miss you. Aloha Bruddah. Crying or Very sad

Hal Smith · From: British Columbia, Canada

Thanks for the information Derrick. Sad news and we can ill afford any more losses these days. Hope all is well with you; Aloha Hal

Roger Shackelton · From: MINNESOTA (deceased)

HI DERRICK,

Sorry to hear of Harold's passing.

Do you have any information on Harold's history as a musician? Which artists did he play with or record with? Did Harold record any instrumental tunes?

ROGER

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

I had heard that name, but didn't know much about him.

Jeff Strouse · From: Jacksonville, Florida, USA

I had the pleasure of meeting Harold at the Halekulani in 2002. I introduced myself and told him I loved steel guitar, and he came over and sat with me during the break. We chatted for quite a bit...he was a really nice guy.

George Keoki Lake · From: Edmonton, AB., Canada

See: "GONE HOME"

Don Kona Woods · From: Hawaiian Kama'aina

That smile marked Harold

Harold Kaheakulani Hakuole,passed away on November 30, 2010, 80 yrs., of Honolulu, a musician, died in Avalon Care Home. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by wife Doreen R., son James K., daughter Donnielen K. Cordero, stepson Robert Myers, stepdaughter Doreen Myers, seven grandchildren and a great-grandchild. Visitation: 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at Borthwick Mortuary. Services: 6 p.m. Aloha attire.

Ron Whitfield · From: Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA

Mat Rhodes · From: Lexington, KY, USA

In the last several years I visited Halekulani, I remember a similar looking gentleman who played a hollow body guitar and sang as well. When he'd speak between songs, he almost sounded like a college professor or professional radio announcer. Was this the same man?

Ron Whitfield · From: Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA

Matt, if he was sitting on stage then it was Walter Mookini, another nice guy steel player (to say the very least...), but Harold was in the same band. In recent years after Walter's passing Harold took over the lead spot but switched to rhythm.

Wally Pfeifer · From: Illinois, USA

I don't know if Keith Haugen ever played at the Halekulani but Matt's description sounds like it could be Keith. Keith sings, plays guitar, has taught at UH and has had a radio program. Just my opinion.
Wally

Derrick Mau · From: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

Aloha Matt,

You may have seen Harold performing at the Halekulani with Paul Kim, Helen Woodward, and sometimes Lem Aweau who also played steel guitar.

Roger,

Harold had his own group back in the 60's called "Harold Hakuole and the Villagers".

He did recordings with slack key artist Leonard Kwan, Noelani Mahoe, Linda Dela Cruz, and an album for RCA records called "Luau at Waikiki".

http://user.tninet.se/~acm886g/halekulani.htm

That's actually Sonny Kamahele on the far right; and looks like Benny Kalama in the middle. Paul Kim is not in the picture as stated at the bottom.

I think the audio and the picture are from two different times. That rhythm guitar strum sure sounds like classic Sonny Kamahele to me.

Don Kona Woods · From: Hawaiian Kama'aina

As you enter this sight:
http://user.tninet.se/~acm886g/halekulani.htm

In the first picture and under the Halekulani title, I
believe the players from left to right are: Harold Hakuole on steel, Walter Mo'okinia on rhythm and Helene Woodward on upright bass.

Helene was the only performer in Waikiki that could sing from memory Ho'o Kipa Paka. She was great. Cool

Aloha,

Don

Ron Whitfield · From: Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA

Jeff Strouse · From: Jacksonville, Florida, USA

Ron, if it's the LP I'm thinking of, it's a live recording from one of the Hilton Hawaiian Village floor shows. Ray Kinney is the vocalist. I haven't heard it in a while, but it's a good album (IMHO).

Ron Whitfield · From: Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA

Thanx, Jeff, I've seen that LP for many years and not heard it. I guess it'll never see a CD release so I'll snag a vinyl copy.

Derrick Mau · From: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

Hi Ron,

I don't know who put up the picture or the audio that went with the website.

Yeah, you're right . . . that's Walter in the middle sitting down. I completely forgot about him.

Ron Whitfield · From: Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA

Yeah, seems they had it close enuf for the folks back home...

I'd like to get the audio and hear who's playing what, how'd you get it?

Don Kona Woods · From: Hawaiian Kama'aina

Ron,

If you are interested in getting the album here is a website.

http://www.bothypress.com/music/lps/lpsV.html

He says Email me with your Order or Want List. I will get back to you shortly with availability and total price. I accept online payments using PayPal. I also accept checks or money orders for US orders.

VARIOUS ARTISTS: Luau At Waikiki - US (RCA LSP-2885) 1964 Stereo -- Ray Kinney, Master of Ceremonies, with Harold Hakuole & The Villagers, Nalani, and The Kuuipos; original Gatefold cover; tiny-coh; recorded live at the Long House at the Hilton Hawaiian Village; much of vinyl close to EX; EX/EX- $18

Aloha, Smile

Don

Derrick Mau · From: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

Just stumbled upon this website, so I don't know who is responsible for the pics or the audio that came with.

Not professionally done, but any photo's and audio of Harold is surely goin to be a treasure to have.

Mat Rhodes · From: Lexington, KY, USA

Alan Akaka · From: Hawaii, USA

Harold was a gifted musician who could play any instrument in a Hawaiian band. He had a keen ear and could mimic many musicians. I marveled how he could play such "fat" chords on the steel using just a thumb and single finger pick. He taught his band of many years ago to sing in 4 part harmony without writing out a score. Actually, Harold could not read music and did not know the name of the chords he played. He played what sounded right and what fit the melodic line. Harold was a great guy with a keen sense of humor who could make anyone laugh. He changed the lyrics on some songs when we didnʻt expect it and we were in stitches. A humble man never seeking the limelight, but who made an impact when on stage. Weʻll all miss him. Hereʻs a photo from the late 80ʻs of the Islanders at the Halekulani Hotel. (L to R: Benny Kalama, Harold Hakuʻole, Walter Moʻokini, Sonny Kamahele, Kaipo Asing and me kneeling)

Harold we will never forget you and all that you have done for Hawaiian music and all those who embrace it. God bless.

Ron Whitfield · From: Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA

Thanx for those shots, Matt.

Alan, your thots on Harold are much appreciated since you knew him better than most of us, and that LP cover shot is exceptional. Some real talent and history standing there, especially in those older faces that are now all gone to the big pa'ina in the sky.
Don't be such a stranger here, Alan, we need your input.

This was in today's paper, too bad they didn't include the printed pic of Harold the family provided.

Harold Kaheakulani Hakuole, 80, of Honolulu, died November 30, 2010, at Avalon Care Center. He was born August 8, 1930, in Honolulu. He is fondly remembered as a popular singer, arranger, recording artist, and musician known for his playing of the steel guitar, guitar, `ukulele, and bass. He performed in some of Hawai`i’s best known venues, including the Halekulani Hotel, with many of Hawai`i’s best and most famous artists. Harold was raised in Kalihi and went to St. Louis School. As messages of condolences come in from all over the world, we are reminded that for more than two decades, he did most of the arrangements for Hawaiian music recordings on the Tradewinds Records label. He also played on many recordings, including “Two Slack-Key Guitars,” which featured Gabby Pahinui and Leland “Atta” Isaacs. Noelani Kanoho Mahoe recalled that she first worked on a recording with Harold in 1958 and that he was subsequently involved in one way or another on every recording she produced. Others recalled that he was also very witty, a fun-loving man with a famous smile, and with whom everyone loved to perform. “Harold was one of the nicest, funniest, most sincere human beings I have ever known,” said New Jersey performer Bill Wynne, a frequent Hawai`i visitor, steel guitarist, and falsetto singer. Longtime friend and fellow singer/songwriter Keith Haugen said Harold had a repertoire of Hawaiian songs to be envied. “He was a musician’s musician, loved and admired by all.”
He retired after 30 years with Pan American Airlines and retired again after 15 years at the Kamehameha Schools.
Harold is survived by wife, Doreen; son, James (Jill Leong) Hakuole; daughter, Donnie-Len (Effren) Cordero; step-son, Robert Myers of Honolulu; step-daughter, Doreen Myers of Michigan; and seven grandchildren.
Memorial service will be held Tuesday, December 14, at Borthwick Mortuary. Visitation at 3:30; prayer service at 6 p.m., followed by a reception. Aloha attire.

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