Alfred Apaka sings 2 old Hawaiian Songs

audio with some pictures.

"Old Hawaiian Love Songs" - Alfred Apaka with the Hawaiin Village Serenaders

"Humming Waters" - Alfred Apaka with Danny Stewart's Hawaiians

The legendary Alfred Apaka, already hugely popular in Hawaii, was getting ready to make a big splash on nationwide TV in America just before he died at a tragically young age in 1960. His beautiful smooth baritone earned him the name "The Golden Voice of Hawaii". He presents perhaps the finest example of hapa-haole music.

George Kanahele, in "Hawaiian Music and Musicians" writes that Apaka was:

"possessor of the one of the most remarkable voices to come out of Hawaii. A natural untrained voice, it was strong, masculine and agile -- a delicate instrument that could range from B flat to E in pianissimo ... Apaka's stature has continued to grow and, thanks to his devoted fans who still pay homage to his memory, it has assumed legendary dimensions."

Here is the Alfred Apaka entry at find-a-grave:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?GRid=6167292&page=gr

He was a frequent guest onthe popular radio show "Hawaii Calls". Henry Kaiser built a special performance venue ("the Tapa Room") for him at
the Hawaiian Village, where a statue stands today commemorating this superb performer. His influence reaches Hawaiian singers to this day,
mainly due to kids growing up with parents and grandparents playing his records.

recordings from the LP "Alfred Apaka sings The Hawaiian Wedding Song" (Decca LP DL74571) picture of this album included

go to this video to hear him sing a song in Hawaiian, "Na Moku Eha" (The Four Islands):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3Xyox2RQfs

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Alfred-Apaka
• Hawaiian-Songs
• hapa-haole
• HAWAIIANSONGS
• singing
• aloha
• music
• world-music
• Hawaii
• Hawaiʻi

[dkstojentin]

God, what a sweet voice. I found a best of album of his years ago and don't have it anymore, so thank you for putting this up. I'm going to make it a point to find his stuff now. It's so romantic and pretty.

[ethjr48]

I have several of Al's albums from the early 70s

[martinaxman]

@librarybob1958 :In 1985 while on honeymoon, I was chatting with some musicians on Hawaii, Kona I think. I asked who they'd recommend for the best of real Hawaiian music. Alfred Apaka was the first one they mentioned. I'd say he was Hawaii's musical superstar - at least on the islands. Thanks to HawaiiView for putting these up. I kept running into "High school musical" and it was getting me crazy. lol

[librarybob1958]

God, that smooth voice. Alfred Apaka died young, only about 40, just as he was on the edge of mainstream success. Had he lived longer, he, not Don Ho, would have been Hawaiian music's superstar.

[TerryComo2010]

Thank you for these. My family is from Hawaii from the 1800's, though my generation (50's) was born here in the states. I grew up being able to enjoy this great music and Mr. Apakas voice and I have become a self taught singer because of emulating him. There will never be another like him, so talented. Have many of his albums but appreciate your posts.

[almxx]

@muffa09 A masterpiece of understatement.

[muffa09]

Not bad .-.