Sons of Hawaii
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1960 |
| Founder | Gabby Pahinui |
| Defunct | 1992 |
| Headquarters | Honolulu , United States |
Area served | Hawaii, United States |
Key people | Gabby Pahinui, Eddie Kamae, Joe Marshall, David "Feet" Rogers, Dennis Kamakahi |
| Products | Hawaiian music albums and performances |
The Sons of Hawaii was a widely recognized Hawaiian music ensemble that gained popularity with general audiences from the 1960s through the 1990s.
History
Their debut performance took place in 1960 at the Sandbox venue in Honolulu, quickly establishing them as the highest-compensated Hawaiian band in the Islands. Their inaugural album, titled "Gabby Pahinui with The Sons of Hawaii," was issued in 1961.
The group was founded in 1960 by leader Gabby Pahinui, featuring original members Eddie Kamae, Joe Marshall, and David "Feet" Rogers. Each member contributed a rich background in Hawaiian music alongside influences from American swing, jazz, and Latin styles.
- Gabby Pahinui (slack-key guitar) brought over two decades of experience performing in clubs and had built a loyal fan base. He collaborated with numerous prominent bands and was known for hosting influential jam sessions.
- Eddie Kamae, acclaimed for his mastery of the ukulele and his incorporation of Spanish rhythmic elements, toured the continental United States as a solo performer.
- Joe Marshall (upright bass) was a seasoned instrumentalist and singer who had worked with some of Hawaii’s foremost musicians.
- David 'Feet' Rogers, a steel guitarist, was recruited at age 16 after being discovered by Kamae, Pahinui, and Marshall.
Following an initial breakup, the ensemble reunited during the mid to late 1960s with Kamae, Marshall, Rogers, Atta Isaacs, and Bobby Larson.
By the end of the 1960s, the lineup featured Kamae, Marshall, Rogers, Sonny Chillingworth, and Zulu, who gained recognition for his role on Hawaii Five-O. In 1970, they regrouped to produce another album including ukulele virtuoso Moe Keale.
The band played an instrumental role in the second wave of the Hawaiian Renaissance by breathing new life into traditional Hawaiian music. Kamae traveled extensively to rural communities where he learned from elders about both musical traditions and cultural significance. This journey included collaboration with Mary Kawena Pukui, a Hawaiian language specialist at Bishop Museum, which inspired Kamae’s lifelong dedication to Hawaiian cultural studies.
In 1973, Kamae reconstituted the group without Pahinui and incorporated young singer-songwriter Dennis Kamakahi, who later earned a Grammy award. This formation represented the fifth iteration of the band.
On November 16, 1985, Eddie Kamae and the Sons of Hawaii performed on A Prairie Home Companion, delivering songs such as "Hanakeoki," "E Hihiwai," and "Ulili E (Sandpiper)." This appearance is among their rare live recordings.
The seventh and final version of the group emerged in 1989 with members Kamae, Marshall, George Kuo, Braddah Smitty, Dennis Kamakahi; occasionally accompanied by Gary Haleamau and steel guitarist Paul Kim. After Joe Marshall passed away, Ocean Kaowili succeeded him on bass. The band concluded its activities when Kamae retired in 1992.