The Apaka legacy

Alfred Apaka, considered by many to be the Golden Voice of Hawaii, didn’t live long enough to hear his son Jeff Apaka sing. But there will be little doubt that Apaka passed his legacy on to his son at an Alfred Apaka Tribute held March 16 at Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort. Jeff Apaka, dressed in his father’s signature white apparel and red carnation lei, will lead a procession from the lobby to a bronze statue of Alfred Apaka which Hilton erected in 1997 to honor the singer, who was awarded a Na Hoku Hano­hano Lifetime Achievement Award and helped put its hotel and Hawaii tourism on the map.

A blessing and lei draping will take place at the statue, where the show will start. The music will then move to the resort’s Tapa Bar, just steps from where Alfred Apaka’s showroom once stood and where the younger Apaka performs each Sunday.

"The only musical performance of mine that he ever heard was a violin recital at Punahou School when I played ‘Ten Little Indians.’ I hope he hears me when I sing at the tribute, and I hope that he is proud," said Jeff Apaka, who like his famous father got his professional start in Waikiki, debuting in 1968 at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel’s Monarch Room.

The event, held close to what would have been Alfred Apaka’s 95th birthday, promises to be an all-star affair. A host of local performers have agreed to perform, celebrating both the late Apaka’s life and his son’s continued commitment to Hawaii. Musicians from Amy Hanai­ali‘i Gilliom to Danny Kalei­kini, Moke Boy, Aaron Mahi, Kai Markell, Doug Tolentino, Wai­lani Bell, the popular group Wai­puna and many others are expected to join hula greats like Queenie Ventura and the Lexington Hotel Hula Dancers, who joined Alfred Apaka in introducing Hawaiian ways to New York.

"When I started out Alfred Apaka was the biggest star that we had in Hawaii," said Kaleikini, who is perhaps best known for his 30-year entertainment run at the former Kahala Hilton, which ended in 1995. "My mother worked as a waitress at what was then Kaiser’s hotel. I used to look through the bushes at Alfred Apaka performing. He always wore white with a red carnation lei. He was very professional. We all wanted to be him, and he was cut down in his prime."

Kaleikini said Apaka, who died in 1960 of a heart attack at the age of 40, paved the way for others in Hawaiian music, including Jeff. "If I were him, I would be so proud of Jeff," Kelei­kini said. "It wasn’t easy for him (Jeff), and to see him accomplish all of the things that he has … well, I know that I’d be proud to call him my son."

The younger Apaka, now 67, recalls vividly the anguish that he felt as a 13-year-old boy when he learned of his famous father’s death. "I’ve never felt so alone," said the younger Apaka. "He died way too young. If he had lived, I think he would have become a household name."

In the 1940s and ’50s, Alfred Apaka perfected a style of music known as hapa haole, which weaved Polynesian themes into pop tunes with English lyrics. He performed with Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Ed Sullivan and Dinah Shore and was a regular on "Hawaii Calls," a syndicated radio program.

He helped the Hawaiian Room at the Lexington Hotel in New York become so famous that it enjoyed a 30-year run, giving other local singers and dancers a chance to support themselves through their art.

He also was a regular with the Moana Serenaders at the then Moana Hotel, then at Don the Beachcomber’s where in 1952, Bob Hope "discovered" him.

"The joke was that Bing Crosby was only going to live so long, and Bob would need a replacement," Jeff Apaka said, adding that his father also made appearances on Ed Sullivan’s "Toast of The Town" and "The Dinah Shore Show."

The family moved to Cali­for­nia, where Jeff grew up in a house close to the Andrews Sisters and attended Beverly Hills High School. Jeff Apaka said his father never encouraged him to go into show business and instead pushed a college degree and a more stable career.

"However, I was bit by the acting bug when I went up against my friend Rob Rei­ner for the role of Jigger Craigin in ‘Carousel’ and landed it," Apaka said. "My performance led me to believe that I had skills, so I auditioned and was offered a spot at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts."

He was persuaded to take up singing by some of his father’s former colleagues and eventually returned to the islands, where he enjoyed a lengthy musical career.

Jerry Gibson, area vice president for Hilton Hawaiian Village, said he enjoys Jeff Apaka’s music.

"Almost every Sunday I walk by and listen to a few songs," Gibson said. "I think his dad would be very, very proud to hear him singing and see him work his charm.

"He’s got a wonderful, full voice and a folksy, gentlemanly way. When you shut your eyes and hear him sing, you know that he belongs here at his father’s home."