As a musical ambassador for Hawaii, ‘Ihilani Miller charmed audiences around the United States and Canada with sparkling performances at premier clubs across the continent and through the emerging wonder of television on programs like "The Ed Sullivan Show" and "The Perry Como Show." Yet, her loved ones say, her heart remained ever faithful to her island home, where she remained stalwart of the local entertainment scene from early adolescence until her death last week.
Miller, once dubbed "the Voice of the South Pacific," died on May 17 at age 81 in Ewa Beach.
"She always said she was an entertainer," said granddaughter Ihilani Cummings. "That’s what she did. That’s who she was."
Miller grew up in Kapahulu and displayed her musical talents at a young age.
She also studied hula under renowned kumu hula Sally Wood Naluai, and was a driving force for the Ilima Hula Studio.
Starting in the 1940s, she and husband Terry "Kalani" Miller toured North America to promote Polynesian music and dance, performing in venues such as the Sahara Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, the Edgewater Hotel in Chicago and the famed Hawaiian Club in San Francisco.
Back in Hawaii, she performed alongside the Menehune Maidens, the Bea Sisters and many others and was featured in a Polynesian review at the Biltmore Hotel in Waikiki.
In later years, Miller was a featured singer with the Royal Hawaiian Band. In 1976, she represented Oahu in the Aloha Week festivities and remained active with the Ahahui Moi o Aloha Week Festivals throughout her later years. She was also an active member of the Daughters of Hawai‘i.
"There was a certain regalness about her," Cummings said. "She got a lot of respect from people and she gave a lot of respect, as well. She had charisma. Her presence was just undeniable. Everywhere she went, she stood out."
Miller is survived by daughter Tanya Miller; son Kamaile Miller; brother Aliinoa Silva; sisters Lale Kam, Hannah Uribes, Hilda Lopez, Queenie Davis and Haleaka Martin; 12 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and many hanai children.
A wake service is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel, with visitation from 5 p.m. A funeral service will held at 10 a.m. Friday, also at Mililani Mortuary, with visitation from 8:30 a.m., followed by burial at 2 p.m. at Valley of the Temples Memorial Park. The family suggest aloha attire be worn.
