The rerun of “Don Ho Remembered” April 19 on Hawaii News Now, in memory of the 10th anniversary of the entertainer’s death at 76 on April 14, 2007, brought back a flood of memories for me. I was in the first part of the fine show, directed by Phil Arnone and written by Robert Pennybacker, as I had a relationship with Don going back to 1948 when we were seniors in high school.

I was at Roosevelt and he at Kamehameha, and we played football against each other at old Honolulu Stadium, also known as the Termite Palace on King Street. Don’s team really wanted that game because if they beat us they would be champs. We had beaten defending champs McKinley the week before, and I had a good game at quarterback. A target was on my skinny frame. They beat us 21-0 with Don scoring two touchdowns and kicking three extra points. He was named to the high school all-star team …

It was years later when Don played in my golf tournaments that he called me the best quarterback on HIS team. And when I gave up golf because of an ugly shoulder injury, he said I always had a bad arm (referring to my football passing). I responded by calling him an “overage Kam School bully.”

During our respective senior seasons, I was 16 and he was 18, having started elementary school a year later than most of us, I believe. After high school Don went to Springfield College in Massachusetts but came home after a year because it was too cold. He enrolled at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. I was there, and we worked together for an asphalt paving company one summer. We helped pave Honolulu Airport runways.

One afternoon, Don, two of his friends, my friend Hank McKeague, a good singer who composed songs, and I got together in the UH quarry. A guitar, ukulele and case of beer were included. I looked after the beer as I do not sing. There were only a couple of shacks in the area where the Stan Sheriff Center is today. After things got mellow with music and the sun began to set, Don said, “One of these days I’m going to form a group.” Years later he did just that and started entertaining at Honey’s, his family’s restaurant in Kaneohe. That was where it all began …

After our years at UH, I entered the Army, and Don joined the Air Force and became a pilot. I worked two years as a soldier and eight years as a civilian for Stars and Stripes newspaper in Europe, based in Germany.

After being away 10 years, I came home and worked at the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. I was named entertainment editor in 1967. Don and the Aliis were setting the town on fire at Duke Kahanamoku’s, owned by flamboyant promoter Kimo McVay at Waikiki’s International Market Place.

Those were the days: two-way traffic and parking on Kalakaua, and lei stands on the sidewalk, with many entertainment spots locals could afford.

We all know how big Don became in the entertainment world. Harry Mills, one of the members in the famed Mills Brothers singing group, once told me Don had audiences in the palm of his hand. This from a man who really knew the business. Don knew how to hold an audience, and he drew big names in entertainment, sports, business and government but mostly he drew local folks and tourists who loved his laid-back island style.

Don was a busy guy, but he found time to come to my apartment for my crowded engagement party in 1973. He sat on a couch with Jack and Marie Lord. In 1972 he and I had watched the “Fab Five” UH basketball team, coached by Red Rocha, lose its NCAA basketball tourney game with Weber State, 91-64, on TV in his apartment before our scheduled interview. The interview that would have been better if UH had won.

Years later Don was the winning pitcher in a softball game between local media and a Hollywood team made up of such stars as Clint Eastwood, Rob Reiner, Peter Graves and more, managed by former major-leaguer Lee Walls. A highlight was Walls in his only at-bat hitting a rocket speared by shortstop Dick Couch, who fired the ball to Bob Sevey at second, who threw to Rocha at first for a triple play ensuring the media victory. I played briefly and dropped a fly ball in left field …

Don enjoyed playing in my golf tournaments in memory of my late wife, Brita. He tied for first with then-Gov. Ben Cayetano in the first major Brita tourney in 1997 at the Kuilima course (now Turtle Bay). After golf we had a party at brothers Sonny and Mahi Beamer’s Kawela property.

The music started with my former Roosevelt schoolmates singing our alma mater. That prompted former Miss Hawaii Elizabeth Lindsey to start singing her Kamehameha alma mater. Don and others joined in. Then a small bus arrived with a group of entertainers gathered by Mihana Souza that included Mike Kaawa, Van Horn Diamond and Kiki Hugho.

After they performed for some time, Don, Boyce Rodrigues, Kaawa and Mahi at the piano sang together. Nina Kealiiwahamana also sang. You couldn’t buy an impromptu session like that.

Because people enjoyed the Brita tourney, I started another one, called the Mini-Benny Birthday Tourney for Wobbly Golfers and Worthy Women …

Some friends who played in these were invited to my birthday parties. Don attended two of them and sang. A luncheon birthday bash for me was held at the rear of Neiman’s Mariposa. SOS leader Tony Ruivivar and other band members were among the guests. Don arrived late, and restaurant manager Dave Nagaishi set up a table for him. I joined him with my glass of wine, and he started drinking it before his wine came.

A female guest’s pregnant daughter came over to Don. She was so nervous as she told him his version of “Tiny Bubbles” was her favorite song. He knocked it out for her on the spot, and she was joyous.

Don called up Kimo Kahoano to sing with him at another of my birthday parties, at the Prince Hotel in 2001. Don arrived after attending a UH football game against highly rated BYU saying, “Hawaii won!” The stunning 72-45 upset was led by quarterback Nick “Rolo” Rolovich’s incredible eight touchdown passes. Rolo, of course, is now head coach of the UH football team …

I first learned of Don’s death from PR woman Jackie Smythe as we were driving to the Halekulani Hotel’s House Without a Key for sunset cocktails. My longtime friend Faye Parker, whose ex-husband was actor Doug McClure, was there and came by our table.

She said Nancy Sinatra had called her and was crying over Don’s death. “Don Ho Remembered” reported that Nancy helped Don and the Aliis get booked at L.A.’s famed Coconut Grove in 1966.

There were many tears shed over Don’s death. I was happy to call Don Ho my friend …

Ben Wood, who sold newspapers on Honolulu streets during World War II, writes of people, places and things. Contact him at bwood@staradvertiser.com.