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Acclaimed Kumu hula master and
prolific composer John Thomas Pi’ilani Watkins
was born on December 24, 1928 in the city of Ewa, on the Hawaiian island
of Oahu.
Watkins was a gifted performer whose
talents included: chanter, dancer, teacher, composer, singer, musician,
choreographer, and recording artist. He headlined at numerous island
clubs including the Green Lantern Club in Maile, Oahu and the Kapahulu
Tavern. In 1955 Watkins took 48 dancers to New York with him to perform
on Broadway. He became the head musician and choreographer, also starring
in the Broadway production of Paradise Island with Guy Lombardo and
June Taylor. Later he toured Japan, Okinawa, Taiwan, and did hundreds of
performances at numerous hospitals and military clubs. He was also given
the opportunity to perform on
The Dinah Shore Show in Hollywood.
Back home in Hawaii he continued to
perform with stints at Halekoa Hotel, Hotel Hana, Makaha Inn,
and the Lucky Luau television show. Watkins is known as the visionary and
the creative force behind the original elaborate visual extravaganza of
Germaine’s Luau at Sea Life Park that celebrated the majesty and the
beauty of the South Pacific. He was the first master of ceremonies and
under his guidance created the foundation
for the spectacular show.
Watkins is probably best known in
his role as renowned Kumu Hula (Master Hula Teacher) of Halau O Pi’ilani
and President of Hui O Pi’ilani. He also served as judge of the famous
Merrie Monarch Festival.
John Pi’ilani Watkins passed on at
the age of 54, February 25, 1983 in Honolulu. His legacy remains in the
many beautiful original mele hula compositions he wrote and recorded.
Many of these are still popular today and have been recorded by a
multitude of contemporary artists. Eight are included here as recorded and
released originally on 78 rpm by the 49th State Hawaii Record Company.
To follow, we have included the
original liner notes from the 78-rpm Treasure Chest of Hawaiian
Melodies. It is priceless. It came to us with an original
handwritten autograph scrawled in the upper left hand corner in green ink
that reads: “Aloha Nui Loa From The Composer John Pi’ilani Watkins”.
A
TREASURE CHEST OF HAWAIIAN MELODIES RECORDED BY
49TH
STATE HAWAII RECORD CO. HONOLULU, HAWAII
SONGS OF HANA-MAUI
These beautiful melodies were
composed by John Piilani Watkins to tell of the beauty and color of this
part of old Hawaii, where friendly, gentle Hawaiians live, work and play,
just as did their ancestors of King Kamehameha’s day. He sings them
nightly at the world famous Hotel Hana- Maui, where thousands of visitors
have been enchanted by these songs along with others just as hauntingly
beautiful.
PLAYLIST
The Hana Chant
Waikaloa
Heavenly Hana
Meka Nani Ao Kaupo
Hawaiian Isles
Hana No Ka Oi
Namoa
Waipio - Makalapua Medley
No Paipai (The Rocking Chair Hula)
Mahalo E Hilo Hanakahi
Farewell, Hana Bid You Aloha |
