David Kelii on-stage w/60s era Hawaii Calls

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 11 Jul 2007 6:30 pm

http://travel.webshots.com/album/14613310fbDOUKGxXN

Lot's of cool shot's of a Waikiki long gone.

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 12 Jul 2007 8:36 am

There's one pretty good shot of Mr. Kelii playing a Stringmaster, but the rest of the photos seem to be pretty typical Hawaiian vacation souvenir shots. Thanks for sharing!

Eddie Cunningham · Post by **Eddie Cunningham** » 12 Jul 2007 12:20 pm

I could be wrong but I thought David Kelii left Hawaii Calls around 1953 to play in Vegas. I also thought he played a T-8 Rickenbacher later, not a Fender Stringmaster ??. I think the steelers in the pic are either Danny Stewart or Alvin Kalanikau that were doing twin steels in the 60s ( from picture and info on an old Hawaii Calls L.P. ), one is sort of hidden in the background ?? Anybody know for sure ??? Some one of you old Hawaiians have memories ??? Eddie "C" ( the old geezer ) Lorene Ruymars Hawaiian Steel book lists David K to 1952 then Jules Ah See and Barney Issacs to 1960 then Barney with Danny Stewart to 1962 then Barney with Eddie Pang to late 60s !!.

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 12 Jul 2007 1:55 pm

Good eye, Eddie!

I couldn't place the face, and doubted David would have been on a Fender at this point in time, but put his name up anyway to get some knowing eyes to generate other names, and possibly nail the player.

So, while you "could be wrong", I'll bet you're less wrong than me!
Thanx for the input!

When David went to Vegas, he stood in the audition line with his fry-pan wrapped in a towel, getting stink eye from the others for looking like some nobody bum. But, when he started playing, that was it. Hired immediately.

Eddie Cunningham · Post by **Eddie Cunningham** » 12 Jul 2007 3:22 pm

Ron , I don't really know who that picture is but David was my # 1 favorite Hawaiian steel player !! He played it all, slow with feeling , fast jazz and his harmonics were played up in the pickup and I never heard him clunk a harmonic !! He was just sooo good !! Eddie "C" ( the old geezer )

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 12 Jul 2007 5:06 pm

He's probably the all time best Hawaiian steeler, and I'm glad I got to see him at least once.

Eddie Cunningham · Post by **Eddie Cunningham** » 12 Jul 2007 6:58 pm

Ron , In May, 1983 I, with my wife and friends, went to Hawaii with a Scottys Jerry Byrd tour hoping to see and hear David but he had passed away that year earlier ! We felt so bad . We did meet his wife, Sue and daughter. I had listened to David for years on the "Hawaii Calls" broadcast. I am sure he influenced many mainland steelers, including Jerry Byrd . Eddie "C" P.S. I got a great kick out of your two web sites !! Are you trying to say something ????

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 12 Jul 2007 7:29 pm

Whaaaaat?! Me say something...?

What a shame you didn't get the chance to see DK after all that time. I wish there was footage available of him playing, but those that got, ain't coughing it up.

I was lucky to make it to Jerry Byrd's 1st Steel Guitar Ho'olaule'a, which was the most all-star line up of top Hawaiian/style steelers, maybe, ever together to play. And, play they did! David was the headliner, and he didn't disappoint, with Whispering Lullaby as the top crowd pleaser.
It was all A/Ved, but again...

Jerry told me of trying desperately to hear David on those HC radio shows every weekend, and having the week transmission fade out virtually every time David would take his solo.

George Keoki Lake · Post by **George Keoki Lake** » 12 Jul 2007 9:17 pm

I only saw David Kelii once, and I gotta tell you, that pic doesn't look to be him playing the Fender. I can only guess who it is, but won't because I'll probably be wrong. Also, I think the vocalist is Alfred ... right ? And there's a chap on the left edge of the pic who seems to "resemble" Pua....????

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 13 Jul 2007 10:28 am

My first thot of who the steeler might be was of Benny Rogers, but I don't recall him ever being part of the program.

Keoki, I don't see Pua, but the singer is Ed Kinney.

George Keoki Lake · Post by **George Keoki Lake** » 13 Jul 2007 10:51 am

Keoki, I don't see Pua, but the singer is Ed Kinney.[/quote]

RON...You might be correct about (a young) Ed Kenney. Benny Rogers was never on Hawai'i Calls to my recollection. If you look at Ed's right finger, at the edge of the pic "appears" to be Pua...hard to say.

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 13 Jul 2007 1:54 pm

Eddie, I'll surmise you mean Alvin Kalanikau 'Barney' Issacs, eh? But, no way that's him in the pic.

Keoki, still no Pua to these eyes, but deffinitely Ed.

I'll be asking Benny's nephew about whether Benny ever sat in with the show.

Eddie Cunningham · Post by **Eddie Cunningham** » 13 Jul 2007 2:57 pm

Yes Ron , the Barney is Alvin Kal. I remember back on "Hawaii Calls" in 1953 Webley Edwards announced that Barney Issacs had a new Magnatone steel and he played a song !! Steel sounded so good I looked up the Co. and got a catalog but they were quite pricey and I had just bought a D-8 Fender, the old pickup type, so let it go by. I did buy a T-8 Magnatone around 1990 and loved it but sold it a couple years ago !! Eddie "C"

basilh · Post by **basilh** » 13 Jul 2007 3:53 pm

I managed to bypass the code and download the pics so here they are to peruse :-

George Keoki Lake · Post by **George Keoki Lake** » 13 Jul 2007 6:35 pm

Mahalo for the larger pic Baz. I'm wondering if the steel player is Jules before he gained weight ?

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 13 Jul 2007 6:59 pm

Before?! The fella in the pic has the 'full' look of David Kelii and Benny Rogers in thier 40's, which led me to think it was either of them.

Yes, thanx Baz!

Now, I'm leaning towards Stewart...

George Keoki Lake · Post by **George Keoki Lake** » 13 Jul 2007 9:09 pm

RON...Could be Danny Stewart. He was definitely a steeler on Hawai'i Calls. The mystery deepens......

basilh · Post by **basilh** » 15 Jul 2007 1:23 am

Aloha
While the boys over on the SGF are trying to figure out who is in the old "Hawaii Calls" photo,- I guess with the help of my friend,- we'll have to set them straight.
On the far left of the photo is Pua Almeida, next to him is the bass player Jimmy Kaopuiki, singer is Ed Kenney, steel player is Joe Custino, girl singers are Lahela, Nina & Lani Rodrigues.
Tucked in the back of the girls with a Fender steel peeking between the girls is Barney Isaacs' steel. Barney isn't shown but he and Joe always lined their steels up side-by-side.
George,- I'm surprised you didn't know all this.
Aloha,
Wally
It's too bad though that some interested people will never see this,--they just don't come here.

"They just don't come here", well, here is where it is.!

That seems pretty conclusive, I wonder why Wally Pfeifer didn't post it here ?
Baz

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 15 Jul 2007 4:00 pm

He ain't a member of the SGF.

And that don't look like Pua, to me, but I'll defer to his experience.

Jeff Au Hoy · Post by **Jeff Au Hoy** » 15 Jul 2007 6:38 pm

I disagree... that definitely looks like Pua Almeida to me.

The steel player is Joe Custino. Wally's description is right on.

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 15 Jul 2007 6:41 pm

Looks more like DG 'Andy' Anderson than Pua!

George Keoki Lake · Post by **George Keoki Lake** » 15 Jul 2007 9:26 pm

I've been checking with friends in Hawaii. My friend KEITH HAUGEN states:

"Ed Kenny, vocal; Jimmy Kaopuiki on bass; the gals are the Rodrigues sisters, I think, Lahela, Nina, Lani. Not sure who is on steel, or who is singing at far left."

I'm still convinced the guy on the far left is Pua. I met Pua several times back in 1970 and this guy sure looks like him ! As Baz suggested, CUSTINO could well be the 'mystery' steel player, however I'm going to check further and will get back to this interesting thread when, and if I have further information.

Don Kona Woods · Post by **Don Kona Woods** » 15 Jul 2007 9:56 pm

Wally says,

On the far left of the photo is Pua Almeida, next to him is the bass player Jimmy Kaopuiki, singer is Ed Kenney, steel player is Joe Custino, girl singers are Lahela, Nina & Lani Rodrigues.

These facts above are absolutely correct. I have seen Pua many times while in Hawaii and it is him on the far left.

Aloha,
Don

George Keoki Lake · Post by **George Keoki Lake** » 15 Jul 2007 10:04 pm

Where is Wally's thread on this page ? Damned if I can find it !

Eddie Cunningham · Post by **Eddie Cunningham** » 16 Jul 2007 7:55 am

Hi George !! "Wally" is quoted by Basilh from HSGA forum. Evidently Wally put info on HSGA forum and Basilh carried it over !! Eddie "C"

The Steel Guitar Forum

David Kelii on-stage w/60s era Hawaii Calls

David Kelii on-stage w/60s era Hawaii Calls

"Hawaii Calls" but not David Kelii ???

David Kelii = # 1 favorite !!!

To Hawaii to see David K

Barney AKA Al. Kal.

From the HSGA forum

"Wally " on HSGA Forum !!