Danny Kaleikini Release Full of Aloha

Producer Michael Cord adds another title to the Classic Collector Series with this double length disc of 24 songs recorded in the 70s by Danny Kaleikini. It's the latest release in a labor of love by Cord, who plans to bring back into print on Cd all the albums originally released on two local labels - Trim and Mele - by producer Irv Pinensky in the 70s and early 80s. Most of the Trim and Mele catalog has been out of print since Pinensky's death. Some of the master tapes were allegedly destroyed shortly afterward, and none of the albums were available in CD before last year.

Cord has been improving the series along the way, and this is one of the bargains. The first few discs were exact CD copies of the original vinyl albums, and if the original album contained only 35 minutes of music that's what was on the disc.

Cord made "Ambassador" a much better deal by apparently rereleasing two albums as a single disc. The main thing is that the disc contains 71 minutes of music. That's a good deal, even at the list price of a local disc!

Kaniala [Kaleikini] applies his winning romantic baritone to light pop arrangements of a variety of Hawaiian, hapa-haole, and Japanese standards.

Some are close to traditional in their simplicity, while others present hapa-haole standards or Hawaiian-language lyrics in arrangements that would have fit in nicely at any Waikiki lounge of the era. Among the highlights are: Kuu Ipo Ika Hee Pue One, Hawaii Aloha, Ku'ulani O Hilo Hana Kahi, and Here's Happiness.

The entire list is printed on the outside of the cover for inspection prior to purchase, but Kaleikini's legion of fans will probably want it sight unseen.

The liner notes are primarily an account of Kaniala's [Kaleikiki's]impressive accomplishments and charitable activities, and don't provide any history of these particular recordings. However they certainly substantiate his right to the title Ambassador of Aloha.

Hawaii s Ambassador of Aloha

Born and raised in Honolulu of Hawaiian Korean Chinese and Irish ancestry Danny Kaleikini was a music education major at the University of Hawaii when his entertainment career began in 1955.

Today Danny Kaleikini has become a legend in Hawaiian entertainment. He is the star of Hawaii’s longest running stage show which opened in April of 1967 at the Kahala Hilton. Danny sings dances and plays musical instruments including the complicated Hawaiian nose flute. He speaks several languages and provides the kind of warm family style dialogue that draws audiences from around the world and keeps them coming back

Champion of the Spirit of Aloha Danny is dedicated to the perpetuation of Hawaiian culture. He holds awards from more than five dozen civic and societal associations and state congressional resolutions have been drafted in his honor. In the 1970 s a Danny Kaleikini day was designated in Honolulu by official proclamation and in 1988 the governor named Danny Kaleikini Ambassador of Aloha for the State of Hawaii. The Mall fronting the Kahala Hilton hotel is named Danny Kaleikini square and his handprints are forever embedded in Hawaii’s Celebrity Circle at King’s Village in Waikiki.

In addition to his long running stage show Danny is a radio television film and recording artist with several albums, singles, and video cassettes to his credit plus performances in two major motion pictures. He has also appeared several times with the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra. He has taken first place at Tokyo’s International Song Festival and in 1986 was the first non-Japanese ever to perform at Hiroshima’s Peace Music Festival.

For years Danny hosted the famous Hawaii calls radio show and has had his own local programs on both radio and television. Danny has appeared on the Today Show, Hawaii Five 0, The Merv Griffin Show, The Mike Douglas Show and The Dolly Parton Show. He has performed at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas Nevada and has headlined his own show at Harrah’s in Reno Nevada he is also active in television specials in Hawaii and Japan and appears in nationally televised shows at bowl games.

Danny holds a Doctor of Humane Letters Degree from the University of Hawaii and Danny Kaleikini scholarships are awarded annually to students in the U H Music Department through his own Danny Kaleikini foundation. He has contributed to well over 100 community organizations and worthy causes and he eagerly supports youth talent of all nationalities.

The Ambassador of Aloha has a favorite expression and it is also his message to you: ALOHA KE KAHI I E KAHI that means love is everywhere. Love is where you find it. Love comes from the heart.