Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 2, Number 3, 1 March 1985 — 'A Love Affair with Alfred Apaka' [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

'A Love Affair with Alfred Apaka'

His widow, Edna Blake Apaka, called the event "A Love Affair with Alfred Apaka" and insisted that the tribute was to be a joyous event, not an occasion for mourning. On Jan. 30, 1960, Alfred Apaka, Hawaii's best known entertainer suddenly collapsed and died at the age of 39. The incredibly rich voice weis stilled. The engagng smile and twinkling eyes whieh endeared him to kamaaina and malihini alike abruptly were gone. But the people who knew and admired Alfred Apaka did not forget. Twenty-five years after his death Edna Apaka invited some of them to help celebrate his life. They gathered at the Apaka monument in Diamond Head Memorial Park on a Wednesday morning . . . relatives, schoolmates, friends, and fans . . . musicians, singers, dancers, and politicians. Entertainer Don Ho, standing inconspicuously several hundred feet from the ceremony and unnoticed by the crowd, paid silent tribute. Governor George Ariyoshi sent a bound message of aloha for presentation to Mrs. Apaka. Honolulu's Mayor recalled that during night club performances many years ago, Apaka never failed to recognize "a young struggling politician" named Frank Francis Fasi. Fasi's wife, Joyce, delighted everyone with her impromptu hula to "Lehuanani" as it was being sung by the song's composer, David Kupele.

Alfred's son, Jeffrey , vocalized "Akaka Falls", a favorite of his grandmother, Mary Aholo Apaka. The voices of Nina Kealiiwahamana and Benny Kalama blended beautifully in "Lei Aloha Lei Makamae" whieh Edna Apaka said was very special to herself and Alfred. Randy Oness sang "Haunani", one of his own compositions and among the many selections recorded by Alfred. Barney lssacs worked his magic on the steel guitar. "Lovely Hula Hands" was lovingly danced by Lila Guerrero Reiplinger as the song's composer R. Alex Anderson looked on, misty eyed. Other Apaka favorites performed that morning included "Paoakalani" and "Here In This Enchanted Plaee" the opening lines to whieh are etched on the Apaka memorial. After a prayer delivered both in Chinese and English by the Reverend Harold Jow, master of ceremonies Ed Miehelman invited everyone to join in the singing of "Aloha Oe". The poignant strains of Queen LiIiuokalani's famous love song were punctuated by a prolonged staccato burst of fireworks, a combination reflecting Apaka's Chinese and Hawaiian heritage. That morning, a quarter century after his passing, the presence of Alfred Apaka was as strong and vivid as during his lifetime. And there was no doubt among those gathered at Leahi that his recordings will eonhnue to delight generations yet unborn.

Edna Blake Apaka, widow of singer Alfred Apaka, introduces Mayor Frank F. Fasi during the 25th anniversary observance program marking her husband's death. Com-poser-Musician David Kupele is pictured at right.