Haleloke Kahuaolapua, regular on Arthur Godfrey's TV show

deb...@comcast.net

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Dec 23, 2004, 12:00:33 PM12/23/04

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Hawaiian star lived as ordinary Hoosier
By JOY LEIKER
jle...@muncie.gannett.com

UNION CITY - A former television star, Haleloke Kahuaolapua sang and
danced her way into American homes in the 1950s in the cast of Arthur
Godfrey's variety show.

Years after her career blared through the radio and was broadcast on
national television, Kahuaolapua, known as "Hale" to her friends,
retired to Union City. She died there Thursday at age 82.

Though Kahuaolapua went on to live a rather quiet life in Indiana,
Albany resident Marilyn Zearbaugh remembers watching the Hawaiian
performer on Godfrey's musical talent show, Arthur Godfrey and His
Friends.

Zearbaugh said, "I'm old enough and I remember, every day she'd come
out and sing. She was beautiful."

Kahuaolapua was part of Godfrey's cast of characters for five years,
from 1950 to 1955. During the 1951-52 season, the show was at the top
of the charts, and Kahuaolapua and Godfrey were featured on the cover
of TV Guide. A year later the show was knocked out of the top spot by I
Love Lucy.

Before television she was popular on a Hawaiian radio program, Hawaii
Calls.

Though her professional career ended long ago, Kahuaolapua didn't
separate herself totally from the music business. In fact even in
Randolph County she had opportunities to enjoy the Hawaiian music she
loved.

The city of Winchester hosts the Aloha International Hawaiian Steel
Guitar Club's annual convention, and the summertime event features
musicians from all over the world. Even though she wasn't able to
perform, she did attend some of the gatherings. Zearbaugh remembers
seeing her there.

"They were all thrilled that she could be at that meeting," Zearbaugh
remembered of the other musicians. "Those people kind of fade out, then
live ordinary lives."

Hyfler/Rosner

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Dec 23, 2004, 12:08:07 PM12/23/04

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<deb...@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:1103821233.3...@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...

> Hawaiian star lived as ordinary Hoosier
> By JOY LEIKER
> jle...@muncie.gannett.com
>
> UNION CITY - A former television star, Haleloke
> Kahuaolapua sang and
> danced her way into American homes in the 1950s in the
> cast of Arthur
> Godfrey's variety show.

Cool obit. Thanks for posting.

Terrymelin

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Dec 23, 2004, 1:19:59 PM12/23/04

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Arthur Godfrey. Now there's the name of someone who was once one of the biggest
stars of TV -- and who seems utterly forgotten today.

Terry Ellsworth

deb...@comcast.net

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Dec 23, 2004, 2:11:42 PM12/23/04

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Haleloke, was a shy Hawaiian female musician who appeared regularly on
Godfrey's musical variety program. In April, 1955 she was fired and
replaced by a Japanese girl, Miyoshi Umeki. Umeki later starred on THE
COURTSHIP OF EDDIE'S FATHER as a housekeeper to a widower's small son.

Jed

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Dec 23, 2004, 2:21:33 PM12/23/04

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She also had a large role with Marlon Brondo and James Garner in
"Sayonara" as Red Button's character's love interest. Late 50s. The
movie is pretty much unknown/ignored today but was a big deal back
then.

What the hell did Miyoshi Umeki do on the Godfrey show!

Brigid Nelson

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Dec 23, 2004, 4:43:47 PM12/23/04

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And Flower-Drum Song.

MadCow57

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Dec 24, 2004, 3:59:57 PM12/24/04

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>>Haleloke, was a shy Hawaiian female musician who appeared regularly on
Godfrey's musical variety program. In April, 1955 she was fired and

replaced by a Japanese girl, Miyoshi Umeki.<< -- debdav

Anybody else remember when he fired Julius LaRosa, on air, with that awful
"this is Julius' swan song" announcement?