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By Timothy Hurley
Advertiser Maui County Bureau
David "Bla" Eugene Robins, a musician from Moloka‘i who performed in various Friendly Isle bands and played backup for Don Ho, Melveen Leed and others, died Friday at the age of 57.
Robins succumbed to diabetes and renal, liver and congenital heart failure after a monthlong battle at the Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu.
Robins, who was born Feb. 1, 1944, on Moloka‘i, was a member of the Moloka‘i Ebbtides and FIBRE, performing at the Seaside Inn, Kane’s Bar, Hele On and Pau Hana Inn. He was also a musician for Moana’s Hula Halau, Halau Hula O Kanani and many community functions.
A retired school bus and tour driver, Robins was also a member of the State Council of Hawaiian Homesteaders and the Ahupua‘a O Moloka‘i, as well as president of Kamiloloa-One Ali‘i Homesteaders Association and the Kaunakakai ward choir of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
He is survived by his wife, Maileann "Cookie" Battad-Robins; daughters, Eleanor "Ellie" Robins of O‘ahu, Moana (Steven) Cumberland of Oregon and Elea (Pulani) Kahokuloa of Moloka‘i; son, Teva Robins of Moloka‘i; hanai children, Kainoa Hepa of Milwaukee, Benevee McGee of Moloka‘i, Skylar McGee of Arizona, and Hulunani Silva and Kolokea Melcher of Moloka‘i; sisters, Eugenia "Gena" Sasada of Kalaupapa, Shirley Aki Rawlins of Moloka‘i, Norma "Lei" Akima of Maui and Helena Nahoopii of O‘ahu, and extended sister, Bertha Adachi of Moloka‘i; and brothers, Joseph "Bully" Kupukaa of O‘ahu, James "Kimo" Kaopuiki of Texas and Halona Kaupoiki of Moloka‘i, and extended brother, Gordon Spaulding of Oregon.
A memorial service will be held on O‘ahu at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Kalihi, to be followed by a potluck. Aloha attire is requested.
On Moloka‘i, a service will be held at 11 a.m. Feb. 24 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Kaunakakai, with luncheon to follow. Aloha attire is requested.
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