By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer
Friends and fans of Sam Keawe Bernard described his Hawaiian falsetto as "very nahenahe," or sweet. When he sang, people thought they were hearing a woman.
Bernard, who was the Hawaiian consultant for Tihati Productions for 18 years, died Thursday night at Kuakini Medical Center. He was 56.
Bernard was raised in Kalihi and graduated from Farrington High School, where he was the only boy to sing soprano in the choir.
He had no training in falsetto, but his mastery of the singing style was apparent at a young age.
Bernard was a familiar figure in Waikiki and had a steady gig at Hula’s Bar and Lei Stand.
He frequently performed with fellow Hawaiian entertainers Darrel Lupenui and Kekua Fernandes.
He was kumu hula of his own halau, Kaululaka, and also was a social worker with the state Department of Human Services.
"Sam Bernard’s death leaves a big void in the Tihati family," said Jack "Tihati" Thompson, president of Tihati Productions, where Bernard was employed until his health forced him to leave the stage. "I will always remember his beautiful, sweet voice. Whenever he sang, I’d stop to listen."
Bernard was manager of the Tihati-produced lu‘au shows Mondays at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel and was showcased in Tihati’s "Creation" production at the ‘üinahau Showroom of the Sheraton Princess Ka‘iulani Hotel.
"He was an unbelievable kumu," Thompson said. "It was amazing how he taught and directed; he couldn’t move around (because of his size), but he could move his dancers. There was not an ounce of badness in him."
A fund-raiser is being planned to help defray medical costs, said Cha Thompson, Jack’s wife.
Funeral services are pending.
Advertiser Entertainment Editor Wayne Harada contributed to this report.
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