Beamers turn on 'City Lights' for departed Kimo McVay

By Mike Gordon
Advertiser Staff Writer

They laughed rather than cry because it was the best way to mourn the passing of a showman.

The Beamer brothers, Keola and Kapono, came together for the first time in 20 years to sing "Honolulu City Lights" in memory of promoter Kimo McVay. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

Nearly 250 people, many of them popular Waikiki entertainers, attended the services at the Outrigger Canoe Club, a favorite hangout for McVay. The promoter died of cancerlast week. He was 73.

In death, McVay accomplished what no promoter had been able to do for the past 20 years: the reunion of the popular singing duo Keola and Kapono Beamer, the brothers whom McVay had promoted in the 1970s and loved like sons. The Beamers, who approached the microphone from opposite sides of the audience, sang "Honolulu City Lights," their trademark song.

It was one of McVay's last wishes that the Beamers come together one more time.

"Kimo always told us if we ever got together again he would promote it," said Keola Beamer. "Kimo, we're sorry we showed up late. Those were wonderful years."

Their softly sung lyrics moved the audience. That's when people cried.

McVay was remembered as a promoter who was dedicated to his clients, a master of hyperbole who had an eye for rising talent. He was a guy who listened to his doctor and gave up Bloody Bulls — a vodka drink with beef broth — but wouldn't quit smoking. ("Don't push your luck," he reportedly told the doctor.) And he was a friend who would faithfully attend church with one of his acts — magician John Hirokawa — and sleep through the entire service Sunday after Sunday.

"He was a showman supreme," said promoter Tom Moffatt. "A showman likes to have a full house.Well, Kimo, you have a full house. Well done."

Singer Don Ho, who was once managed by McVay, called him the perfect boss. "He would disappear behind me and stay out of my face," he said.

Ho said McVay was probably already working to promote a show in heaven, then wisecracked he would probably be headed "somewhere below, with Elvis."

"Thank you, Kimo," Ho said. "We'll see you somewhere along the line."

When McVay managed Ho at the popular International Market Place nightclub called Duke Kahanamoku's, he created one of Waikiki's most sought after souvenirs: drinking glasses emblazoned with the words "Suck 'em Up!"

It was a theme that stuck yesterday, although the bar was closed at the time.

"As we have this time of celebration, and I know Kimo likes these types of things, maybe he is watching over and saying, 'Suck 'em up, suck 'em up, enjoy it," said Pastor Jerry Saludez as he prayed for Mcvay.

The finale, like any good show, brought the mourners to their feet. With Ho singing "I'll Remember You," canoe paddlers took McVay's ashes off shore where they were scattered on the turquoise waters of Waikiki.

"Ladies and gentlemen," said comedian Andy Bumatai, "Kimo McVay has left the building."

McVay's widow, Betsy, said Kimo would have approved.

"I think Kimo is looking down on us at this most incredible outpouring of love," she said. "Everybody knew him so well that they were able to laugh. It was not a time of sorrow and that's what Kimo wanted."