Loyal Garner dies of cancer at age 55

Associated Press

Island singer Loyal Garner, who was twice honored as the Na Hoku Hanohano female vocalist of the year, died tonight of colon cancer. She was 55.

Garner, who was known as "The Lady of Love," was surrounded by family and friends when she died at The Queen's Medical Center.

She had undergone chemotherapy and radiation treatments after learning she had cancer almost two years ago.

Known for her Hawaiian ballads, as well as her jazz and country-western songs, Garner entered the music business in the late 1960s.

In recent years, Garner teamed up with Melveen Leed, Carole Kai and Nohelani Cypriano to form the singing group called "The Local Divas."

A Nov. 29 concert planned to help raise funds to pay for Garner's medical expenses will go on as scheduled at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. It will now also serve as a tribute to Garner.

Funeral services are pending.