Loyal Garner dies of cancer at age 55
By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer
Singer Loyal Garner, Hawai'i's "Lady of Love" and one of the four Local Divas, died last night at The Queen's Medical Center. She was 55.
Gregory Yamamoto • June 27, 2001
Garner had been battling colon cancer for more than two years. She died surrounded by family and friends.
Loyal Garner was twice honored as the Na Hoku Hanohano female vocalist of the year.
"Her immediate family was there," said Nohelani Cypriano, entertainer and fellow Diva. "She looked beautiful. She had a whole bunch of leis on."
Garner was twice honored as the Na Hoku Hanohano female vocalist of the year.
Cypriano said she followed Garner's career for years and was honored to be able to perform with her.
"She was like a mother figure to me. I always respected her, before I even got going in music," she said. "Meeting her was already a thrill."
The Local Divas — Garner, Cypriano, Carole Kai and Melveen Leed — were scheduled to perform a Nov. 29 benefit concert for Garner at the Sheraton Waikiki. The concert, "This One's for You, Loyal," will go on.
"Loyal was a very spiritual person, and she will be with us at that concert," Cypriano said.
As sick as Garner was, Kai said she thought Garner would make it to the concert.
"I still can't believe she's gone," Kai said. "She said, 'I hope you folks are practicing because I'm going to come in and fool everybody.' And that's just what we thought."
Garner had told her friends to be sure to thank the many fans who sent her dozens of cards and gifts during her illness.
"She couldn't send out cards so she felt very bad," Kai said. "She really wanted people to know how grateful she was."
Garner got her professional start in 1966 as a singer performing six nights a week at the Golden Dragon at the Hilton Hawaiian Village while attending classes at the University of Hawai'i during the day.
She made it big on the local entertainment scene when she began performing at the Canoe House at the Ilikai in 1975.
Garner got her nickname "Lady of Love" as host of the local segment of the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy telethon.
Learning the local telethon would fall short of its goal, she pleaded in tears to the television audience to make pledges. The telethon eventually exceeded its goal that year.
At the height of her popularity, she was the spokeswoman for Cutter Ford and Windward Mall.
Garner is known for the songs "Blind Man in the Bleachers," "Chotto Matte Kudasai," "Ha'a Hula," "Mama, I Love You," "Mokihana Lullaby" and "Shave Ice."
Garner, who resided in Kane'ohe, was born in Kalihi, and raised in Hale'iwa and 'Alewa Heights.
"She loved doing things for people," Kai said. "Her legacy is truly one of Lady of Love."
Staff writer Scott Ishikawa contributed to this report.
