Posted on: Saturday, November 24, 2001

Loyal Garner funeral, burial rescheduled

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor

The schedule for the funeral and burial of Loyal Garner has changed since it was announced earlier this week, according to the singer's family.

Visitation will be from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday at Kawaiaha'o Church, where services will follow at 7:30 p.m.

Burial will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Hawaiian Memorial Park.

Garner, the "Lady of Love" known for her gestures of love in music and in her dealings with people, died Nov. 15 at The Queen's Medical Center, following a two-year battle with colon cancer. She was 55.

Her funeral will reflect the admiration she earned from her friends and peers, said Capt. Ed Gabriel, a Honolulu firefighter who also was a longtime percussionist in her backup band.

"In fact, three of us firefighters played music with her and we will be among the pallbearers," said Gabriel. The other firefighter-musicians are Lee Mueller, a guitarist, and Billie Beimes, a saxophonist. They will be joined by Jonathon Ukauka, Jordan Ukauka, Mike Nakapui and David Kauahikaua. An eighth pallbearer will be named later.

The eulogies will be delivered by Lanson Kupau, Melveen Leed, Cha Thompson, Robert Cazimero and Kimo Garner. Garner, brother of the entertainer, will also perform the opening song; a list of participating entertainers was still being compiled.

However, the program will include songs and hula by Garner's sister Alicia Smith, niece Pi'ilani Smith, and nephew Paka Smith.

The Royal Hawaiian Band also will perform during the services.

The finale, "Surround Me With Love," will be a keiki hula by members of 'Olana Ai's hula halau.

Both the funeral and the burial rites are open to the public.

Aloha attire is suggested; no flowers.