Posted on: Tuesday, October 9, 2001

Irmgard 'Aluli services set for Thursday

By Walter Wright
Advertiser Staff Writer

Services for Hawai'i composer and singer Irmgard Farden 'Aluli will be held Thursday at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Kailua.

'Aluli died Thursday at Kaiser Moanalua Medical Center, three days short of her 90th birthday.

Irmgard Keali'iwahinealohaNohokahaoPuamana Farden 'Aluli was born Oct. 7, 1911, at Pu'unoa, Mala, Lahaina, into a home and family she remembered in her best-known composition, the famous "Puamana."

She gave that name to a group she organized in the early 1980s that became a tradition at the Willows Restaurant in Honolulu. She was the image and sound of Hawaiian music for thousands of kama'aina and malihini alike, and this year she was honored as a Living Treasure by the Prince Kuhio Hawaiian Civic Club.

'Aluli was one of 13 children of Charles and Annie Farden. Music was a staple in the family's Lahaina home and was the center of her life, during which she composed more than 300 tunes.

Visitation at the church, from 8 a.m., will be followed by a Mass at noon.

Burial will be at 2 p.m. at the Hawai'i State Veteran's Cemetery in Kane'ohe.

'Aluli was a member of Hale O Na Ali'i O Hawai'i, 'Ahahui Po'o, Daughters of Hawai'i, Prince Kuhio Hawaiian Civic Club, Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts, Ana Malia Catholic Society, and the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame.

She is survived by brothers Rudolph Haleakala Farden Sr., of Wai'anae, and retired Col. Llewellyn Buddy Halona Farden of Honolulu; sister Edna Ena Pualani Bekeart of Maui; sons Nane 'Aluli of Maui, the Rev. Kale 'Aluli of Illinois, Inoa 'Aluli and Kimo 'Aluli of Kailua; daughters Mihana Souza and Aima McManus of Kailua; 18 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Aloha attire is suggested, except for members of Hale O Na Ali'i O Hawai'i, who are asked to attend in regalia.