Thomas Kamaki 'Jigs' Leslie, comic musician, dead at 75
By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer
Comedian and musician Thomas Kamaki "Jigs" Leslie, a headliner at the old Queen's Surf Barefoot Bar who later worked for Tihati Productions, died Tuesday. He was 75.
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Leslie was born on Moloka'i and had a flair for music and comedy at an early age. In 1950, he won a local talent contest and that sent him on the Lurline for a screen test in Hollywood.
Thomas Kamaki "Jigs" Leslie was entertainment director on the Leilani cruise liner.
While there, Leslie was offered television and nightclub appearances, but he turned them down because he wanted to return home.
Back in Hawai'i, Leslie served as master of ceremony at the old Niumalu Hotel and later became an entertainment director on the Leilani cruise liner, which traveled between Hawai'i and the West Coast.
The 'ukulele-strumming comedian also worked with Sterling Mossman at the Barefoot Bar. In 1967, Leslie led a group of entertainers that performed at the Canada Expo.
Leslie later would join Tihati Productions, where he headed Tihati's Kona Beach Luau at the Hotel King Kamehameha. He worked for Tihati for 19 years.
Cha Thompson, who runs Tihati with her husband, Jack, said Leslie was "one of a kind."
"He was really a comic, funny," Thompson said. "He even told me what to say for his eulogy. He said, 'Be sure to tell them that I was handsome and that I could sing good.' "
Thompson said Leslie will be sorely missed.
"He really was one of a kind because he lived so rascal, but everybody loved being with him," she said. "When he got on stage, you had a good time."
Leslie is survived by his wife, Nimfa; daughter, Chahati; and son, Kamaki.
Services will be from 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesday at Island Family Christian Church, 3375 Salt Lake Blvd. His ashes will be scattered later that day in Kona.
Reach Curtis Lum at 525-8025 or culum@honoluluadvertiser.com.
