Posted on: Friday, May 27, 2005

Film pays tribute to Owens, Hattie

Advertiser Staff

Bandleader Harry Owens and comic hula dancer Hilo Hattie were like fish and poi in the earlier days of hapa-haole music. He once played at the Royal Hawaiian hotel and she was a regular on his television show, spreading the aloha spirit to Mainland audiences with her signature song, "When Hilo Hattie Does the Hilo Hop."

"A Tribute to Harry Owens and Hilo Hattie," a film and live commentary program, will be presented at 7 p.m. June 27 at the Ruth Bacon Auditorium at Pohai Nani Retirement Community, 45-090 Namoku St., Kane'ohe.

Members of Owens' Royal Hawaiian Orchestra, including vocalist Gil Mershon, hula dancer Kahala Bray and musician Prince Kawohi (aka Ernest Kawohionalani) also will be featured in the clips, with local film historian Steven Fredrick providing commentary.

The one-hour program is free to the public, but donations will be accepted to help defray costs.

Following the show, Fredrick will answer questions about the making of the films and their historical relationship to Hawai'i.

Owens was the composer of the Academy Award-winning tune, "Sweet Leilani," performed by Bing Crosby in the film "Waikiki Wedding." Hattie — who was Clarissa "Clara" Haili, a schoolteacher — also popularized such comedic tunes as "The Princess Pupule (Has Plenty Papaya)" and "The Cockeyed Mayor of Kaunakakai" and performed with Owens on radio and TV. She also became a fixture in nightclubs at the Hilton Hawaiian Village and the Halekulani hotel.

Information: 247-8410, 395-0674.