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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted at 2:03 a.m., Sunday, May 6, 2007

'There will never be anyone like him'

By Mary Vorsino and Catherine E. Toth
Advertiser Urban Honolulu Writers

Hawai'i entertainers, young and old, turned out last night to pay tribute to one of the state's most beloved entertainers.

The memorial service for legendary crooner Don Ho was punctuated with a free concert at Queen's Surf Beach, which drew thousands of visitors and residents to Waikiki.

Veteran entertainers such as Nina Keali'iwahamana, Melveen Leed, Willie K, The Brothers Cazimero, the Society of Seven Las Vegas, Marlene Sai, Iva Ki-nimaka, Jimmy Borges and Sam Kapu Jr. took the stage to honor Ho in the best way they knew how: through song, dance and pure entertainment.

"I know he made sure to make his mama proud, and in doing so, he never disappointed us," said Robert Cazimero, who performed last night. "He always made sure to take care of his family."

Willie K. took the stage to sing his renditions of "We are the World" and a bon dance tune. His performance drew the only hana-hou of the night.

At about 9:45 p.m., Ho's daughter, Hoku, sang "I'll Remember You," while a video of the ash-scattering played on the giant screen behind her.

The event ended in local fashion, with everyone standing to sing "Hawai'i Pono'i" and blowing bubbles as a tribute to Ho's "Tiny Bubbles," which made him famous the world over.

Thousands of people packed into the beach area fronting the stage typically used for the city's Sunset on the Beach events. They sat on beach chairs, mats and towels under a cloudless sky, enjoying the free entertainment that lasted well into the evening.

Kaka'ako resident Wenda Man was waving her hands in the air while 15-year-old Matthew Pablo sang "God Bless the USA."

She won a ticket to see Ho perform in Waikiki in the 1960s and has been addicted to his music ever since.

"There will never be anyone like him," Man said. "He was just an easygoing guy."

Many of Ho's close family and friends sat on reserved seats fronting the stage. But others, such as Barbara Wilson, an in-law of a cousin of Ho's, sat with the rest of the crowd.

She and her family set up beach chairs and a collapsible table to picnic on the lawn behind the big screen.

Louise Sanford, of Palolo, and her husband got to Waikiki by noon to secure a spot on the wall for the free concert. She first saw him at Honey's in Kane'ohe more than 30 years ago.

"He was good," Sanford said during the concert. "And all his grandkids are good, too."

The concert began at 6 p.m. with the Royal Hawaiian Band playing traditional and contemporary Hawaiian music.

Mayor Mufi Hannemann, a good friend of the Ho family, addressed the crowd on stage during the concert. The city declared May 5 Don Ho Day.

"When it came to Don Ho ... we knew the city had to participate in this great event," Hannemann said, ending his speech with, "We love you, Don!"

Reach Mary Vorsino at 754-8286 or mvorsino@honoluluadvertiser.com. Reach Catherine E. Toth at 954-0664 or ctoth@honoluluadvertiser.com.