"Don Ho Remembered," a 90-minute TV special on the Hawaiian entertainer, provides rare peeks at the singer — at home, at work, at play. It premieres tonight on KGMB-9.

It also shows that everyone has a special memory of Ho, who died last April 14, leaving a big puka in the Hawaiian galaxy of stars.

Stills and old video provide a historic arc; interviews with Ho's family, friends, colleagues and peers paint a picture of a laid-back, caring trouper who put his 'ohana first, was devoted to helping out his pals, and shared his aloha by remaining Hawaiian to the core.

The flashback elements are particularly revealing.

You learn, early on, where Ho picked up his work ethic — from his mom, Honey, via the Kane'ohe family restaurant that was a springboard for a former Air Force pilot to fly into the entertainment skies.

The notion to organize a performing group came from his father, James. "My dad said, 'Why don't you get a group and make some music?' He planted the seed," Ho says in one interview.

Honey's was party central, where Ho sashayed from the stage to the kitchen to wash dishes, says Marlene Sai — who was "discovered" and joined Ho on stage at Honey's.

If you still don't know, you discover how and why Ho was nicknamed Quack by his intimate friends. (He ran like a duck).

You see Linda Coble then (a photographer who snapped visitors at Duke Kahanamoku's, became part of Ho's Harem, the army of wahine fans at the old International Market Place club) and Coble now (remembering how he blew her away when she was a KGMB9 TV journalist).

Joe Mundo, leader of The Aliis (Ho's backup group), reflects on the Kui Lee tunes hurled Ho's way. The partnership eventually put both singer and composer on the music radar.

Mundo reveals that the Ho-Aliis debut was not in Hawai'i but "on Midway Island ... for the Navy, with the goonies (birds) out there."

You learn how "Suck 'em Up" became an anthem; you see the famous logo mai tai glass that became a collectible.

You recall the late Kimo Wilder McVay, who operated Duke's and secured Ho's services (using namesake Duke Kahanamoku as the catalyst in the deal). You see photo evidence of folks who flocked to worship Ho over the years: Milton Berle, Bill Cosby, Marlon Brando, Engelbert Humperdinck, many more.

Adrienne Liva Sweeney, onetime secretary to Ho, tells of his uncanny full plate in 1996, when Ho hosted an afternoon KHVH radio show from 3 to 6 p.m., did nighttime performances as Sammy Fong in "Flower Drum Song" at then-named Honolulu International Center Concert Hall (now Blaisdell) then scooted to Duke's for his opening "Night Life" number (part of his do-it-all work ethic).

Ho was all over the Waikiki map, headlining at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Dome, moving to the Cinerama Reef Towers' Polynesian Palace, and fronting "Hawaii Ho" and "The Don Ho Show," TV shows filmed in Hawai'i for network audiences. He was king of Waikiki, but his kingdom reached the world.

He was earnestly modest, minimizing his appeal. "I had nothing to do with it. I was there — right place at the right time," he says.

Rare footage of a 1972 appearance with Bob Hope, for the soldiers at Schofield, and an intimate interview from Ho's family home in Lanikai, are among the jewels in this box of memories.

Sweet and touching: Dwight Ho, as a youngster, frolicking as dad sings "The Days of My Youth."

Stirring the memory: Ho's daughters dancing with dad at the Polynesian Palace, Robin Wilson Graham dueting with Ho, daughter Hoku chirping with dad.

Perhaps the most private and poignant sentiment comes from wife Haumea, who initially was a dishwasher at Honey's, later doing solo in Ho's Waikiki shows, then serving as show executive producer, who confesses when Ho asked her if she liked being wed: "I love being married, yes. I didn't know how to respond. Twenty years with Don ... that's the biggest gift he gave me." (They were wed in September 2006.)

The documentary is an homage, becoming of a legend, and a window to a glorious chapter of Island entertainment. It also complements the recently published coffee-table book, "Don Ho: My Music, My Life."

Leo Anderson Akana narrates a script by Robert Pennybacker. Phil Arnone was executive producer of the show, with Lawrence Pacheco as co-producer and editor. It's the core team that has mounted stellar KGMB specials over the years, on Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, Duke Kahanamoku and Kapi'olani Park, among others.

What next, the Don Ho biopic?

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.