George Kainapau

about

Hawaiian falsetto singer George Kainapau was born in Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii on May 22, 1905. He died in Seal Beach, California on September 14, 1992. Known as Hawaii's Falsetto King, George began singing at the Volcano House in the 1920's. He recorded "Hilo Hanakahi" with Sol Hoopii and Andy Iona on January 18, 1929 at age 23. That was his first recording. George became a falsetto phenomenon in the ’30s. “Once microphones got better, and people got a chance to hear that voice, wow,” says Harry B. Soria Jr. “It was really a golden period for him.” George was also known for his famous recording of the 'Hawaiian Wedding Song" - From Three Perfect Minutes, Milestone Recordings in American Music. "...from the movie Waikiki Wedding , opens with a duet between Hawaiian music legends Lani McIntyre and George Kainapau. McIntyre does not have the strongest voice, but there is a certain charm in his delicate delivery, and Kainapau’s falsetto backing vocals are dreamily delightful. After the first verse, Crosby takes over the lead, and his crooning baritone lifts the song to a new level of enchantment, with McIntyre and Kainapau continuing to provide backing vocals. Compared to the faster-paced swing music being made at the time, it might be easy to label this record as saccharine fluff, a Hollywood ode to the Hawaiian music craze. It should not be so quickly dismissed, though. It provided Crosby with a #1 hit for good reason: it is one of the best, and surprisingly most

top songs

albums

George Kainapau Hawaii's Falsetto King

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The Legends of Waikiki

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Night Club Hula Hawaiian Style - Special Edition - Vintage Hawaiian Treasures Vol. 6

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Legends Of Falsetto - Hawaii's Legendary Voices

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Relax, Hawaiian Steel Guitar Summer Meditation: Sleepwalk, Across the Sea, Endless Summer, Beyond the Reef, Ukulele Tree

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Relax, Hawaiian Steel Guitar Summer Meditation: Sleepwalk, Across the Sea, Endless Summer,

The Golden Voice of Hawaii

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Hawaiian Summer: 50 Songs for a Hula Beach Party (Or for Drifting Away to Paradise in a Hammock)

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Hawaiian Summer Beach Party, The Best Hawaiian Steel Guitar Songs: Dreams of Old Hawaii, Honolulu, Hukilau, Sleepwalk, Beyond the Reef and More

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Holiday In Hawaii

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Legends Of Waikiki

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Fish & Poi: Hawaiian Independent 78rpm Discs ca. 1945-56

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