Kumu Hula Hokulani DeRego (green) and Harry B. Soria are surrounded by Halau Hula O Hokulani members of Nani, Leo, & Shiloh during their appearance in the U'ilani Japan Hawaiian music and dance show in Shinegawa, Tokyo, Japan on January 12, 2008.
Naoko Pohaikealoha Kalima and Harry B. Soria, Jr., backstage at the U'ilani Japan New Year Concert in Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan on January 12, 2008. Naoko is sensei of "Halau Hula Ka Mamo O Pohai Kalima".
One of our special adventures on our January 2008 trip to Japan was a tour of the Sony Archives in Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan. The museum traces the history of Sony's breakthrough inventions since its founding by Masaru Ibuka in 1946. This revolutionary "pocketable" portable AM radio was the initial international export by Sony, and quickly captured the world's imagination. (Harry B. received one of these from his parents, as a Honolulu schoolboy circa 1960, and immediately embraced the portability of the inovative radio.)
A 1943 poster invites Hawaiian music fans in New York to enjoy Lani McIntire & his Orchestra, featuring The Honolulu Maids, at the "Eastern Outpost of Hawaii", the "Hawaiian Room" of the "Hotel Lexington". Charles E. Rochester served as V.P. & Managing Director of the "Hawaiian Room" in the basement of the "Hotel Lexington" on Lexington Avenue at 48th Street, in New York City.
May 1st, 1928 marked the 1st observance of Hawaii's "May Day Is Lei Day In Hawaii". The brainchild of author/poet Don Blanding and Star-Bulletin columnist Grace Tower Warren, Princess Abigail Kawanakoa created the custom of the May Day Queen & her court by selecting Nina Bowman (2nd from left) as the 1st Queen. The tradition continues today, buoyed by the annual May Day concert at the Waikiki Shell featuring the Brothers Cazimero.
Ray Kinney, star of the Hawaiian Room of the Lexington Hotel in New York City during the late 1930s and early 1940s, surrrounded by his lovely line of hula dancers.
When visiting Maui, check out Makawao. The entire town is a page right out of the Territory of Hawaii. Here is the 1923 edifice, the K. Matsui Store, standing where Baldwin Avenue meets Olinda Road. Just across the street, Komoda Bakery offers the original Hawaiian cream puff. So ono! (Photo: Harry B. Soria, Jr.)
Here are some of the stars of Hawaii's music scene in 1979 when "Territorial Airwaves" launched on 1420 AM KCCN radio in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Front & Center) Gabby Pahinui, (far left, going clockwise) Robert Beaumont & Jerry Santos, of "Olomana", Henry Kapono Ka'aihue and Cecilio Rodrigues, of "Cecilio & Kapono". Both Gabby and Robert are now in Hula Heaven, but Jerry still plays regularly, as do C & K (separately, but they do get together for regular reunions as well.) (Photo: Robert Knight)
Radio legend "Whodaguy" Ron Jacobs requested a "Territorial Airwaves" cap in 1984, and wore it for an interview with The Honolulu Advertiser. Often considered the father of "Boss Radio" in 1965 in LA, and acknowledged as the innovator of many of the principles still followed in radio to this day, Ron returned to Hawaii in the 1970s and was an early radio mentor to Harry B. Soria, Jr. Ironically, Ron himself broke in to Hawaii radio in the 1950s, and learned the business at the same stations that Harry B.'s grandfather and father were both still active at. (Photo: The Honolulu Advertiser)
Israel Kamakawiwo'ole sports his brand new "Territorial Airwaves" cap while performing with the "Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau" at the "Ranch House" restaurant in Aina Haina, on February 25, 1982. "Territorial Airwaves" was broadcasting live each week on 1420 AM KCCN, "Station Aloha". The KCCN staff were in attendance in force this particular evening, as we were were announcing a live remote broadcast of the evening's show, featuring the "Sons". During intermission, IZ asked Harry B. for one of the caps he had heard about on "Territorial Airwaves", and began wearing it immediately. (Photo: The Honolulu Advertiser)
Loretta Ables Sayre and Harry B. Soria, Jr. co-hosted the PBS Hawaii Live Pledge Drive on Thursday evening, October 11, 2007. The Hawaii television affliliate of the Public Broadcasting System broadcasts to all of the Hawaiian Islands. Loretta has been chosen for the role of "Bloody Mary" in the production of "South Pacific" at Lincoln Center in New York City. Although they have known each other in Hawaii for 30 years, this was the first opportunity for Loretta and Harry B. to work together. (Photo: Forest Cutright)
Harry B. Soria, Jr. had the honor of emceeing the grand reception held by Sony Hawaii at the Coral Ballroom of the Hawaiian Village Hotel on Monday, October 1, 2007. The event marked the formal change of leadership at Sony Hawaii. President Don Kim became Senior Advisor, while Naobumi "Ned" Nomura accepted the Presidency of Sony Hawaii. Those in attendance included Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle, former Governor Ben Cayetano, Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hanneman, and many other Hawaii political and business leaders. (Photo: Mr. Ha)
Don "Flip" McDiarmid, III, Mahela Ichinose, and Harry B. Soria, Jr. hook up after the 5th annual Hapa Haole Hula Festival in Waikiki on Friday, October 5, 2007. Flip served as a judge and awarded the 1st place prize in the vocal category of a recording contract with his company, "Hula Records". Mahela sang during the concert portion of the show. Harry B. Soria, Jr. emceed the evening.
Harry B. Soria, Jr. (right) is joined backstage at the 2007 Aloha Festivals Hawaiian Falsetto Contest by the 2007 Aloha Festivals King and his daughter. Ocean Kaowili (left) was the Mo'i (King) of the 2007 Aloha Festivals Royal Court, while his daughter served as one of the princesses in the court (kamali'i wahine). Ocean's reign was for the entire Aloha Festivals celebration September through October 2007.
Harry B. Soria, Jr. (right) greets guests at the 2007 Aloha Festivals Hawaiian Falsetto Contest on Friday, September 28, 2007 at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. Kahu Wendell Davis (left) accepted the award for his father, Kai Davis, upon Kai's induction into the Falsetto Hall of Fame. (Also inducted were: Andy Cummings, Gabby Pahinui, and George Kaina'au.) Vicky Hollinger, (center), an accomplished musician and author, was one of our music judges for the event. Harry B. co-emceed with Karen Keawehawaii.
