She sang in glee clubs in high school but her studies at the University of Hawaii were cut short by World War II.

[1][2] Kahauolopua was a featured vocalist on the radio show Hawaii Calls, hosted by Webley Edwards, from 1945 to 1950.

Kahauolopua then came to the attention of Arthur Godfrey who brought her to New York, where she appeared frequently on his shows, dancing the hula as well as singing, and in a number of Hawaiian extravaganzas staged by Godfrey.

[1][2][3] Kahauolopua cut a number of records, usually accompanied by Godfrey and his ukulele and the Archie Bleyer Orchestra, and sometimes by The Mariners vocal group.

[5] Kahauolopua then retired from show business at a fairly young age, to the small rural town of Union City, Indiana[2] to live with her friends the Paul Keck family.