Hawaii Calls

The show selected the best musicians and singers, with the purpose of showcasing what authentic Hawaiian music is like when played by native performers, but with one major difference—the lyrics were sung in English[2] and intended for white audiences.

[5] Ray Andrade was a charter member of the Harry Owens Royal Hawaiian Hotel Orchestra and became one of the first vocalists on the Hawaii Calls radio show.

Other well known Hawaiian performers such as Martin Denny, Hilo Hattie, Ed Kenney, Benny Kalama, hula dancer Beverly Noa and Arthur Lyman also made appearances.

There are also several compact disc compilations released by Hula Records, the company that owns the rights to the name Hawaii Calls and the show's surviving archives.

In 1992, "Hawaii Calls" hosted by Bill Bigelow was revived for a one-year run at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, but it failed to attract enough financial support to continue.

The show included live performances by vocalists Nina Keali'iwahamana and Aaron Sala, hula dancer Kanoe Miller, and the Hawaii Calls Quintet including Sally (Sarah) Kamalani, and also archival performances by Alfred Apaka, Lani Custino, Hilo Hattie, Haunani Kahalewai, Ed Kenny, Charles Kaipo Miller, Beverly Noa, Ponce Ponce and Boyce Rodrigues.