Large amounts of fairgoers heard Kailimai's most popular hapa haole composition "On the Beach at Waikiki" while they passed through the Hawaiian Building, which, as a result, helped the song find commercial success in the mainland United States.

[2] While "On the Beach at Waikiki" was Kailimai's most popular song, he composed many others during his lifetime, including "Sweet Brown Maid of Kaimuki", "Little Honolulu Lou", and "Paradise Isle".

[2] Henry Ford also offered each of Kailimai's sons a full education and guaranteed employment at his company.

[1] After the disbanding of the Quintet, Kailimai remained in Detroit and held various jobs, including in the auto industry and as a sales clerk.

[1] He died on February 7, 1948,[6] and was posthumously honored for his "outstanding musical achievements" by the Detroit City Council in 2016.