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APAKA ERA AT THE HILTON HAWAIIAN VILLAGE TO END ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 15, 2005
Jeffrey Apaka Will Close 5-year Run; Annual Alfred Apaka Tribute Also Ending
HONOLULU: DRAFT3 OF OCTOBER 28. 2015 — After a successful five-year run in the Tapa Bar at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort, headliner Jeffrey Apaka will perform his final show on Sunday November 15th, 2015, from 5 – 7 pm.
Apaka said, “Performing in front of such a sophisticated international audience every week has been a rare and personally rewarding experience. I leave knowing that I was able to share the very essence of Aloha that’s embodied in much of the music I perform.” Apaka is known for his romantic baritone voice and his repertoire includes the world’s favorite classic hapa-haole love songs of the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s to honor his father — as well as his own “mixed bag” of other crowd pleasing songs. A particular favorite, Dark Moon was written by Jeff’s friend, actress/song writer Gayle Storm and 16 Tons was an international hit by Tennessee Ernie Ford who made the Hawaiian Village his home away from home with his family.
What’s next for Jeff? For now, Jeff intends to take a well-earned vacation and he will continue as the full-time Director of Community Relations for the Waikiki Community Center, working to expand the Center’s child-care programs. Jeff notes, “The Waikiki Community Center provides a much-needed program for the more than 30,000 employees in 
Waikiki who work on three shifts. Jeff is also responsible for the Center’s senior’s programs which now assist X00 seniors every month.” Jeff also coordinates unique events throughout the year — including the annual Duke Kahanamoku Beach Challenge — to raise unrestricted funds for the Center’s programs and services.
All in all, it’s easy to expect “Jeff Apaka’s glorious romantic baritone voice and his ability to keep the audience amused, entertained, and hating to leave” will again manifest. Because of his heritage and the fact that he was reared “On both sides of the pond,” Jeff has gained a most special understanding of the diverse audiences who travel to Hawai‘i looking for the magic. More about Jeffrey Apaka HERE and HERE.
ANNUAL ALFRED APAKA BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE ALSO ENDING
Don Ho was the original inspiration behind the annual birthday tribute to Jeff’s father Alfred Apaka which Jeff has produced for the past five years at the Hilton. Jeff notes, “Don came to me with the idea “quote needed”.
Before Don Ho there was Alfred Apaka, “The Golden Voice of Hawaii.” During the 1940’s and 1950’s, Apaka was Hawaii’s most famous entertainer and his show was a “must see” for all visitors. Apaka was indeed the most influential local performer of his time, setting the standard for all modern Hawaiian music. His voice, masculine good looks and personality truly helped put Henry Kaiser’s Hawaiian Village Hotel and Hawaii on the map. Apaka was planning his own national television special at the time of his unexpected heart attack and death at the age of forty in 1960. He was buried with a microphone in his hands.
The annual birthday tributes have garnered the participation of literally scores of hawaii’s living legends of song and dance as well as many of Hawaii’s current stars (below).
View a slide show with music and photos of the 2011 Alfred Apaka Birthday Tribute HERE. Read more about Alfred Apaka HERE and HERE.
About Scott Foster 