Webley Edwards & Hawaii Calls

Only statehood has done more for Hawaiian music over the decades than Webley Edwards and his evergreen "Hawaii Calls" radio broadcast and television program.

In 1935 Edwards began producing the "Hawaii Calls," which continues to be broadcast every Saturday afternoon to radio stations worldwide. Recording usually took place on the beach at Waikiki; the surf even can be heard on some albums. A much later development, the television program presented lush views of the new state of Hawaii in the early stages of high tourism and development. Between the two, Edwards has lured more people to Hawaii than anyone else. He also had the good sense to collect and archive even the rarest, most obscure, and even often homemade recordings and musical transcriptions from the very beginning of the show. These were items given to him in order to form a vast repertoire for the performers; they also helped establish Hawaiian music with copyrighted permanence.

Almost every major star of the Hawaiian music scene appeared on "Hawaii Calls" in one capacity or another. In many cases the sons and daughters of previous "Hawaii Calls" stars participated. Major names include Pua Almeida, Alfred Apaka, Mahi Beamer, Ben Kalama, Ed Kenney, Ray Kinney, Arthur Lyman, Charles Kaipo Miller, Nina Kealiwahamana, and Kahaunaniomaunakeakkauiokalewa Kahalewai, or Haunani for short. Most of the Hawaii Calls albums credit Al Kealoha Perry, Edwards' staff musician and orchestra leader.