Don Ho facts for kids

Donald Tai Loy "Don" Ho (simplified Chinese: 何大来; traditional Chinese: 何大來; pinyin: Hé Dàlái; August 13, 1930 – April 14, 2007) was a famous Hawaiian musician, singer, and actor. He was best known for his Hawaiian-themed shows and his hit song "Tiny Bubbles". Don Ho shared the spirit of Hawaii with people all over the world.

Early Life and Family

Don Ho was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. His family had roots from China, Hawaii, Portugal, Holland, and Germany. He grew up in the quiet neighborhood of Kakaʻako in Honolulu. Later, his family moved to Kāneʻohe on the island of Oʻahu.

Don went to Kamehameha Schools, graduating in 1949. He then attended Springfield College on a football scholarship. After a year, he returned home. He earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from the University of Hawai'i in 1953.

In 1954, Don Ho joined the United States Air Force. He trained in Mississippi and flew fighter jets in Texas and Hawaii. While stationed in California, he bought an electronic keyboard. He often said this was when his music journey truly began.

Don Ho married his high school sweetheart, Melvamay Kolokea Wong, in 1951. They had six children together. She passed away in 1999 after 48 years of marriage. Don Ho lived in many different states with his family during his time in the military. He later returned to Hawaii to help his mother, Honey Ho, with their family bar called Honey's.

Singing Career Begins

Don Ho left the United States Air Force in 1959. He started singing at his mother's club in Kaneohe. Honey's became a popular spot for local entertainment. Many customers were from the nearby Kaneohe Marine Base. Don Ho always respected the military, remembering his own service.

In 1963, he moved the club to Waikīkī, a famous area in Honolulu. His shows became very successful. Soon, he was asked to perform at Duke's, a nightclub owned by the legendary Duke Kahanamoku. This is where important people from record companies first noticed his talent.

Don Ho signed with Reprise Records. He released his first album, Don Ho Show, in 1965. His fame grew, and he began performing in big cities like Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, and New York City.

In 1966, he released a live album called Don Ho — Again!. Later that year, he released his most famous song, "Tiny Bubbles". This song became a huge hit, reaching the top 10 on the pop music charts. The Tiny Bubbles album stayed in the Top 20 for almost a year.

Acting on Television

Don Ho made many guest appearances on popular television series. You might have seen him on shows like I Dream of Jeannie, The Brady Bunch, Sanford and Son, Batman, Charlie's Angels, and Fantasy Island.

Even though his album sales were highest in the late 1960s, he got his own television series on ABC. It was called the Don Ho Show. This variety program aired from October 1976 to March 1977.

Family and Later Years

Don Ho had ten children. He loved working with them and taught them about the entertainment business. Many of his children performed with him or helped with his shows. His daughter, Hoku, became a well-known singer in 2000. In 2005, Don Ho sang a song for the opening theme of the animated movie Aloha, Scooby-Doo!.

Health Challenges

In 1995, when he was 65, Don Ho's health began to decline. He had a small stroke. By 2002, he developed a serious heart condition. Despite these challenges, he remained hopeful and kept singing every night. He believed there was always a way to improve things.

In 2005, he was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, a heart muscle disease. He had a pacemaker implanted. He also explored new treatments, including a special stem cell procedure for heart conditions. In December 2005, he received his own stem cells in his heart in Thailand. The treatment went well, and he felt much better afterward.

Don Ho married Haumea Hebenstreit in September 2006. She also worked on his show in Waikīkī. A few days later, he had cardiac arrest. He had a new pacemaker installed, but he sadly passed away from heart failure in Waikīkī on April 14, 2007.

• Don Ho's authorized autobiography, DON HO: My Music, My Life with Jerry Hopkins. ISBN: 978-0-9790647-4-6