Mahi Beamer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mahi Beamer
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Cover art 1959 LP
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Edwin Mahiai Copp Beamer |
| Born | December 5, 1928 Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii |
| Died | July 14, 2017 (aged 88) |
| Genres | Hawaiian |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, dancer, composer |
| Instruments | Vocals, piano, glockenspiel |
Edwin Mahiʻai (Mahi) Copp Beamer (born December 5, 1928 – died July 14, 2017) was a talented Hawaiian singer, composer, and hula dancer. He was known for his special singing voice called tenor falsetto. Mahi was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. His grandmother was the famous Hawaiian musician Helen Desha Beamer.
Mahi Beamer was a very important person in Hawaiian music and culture. In 2006, he was added to the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame. He was also named a "Living Treasure of Hawaii" in 2008. This award honors people who have made great contributions to Hawaii. He received other awards too, like the 1992 State of Hawaii Recognition Award for his music. He also got the 1993 David Malo award for his cultural work.
Mahi Beamer's Life and Career
Mahi Beamer graduated from Kamehameha Schools in 1946. He then studied music at the University of California, Santa Barbara and the Juilliard School of Music. He was a cousin to another famous Hawaiian dancer, Winona Beamer. Mahi and Winona, along with her son Keola, once toured North America. They performed ancient Hawaiian hula, which is a traditional dance.
Mahi Beamer also served in the United States Army after World War II. He was stationed at Schofield Barracks in Wahiawa, on the island of Oahu. During his time in the army, he played classical piano and the glockenspiel, which is a musical instrument like a xylophone.
After his army service, Mahi started his music career. He sang for three years at the Queen's Surf in Waikiki. In 1959, he had a small singing part in the movie Forbidden Island. This movie was filmed in Hawaii. Mahi also performed at famous places like Carnegie Hall in New York City. For thirteen years, he was a main performer in Nalani Kele's Polynesian Review. This show was at the Stardust Resort and Casino in Paradise, Nevada.
Mahi Beamer performed at many places in Hawaii, his home state. He recorded many songs that his grandmother had composed. In 1991, the Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts gave Mahi Beamer a special Lifetime Achievement Award. This award honored his many years of amazing work in music.
Mahi Beamer passed away in Honolulu on July 14, 2017, when he was 88 years old.
Songs by Mahi Beamer (Partial List)
Mahi Beamer recorded many songs during his career. Here are some of them:
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