Napua Stevens facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Napua Stevens
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Stevens presenting the annual Kamehameha Day for KITV in the 1970s.
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| Born |
Harriet Daisy Kawaiala Kao'ionapuapi'ilani Stevens
August 31, 1918 |
| Died | January 7, 1990 |
| Nationality | Hawaiian, Irish, English |
| Spouse(s) | Gordon Hunter Poire |
Napua Stevens Poire (born Harriet Daisy Kawaiala Kao'ionapuaopi'ilani Stevens) was a famous Hawaiian entertainer. She was born on August 31, 1918, and passed away on January 7, 1990. Napua was a talented singer, hula dancer, and musician.
She was also a well-known radio and television personality. Many people knew her from her radio show KTRG and her TV cooking show, Napua's Kitchen. Napua Stevens was famous for her songs like "Beyond The Reef" and "Hawaiian Hospitality." She even appeared in the popular TV series Hawaii Five-O.
About Napua Stevens
Napua Stevens was born in Hawi, North Kohala, Hawaii. Her family had a long history in Hawaii. She was a descendant of Charles Stevens, an American whaler who came to Hawaii in the 1840s.
Napua was one of six children. Her parents were Robert Naea Stevens and Julia Kaaoaolahilahiokeohokalole Bell. Her full Hawaiian name, Kawaiala Kao'ionapuaopi'ilani, means "the perfumed water" and "the finest flower in the bouquet of Pi'ilani." She had both Hawaiian and Scottish family roots.
Her Music Career
In 1949, Napua Stevens recorded the song "Beyond The Reef." This song became very popular. Other famous singers like Bing Crosby and Elvis Presley later recorded it too.
Some of her other well-known songs include "Hawaiian Hospitality" and "I Want to Learn to Speak Hawaiian." In "Hawaiian Hospitality," she sings about meeting a friendly local person on Waikiki beach. In "I Want to Learn to Speak Hawaiian," she shares her wish to learn the Hawaiian language. She wanted to say sweet things and do the hula.
Television and Other Work
Napua Stevens was very busy in the 1950s and 1960s. She hosted her own radio show called KTRG. She also had a TV cooking show, Napua's Kitchen, which ran for eight years.
She made two guest appearances in the TV show Hawaii Five-O. Napua also narrated the television coverage of the yearly Kamehameha Day parade for many years. She did this for KITV in the 1970s.
Napua was also good at crafts. In 1971, she wrote a book called The Hawaiian Quilt. This book was a guide for making traditional Hawaiian quilts.
Her Family
Napua Stevens had a cousin named Bill Ali'iloa Lincoln. He was also a famous hula musician. Many people in Napua's family were successful musicians or entertainers in Hawaii.
Napua Stevens passed away on January 7, 1990, when she was 71 years old.
