Sad News: Goodbye to Solomon Ho'opi'i

I was saddened to learn this week that Hawaiian falsetto singer and musician Solomon Ho'opi'i, of the Hawaiian music duo the Ho'opi'i Brothers, died on Wednesday March 1, 2006, at the age of 70, from complications caused by diabetes. Sol stopped singing in 1999 because of poor health, but he enjoyed life right up to the end, even though he was undergoing kidney dialysis three times a week at the time of his death. Solomon and Richard Ho'opi'i were born in the small town of Kahakuloa in West Maui, and they started performing at a young age in churches and in school. They taught themselves to sing and play the ukulele in the old Hawaiian style by listening to the recordings of the old masters. In 1968 they formed their own group, calling themselves the "Ho'onanea Serenaders". Eventually they became known as simply the The Ho'opi'i Brothers. The brothers received a 1996 National Endowment for the Arts Award for their contribution to perpuating an important cultural art form for future generations to enjoy. They also received the 1997 Na Hoku Hanohano "Group of the Year" Award. Solomon Ho'opi'i is survived by his wife Gladys and his nine children, thirty-two grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. Here are two articles announcing his death and celebrating his life:

Solomon Ho'opi'i Dies At Age 70 (Honolulu Advertiser)

Falsetto Specialist Sol Ho'opi'i Dies (Maui News)