Whatever
Happened...
Question: Around 1958 to 1962 there was a smooth-sounding singing group called the Surfers singing Hawaiian and hapa-haole songs. The only member name I can remember is Clayton Naluai. What became of them? Surfers had da smooth-
kine music on isleAnswer: The two mainstays of the group were brothers Clayton and Alan Naluai. Alan Naluai died last month of a heart attack. (March 13 Obituaries)
The group also included Bernie Ching, Joe Stevens and Pat DaSilva, said Tom Moffatt, who recorded and produced one of the group's albums in the 1960s, "Shells."
"I produced one album with them, which was one of my favorite albums," Moffatt said.
The Surfers shared the stage with Don Ho at Duke Kahanamoku's in the 1970s and at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Dome in the 1980s.
"They came out of college together from the West Coast," Moffatt said. "They made quite a splash because they were doing Tahitian stuff."
Alan provided the group's comic relief, while Clayton was the romantic, leading man.
The group has not recorded an album together since the 1970s, Moffatt said.
Though retired, the brothers occasionally worked as a duo, the last time aboard the cruise ship Independence in December and January.
Clayton Naluai said his brother was completing a solo vocal album of Hawaiian tunes, including some of his original compositions, at the time of his death.
B.J. Reyes, Star-Bulletin
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