Gathering recalls music
and memories of Dennis Pavao

Friends and family remember the
singer as having a big heart

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By Gary T. Kubota
gkubota@starbulletin.com

KAHULUI >> About 3,000 people came from various corners of the state yesterday to say goodbye to one of the best falsetto voices in Hawaiian music.

Those who recalled the life of Dennis Pavao said while he was a big talent, he also was known for his big heart, singing at hundreds of benefit concerts for a variety of groups, including Pop Warner youth football teams, canoe clubs and the Punana Leo Hawaiian-language immersion program.

"He did everybody's fund-raiser," said Akoni Akana, executive director of Friends of Mokuula, a group seeking to restore an islet that was once the home of King Kamehameha I.

Pavao died on Jan. 18 of a brain aneurysm. He was 50. He was a part of what some call the "Hawaiian Renaissance" of the early 1970s, when there emerged a growing awareness and appreciation of native history, culture and music.

During his eulogy, singer Kelly Boy De Lima of the group Kapena said Pavao was his "hero" and had a tremendous influence on his music.

"If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be where I am," De Lima said.

The funeral service celebrated Pavao's life, with friends telling anecdotes and Hawaiian entertainers, including Aunty Genoa Keawe and Willie K, singing during the viewing.

The Pavao family and those attending the services applauded a number of times.

As part of the trio Hui Ohana, Pavao's popularity rose as he sang in Waikiki. But he continued to share his talent by entertaining at benefit concerts, including one for the evicted native Hawaiians and farmers of Kalama Valley in Hawaii Kai in the early 1970s.

"He was quite passionate about the Hawaiians and reparations," said his wife, S. Leialoha Spencer-Pavao.

"He was never into the money. He was actually quite shy. That's something I admired about him."

She said whenever he sang, he imagined he was singing to the kupuna, or Hawaiian elders. Spencer-Pavao said Dennis never quite understood why everyone made "such a big thing" out of what he did, because he just sang the way he learned the music at home.

The son of a Hawaiian woman and Portuguese father, Pavao was raised in the Hawaiian community of Kalapana on the Big Island. He grew up speaking Hawaiian and playing Hawaiian music with relatives, including Ledward and Nedward Kaapana, who later joined him to form Hui Ohana.

After graduating from high school, Pavao headed for Oahu to work in construction and began entertaining at parties at various places, including a bowling alley in Kalihi. He eventually moved to Maui to entertain at luaus.

Hui Ohana recorded several successful albums before breaking up to pursue individual careers.

Pavao received several Hoku Awards, including Male Vocalist of the Year honors in 1987 for the album "Ka Keo Ki'eki'e." The reunited trio received Single of the Year honors in 1988 for "Pua Carnation."

Accompanying the Makaha Sons of Niihau and a number of entertainers, Pavao also sang at Carnegie Hall in New York in the mid-1990s.

"He made it to the big stage. It was such a beautiful concert," recalled Spencer-Pavao. "He sang like an angel."

De Lima said that in a sense, Pavao has not died because his music will live in the hearts of people.

"He's up there singing his song and making people happy," he said.

Pavao is survived by his wife, three sons, five daughters, his parents, three brothers and four sisters.

Viewing followed by services on the Big Island are scheduled at 4 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday at Star of the Sea in Kaimu-Makena Kalapana.

Condolences may be sent to the Pavao family in care of radio station KPOA 93.5 FM at 311 Ano St., Kahului, HI 96732; or by e-mail to dennispavao@hotmail.com.