Machado’s luaus boosted
isle celebrities’ careers

The isle businessman was also
famous for Big Island fishing

More obituaries
Ayau remembered

---

By Rod Antone
rantone@starbulletin.com

Charles "Chuck" Machado Jr., whose name was synonymous with Waikiki luaus and Big Island fishing tournaments, died Saturday at Straub Clinic and Hospital. He was 62.

Machado was best known as the owner and operator of Chuck Machado Luaus, which he started as a moonlighting venture in 1963 while still helping to manage Aloha Lei Greeters.

By the 1970s, Machado was running a $2 million-a-year business, which fed and entertained thousands of people every week.

In 1977 the U.S. Small Business Administration selected Machado as the small businessman for the year, the first person of Hawaiian ancestry to be selected for the award.

As an avid fisherman Machado also hosted world-famous fishing tournaments on the Big Island which offered thousands of dollars in cash prizes. When asked during an interview why he hosted such elaborate tournaments, Machado answered, "I love to fish, I like to party."

Machado's luaus also gave many local celebrities their first taste of show business and being on stage. Every show featured Doug Mossman as emcee and the legendary kumu hula Noenoe Zuttermeister along with some soon-to-be legends in Hawaiian music.

Entertainer Nohelani Cypriano said she used to play drums for her mother's show.

"It was my first experience of being on stage.

"It was a happening luau in those days. ... It was the only luau. Chuck was so easy to work with."

Machado was born in Kailua-Kona. He is survived by sons Charles P. III and Myles, daughter Monica and sisters Carolyn Machado and Brenda Machado Lee.

Memorial services are set for 5 p.m. today at Christ Episcopal Church in Kealakekua, Kona; call after 3 p.m.

Another ceremony is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at Borthwick Mortuary in Honolulu; call after 9 a.m. A scattering of ashes is to follow fronting the Outrigger Hotel in Waikiki.

Machado's family requests that aloha attire be worn during the ceremonies.