Hal Aloma

Aloma was born on January 8, 1908[2] in Honolulu[3] as Harold David Alama.[4] He changed his name in the 1930s in response to the movies Bird of Paradise and Aloma of the South Seas.[3] Aloma joined Lani McIntyre's band as steel guitarist. He began his musical career with his brother, Sam Alama at the Alexander Young Hotel and the Moana Hotel.[5] Under his own name, he recorded three sessions for Decca records between February and April 1944.[4] In 1944, when McIntyre left a four-year booking at the Hawaiian Room in New York's Hotel Lexington, Aloma formed his own band and took over the engagement.[6] MGM booked him for two sessions in 1952, resulting in eight sides which were later compiled into an LP album.[4] He first recorded for Columbia Records in August and September 1953, resulting in song appearing not only on U.S. Columbia, but on Japanese Columbia and Philips in the Netherlands.[4] He was featured on the Ed Sullivan Show on June 19, 1960 in a segment in tribute to Hawaii's statehood.[7] When Disney's Polynesian Village Resort opened Aloma was the bandleader.[3] Aloma died on June 26, 1980.[2]

Aloma was accounted as a "typical" traditional Hawaiian singer, although he recorded tracks that were intended to appeal to currently popular tastes.[8] His original band's instrumentation had more in common with the big band of the day than with traditional Hawaiian music.[6] Nevertheless it was accounted to be smooth "island music" even though it also performed current American pop music.[6] In addition to musicians, his touring band also employed young women as hula dancers.[9] Billboard stated that "Hawaiian music at its best is expected" of Aloma, describing his music as authentic and charming.[10] He composed more than 65 songs.[5]