Rest In Paradise, Don Ho

(CBS)  This column was written by CBS News Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith.

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You've probably heard by now that Don Ho died. Once upon a time he was huge. He was one of the reasons mainlanders flocked to Hawaii.

You know the image: His guitar strumming Hawaiian songs, shared around a mock mai tai table. It brings a smile to my face. Ho's Hawaiian shirt and beaming face were fixtures of 1970s television, back in the day when broadcasting was still broad.

The nation was in turmoil, young folks were dying overseas, the status quo was in heave ho, and Don just did his thing. He was big time mellow. In a way he was a precursor to Jimmy Buffet, though he was so mellow he made Mr. Margaritaville look like he needed prozac.

Somewhere in my brain there is a lounge act where Ho is always singing. The palm trees are swaying, the man's got a smile on his face, some kind of pineapple juice concoction is chillin' — and so am I.

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Harry's daily commentary can be heard on many CBS Radio News affiliates across the country.
By Harry Smith

[glcglcjr]

It was late spring in 1969. Don Ho made a local SFO Bay Area appearance at the Circle Star Arena, now the home of Oracle. I was too young to attend, however my parents were front row center stage, or at least that was how the tickets were solicited. The old Circle Star was equiped with a revolving stage so the entire audience was permitted to view the entertainers head on from time to time. At any rate, the rest of the story, my father a "haole" for all intense and purposes was capitvated by the heritage of my island mother and when given the chance would be sure to take advantage of the spotlight and do something funny no matter how embarrassing it might be for mom. Notwithstanding, Don Ho broke out with his memorable "Tiny Bubbles" and there was dad in all his grandure, rolled up pant legs and dinner jacket tied around his waist for hula skirt dancing to the island beat. Needless to say it became somewhat of a show stopper, but for bruddah Don - well he just continue to jam for this strange hula dancing man from Concord, CA as the audience, and many family members cheered him on. Don Ho will truly be missed as Hawaii's ambassador of ALOHA! Mahalo to Don for the many years of smiles and memories. . . GLCJR, Byron, CA

[jalphonse-2009]

In 1980 I suprised my Mother with a trip to Hawaii. It was her dream along with getting to see Don Ho. I did not want to go to his show but I took her anyway on the first night to get it over with. Once he walked on stage and came over and sang directly to us, I was hooked.He invited us backstage after the show and that was it for us.We spent the next ten days, two shows a night with him.He was the nicest and kindest man. On our last night, he introduced my Mother to the audience and presented her with a bottle of champagne. For my Mother it was the trip of her life. When we left Hawaii, he even called us to make sure we had a safe return. My Mother is 84 now and we will never forget how special he made us feel. He wasn't just an entertainer, he was a beautiful human being.

[themooniac]

Thats right, Don Ho was the man!

[mitch0927]

Harry, before the crowd comes in and starts knocking your story and Don Ho, I would like to thank you for that piece. While in the Navy, I stayed at one of the hotels on Waikiki Beach and had the pleasure of seeing Don Ho. There were just a few people in the lounge, so I had the opportunity to sit by him while he sang and talked with the audience. It was great, the man looked so relaxed up there, you just had the feeling you were in his living room and he was entertaining some friends. Again, thanks for the story and yes, may Don Ho rest in paradise.