Lani Kai

Lani Kai (born George Clarence Dennis James Von Ruckleman Woodd III, August 15, 1936 – August 29, 1999) was a Hawaiian singer and actor. He had a role in the Elvis Presley film Blue Hawaii and was a regular cast member of the television series Adventures in Paradise.

Lani Kai [1]
BornAugust 15, 1936
DiedAugust 29, 1999(1999-08-29) (aged 63)
NationalityHawaiian
OccupationActor, singer, entertainer

Background

Kai was born in Honolulu, Hawaii.[2] He was brother of Lee Woodd, and the half brother of Kalai Strode and Junelehua Robertson.[3] His mother Lukia Luana, a Hawaiian princess was married to actor Woody Strode.[4][5] His brother Lee Woodd who was also an actor died on 19 September 2002.[6][7]

Death

He died at the age of 63[8] in August, 1999 at a North Shore home of a friend.[9]

Music career

Kai got an early break on the Don Sherwood Show in San Francisco, California.[10] In late 1959, his single "Now There Are None" / "Isle Of No Aloha" was released.[11] In 1963, his album Island Love Songs was released.[12] In November 1968, he was appearing live at the Hawaii-Five-O club with Al Lopaka and Nephi Hannemann.[13]

In 1968, he had a single released on Don Ho's Hana Ho label.[14]

In the late 1990s, he was working on an album with actor / singer Nephi Hannemann which was to be a follow up to Hannemann's album The Polynesian Man but Kai died before it could come together.[15]

Compositions

His composition "Puka Shells" which was recorded by Rod Young made it to no 2 in the Hawaiian music charts in the mid-1970s.[16] He also co-composed "The Poor People" with Cliff Muller.[17] Another composition "Shells" was recorded by Keola Beamer and included on his album for George Winston's Dancing Cat Records, Wooden Boat album.[18]

Lani Kai discography
Singles
Title Label & cat Year Notes #
"Beach Party" / "Little Brown Gal (Cha Cha Cha)" Keen 5-2023 1959
"I'm Gonna Leave My Heart At Home" / "Beatnik" Keen 8-2103 1959
"Isle Of No Aloha" / "Now There Are None" Keen 5-2023 1959
"Pretty Little Nisei Girl" / "Tamoure'" Chelan 554 19?? Lani Kai & The Shells
Malia" / "Flying Bird" Hana Ho 1024 1968
Albums
Album title Label & cat Year Notes #
Island Love Songs Decca DL 4334 1963
Hawaiian Magic (Featuring The Orchestra Of Lani Kai) Diplomat Records D-2326 1964
Various artists compilation albums
Song title Album title Label & catalogue Year Format Notes
"Mystic Moon" The International Vicious Society Vol. V University Of Vice Records UOVR006 2011 Vinyl LP
"I'm Gonna Leave My Heart At Home" Cheesy Moments Chrome Dreams 2012 CD
"I'm Gonna Leave My Heart At Home" Saints and Sinners Vol 7
16 Obscure Rockin' Shots from Occident that will cut your head off!!!		 Sheik LP-507 2012 Vinyl LP
"I'm Gonna Leave My Heart At Home" Teen Rockin' Party Classics Records clcd 752 2014 CD
"Beach Party" Rockwool Rocker & Ruller Derudaf 2 Rockwool A/S CD
Compositions
Composition Appears on album / single release By artist Label & catalogue Year Format Notes
"Young Land" Tiny Bubbles Don Ho Reprise RS 6232 1966 LP album
"This Young Land" Don Ho And The Aliis Volume II Don Ho Reprise PRO 310 1967 LP album Credited co-writer Ralph Mathis
"This Young Land"
"Tu Tu Kane" "Tu Tu Kane" / "The Windward Side (Of The Island)" Don Ho Reprise 0643 1968 7" Single
"Shells" Paddle, Two Paddle Pat And His Paddlers Kanaka KS-1001 1972 LP Album
"Tu Tu kane" "Tu Tu Kane" / "Tutu Wahine" Nephi Hannemann El Leon Records ERS 45/103 7" single
"Tutu Wahine" "Tu Tu Kane" / "Tutu Wahine" Nephi Hannemann El Leon Records ERS 45/103 7" single
"Shells" Shells The Surfers Trim Records TLP-1979 1974 LP Album
"Tūtūkane" Kū Ha‘aheo Kakou, E Nā Hawai‘i Mel Amina Hana Hou Records HHD 8819-4 1995 Cassette album

Film and television career

When he was 24 years old, he was picked for the television series Adventures in Paradise.[19] He ended up with a role as Kelly the series from 1960-1962.[20][21] He had also played the part of Carl Tanami in the 1961 film Blue Hawaii.[22] Between the late 60s and early 70s, he appeared in a few Hawaii Five-O episodes.[23] In one the episode The Joker's Wild, Man, Wild!, he played the part of Billy Hona. It also starred Beverlee McKinsey.[24]

Filmography

Feature film
  • Blue Hawaii (1961) - Carl Tanami
  • The Late Liz (1971) - Manu (final film role)

Television
  • Adventures in Paradise - Episode: The Forbidden Sea - Khobu - (1 episode) (1960)
  • Adventures in Paradise - Episodes: Various - Kelly Katimakaka, Kelly Kelimanaha, Kelly (26 episodes) (1960–1962)
  • Hawaiian Eye - Episode: Go for Baroque - Johnny (1 episode) (1963)
  • Hawaii Five-O - Episode: Yesterday Died and Tomorrow Won't Be Born - M.K. (1968)
  • Hawaii Five-O - Episode: The Joker's Wild, Man, Wild! - Billy (1969)
  • Hawaii Five-O - Episode: Most Likely to Murder - Lonnie Kahekili (1970)[25]

References
  1. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6788
  2. From Small Screen to Vinyl: A Guide to Television Stars Who Made Records, 1950 - 2000 By Bob Leszczak Page 171 K, Lani Kai
  3. Honolulu Star-Bulletin Thursday, August 26, 1999 Entertainer Lani Kai dies at 63
  4. American Sports: A History of Icons, Idols, and Ideas By Murry R. Nelson Page 1293 Strode, Woody (1914 - 1994)
  5. Honolulu Star-Bulletin Thursday, August 26, 1999 Entertainer Lani Kai dies at 63
  6. Moviefone Lee Woodd
  7. Aveleyman.com Lee Woodd
  8. The Chicago Tribune August 29, 1999 Page 2 of 2, Deaths last week
  9. Honolulu Star-Bulletin Thursday, August 26, 1999 Entertainer Lani Kai dies at 63
  10. MTV Artists Lani Kai, Biography
  11. The Billboard December 7, 1959 Page 54 Pop Records *** Good Sales Potential
  12. Billboard August 3, 1963 Page 31 Just Released! From Decca - Coral For A Profitable Fall
  13. Billboard November 2, 1968 Page 68 International News Reports, From the Music Capitals of the World, Honolulu
  14. Billboard November 16, 1968 Page 84 Cap Releases 3 Ho Singles
  15. Honolulu Star-Bulletin Saturday, January 19, 2002 Whatever Happened... Entertainer Hannemann a ‘believer in human race’ By Pat Gee
  16. Billboard November 30, 1974 Page 45 General News, Island Madness, Puka Shell Craze Leading To Local Song, Disk Hit
  17. Catalog of Copyright Entries: Third series Page 585 Current Registrations
  18. Dancing Cat Records Liner Notes, Wooden Boat
  19. MTV Artists Lani Kai, Biography
  20. Fifties Web Adventures in Paradise
  21. Classic TV Archive Adventures In Paradise (1959-62)
  22. Elvis in Hawaii Blue Hawaii, Cast & Crew
  23. Digitallyobsessed.com Hawaii Five-O: The Second Season (1969/1970)
  24. Booking Hawaii Five-O: An Episode Guide and Critical History of the 1968 - 1970 Television Series By Karen Rhodes Page 65 The Joker's Wild, Man, Wild (#36)
  25. Imdb Lani Kai (1936–1999)
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