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| | | Original Post By: Ted Gottfried | Date: 4/14/ PM | 'Tiny Bubbles' Singer Don Ho Dies at 76
HONOLULU (AP) -- Legendary crooner Don Ho, known for his raspberry-tinted sunglasses and catchy signature tune ''Tiny Bubbles,'' has died, his publicist said. He was
Publicist Donna Jung said the singer died Saturday morning of heart failure. He had suffered with heart problems for the past several years, and had a pacemaker installed gods fall. In , he underwent an experimental stem cell procedure on his ailing heart in Thailand in
Ho entertained Hollywood's biggest stars and thousands of tourists for four decades. For many, no trip to Hawaii was complete without seeing his Waikiki show -- a mix of songs, jokes, double entendres, Hawaii history and audience participation.
Shows usually started and ended with the same song, • The icon of breezy island entertainment, Don Ho became synonymous with Hawaii and all it representedcolorful leis and shirts, festive luaus, strumming ukuleles, flowing palm trees, beautiful hula dancers, and, of course, the song "Tiny Bubbles". A trip to the "Aloha State" seemed incomplete unless capped by a Don Ho performance, a tourist attraction unto itself. He delighted thousands upon thousands for nearly five decades and was dubbed that island's "goodwill ambassador".
Born in the small Honolulu neighborhood of Kakaako on August 13, , he was one of nine children blessed with a mixed ethnic heritage that encompassed the Hawaiian, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch and German cultures. He was a high school football star by the time he left the state to study at Springfield College in Massachusetts. Chronic homesickness had him returning to his beloved island by year's end. Attending the University of Hawaii in , he earned a BA in sociology, the • Entertainer Don Ho, Hawaii's best ambassador, dies at 76STAR-BULLETIN FILE
Don Ho, second from left, sits with Sam Kapu, left, Angel Pablo, Patty Swalley and Tokyo Joe, members of his show-business family, in this photo. CLICK FOR LARGE |
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For five decades, his Waikiki show was the highlight for touristsBy John Berger
jberger@ &#; Don Ho - - We'll Remember You
&#; Don Ho, Hawaii's best ambassador, dies at 76
&#; Waikiki marks passing of icon, end of an era
&#; Ho was an inspiration to Kahoano and others Don Ho, the biggest and best-known Hawaiian entertainer of the last 50 years, died yesterday morning of heart failure, his publicist Donna Jung confirmed. He was Known worldwide for his recordings of songs such as "Tiny Bubbles" and "I'll Remember You," Ho was a Waikiki showroom headliner for 43 years -- from , when he opened with the Aliis at Duke Kahanamoku's in the International Market Place, until his death. Island concert promot 
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