Post #618002 by TikiTomD on Tue, Dec 20, 2011 3:47 PM

I asked Wailana to email me her memories of the various Polynesian shows that had performed at the Hawaiian Inn from the beginning to now. Her recollections follow...

On 2011-12-19, Wailana wrote:
Now to the history of the shows at the Hawaiian Inn...

The first show started in roughly 1965 or 1966 by a Samoan woman named Otila Massaro. The name of her show was “South Sea Island Magic.” It continued until approximately 1987. My parents were a part of this show. My father was named Prince Benjamin Pokii Hele Loa I Ko Aina Kelii Waiwaiole; my mother's stage name is Kalene Ku'ulei Teipo Temarama and her birth name is Darlene Dawn Wharton Waiwaiole. My mother performed on and off until 1972. My father mainly performed at his club on Long Island, "The Bali-Hai," or was touring the US with my mother. The name of my father’s group was "Silhouettes of the Tropics."

There were a few short term groups that I can't remember the names of.

In mid 1987, “Ali'i O Samoa” started their run by Doug Ali'i Slade, continuing until 1994.

From 1994 to 2008, there was "Teauila's Hawaii" run by Wayne and Teauila (Dorothy) Travassos.

From June to December 2009, there was "Drums of Tahiti" run by Andy and Moeata Tehani.

I have had the show from since then to now. My group is called "Silhouettes of Polynesia."

I have been a part of the shows at the Hawaiian Inn since 1982.

A bit of clarification: the show names and performer group names may or may not have been identical to each other. For example, Patti Santiago and her husband have operated Ohana Luau since February of 2008, but their performers’ group names have included “Drums of Tahiti” and "Silhouettes of Polynesia."

There’s a nice article by Bethany Chambers in the Hometown News edition of February 5, 2009 entitled "Ohana Luau offers 'hipnotic' entertainment." Here’s an interesting excerpt...

Onstage, the show is run by Wailana Waiwaiole-McFall, daughter of the show's original stars, Prince Pokihele Loaf Ko Ainae Kelii Waiwaiole, the last of the Hawaiian princes before the islands became a U.S. state, and his French/Tahitian wife, Princess Kalenakuulei Teipotemarama Waiwaiole.
Ms. McFall's husband, Esene McFall of Samoa, is the band's drummer. Even owners Jose Santiago and wife Patti, of Ormond Beach, met at the Hawaiian Inn.

Esene, Wailana’s husband, is from Apia, Samoa (recall that as the setting for the good Dr. Funk and his famous cocktail of the same name).

I found an article and an ad in the Google News archives describing that first “South Sea Island Magic” show...

Daytona Beach Morning Journal January 27, 1979 (page 3)

Daytona Beach Morning Journal August 18, 1978 (page 15)

There is internet evidence that, as of 2009, Otila was still active in the Manatee County (Bradenton), Florida area doing shows, teaching hula and recruiting hula dancers.

Wailana stated that “Drums of Tahiti” played at the Hawaiian Inn in 2009. This newspaper entertainment clip indicates that the show played in an earlier time at Sea World in Orlando...

The Evening Independent May 31, 1985 (page 32)

-Tom