Live Life Team
When Richard King wrote the “Hawaiian Wedding Song” for his operetta, “Prince of Hawaii,” in 1926, he probably could not imagine that this would become the most popular song in the islands for tying the proverbial wedding knot. Just as the bright, bold and colourful Aloha shirts have become synonymous with Hawaii, this tenderly phrased musical love poem is also a reminder of these romantic islands.
It was originally called “Ke Kali Nei Au,” which is Hawaiian for “Waiting Here for You.” The title was changed in 1958 when the pair of Al Hoffman and Dick Manning translated the song into English. It was first recorded in the United States in 1959 by Andy Williams. It was the biggest hit version of the song, reaching #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 Hit chart. In the United Kingdom, the song was recorded by Julie Rogers in 1965 and climbed to #31 on the UK singles chart.
The biggest showcase for the song, and for Hawaii itself, was when it was made part of the film, “Blue Hawaii,” which featured Elvis Presley, in 1961. Tourism to the Hawaiian Islands was in its infancy, and thanks to the emerging power of the media, the world suddenly knew where Hawaii was and how beautiful and romantic a place it was, especially as an ideal wedding site. Ever since, happy couples have been coming to the islands for weddings, honeymoons, anniversaries or just because and are touched when they hear one of the most romantic wedding songs of all time.
