ASSOCIATION OF HAWAIIAN CIVIC CLUBS
A RESOLUTION
No. 2019 -14
REMEMBERING BELOVED HUSBAND, FATHER, GRANDFATHER, MUSICIAN AND COMMUNITY MEMBER EDWARD KEONAONA “EDDIE BOY” LILIKO‘I OF LAHAINA, MAUI
WHEREAS, Edward Keonaona “Eddie Boy” Liliko‘i was born September 11, 1950, in Honolulu to Edward Kawaipu‘ilani Liliko‘i and mother Violet Pahu Liliko‘i, and Eddie’s paternal grandparents, John Kumuikeole Lilikoʻi and Elizabeth Oliva Palau, and maternal grandparents Thomas Pahu and Alice Kaua; and
WHEREAS, Eddie was raised in Kapahulu with sisters Violet “JR” Ah Mow, Lenore Kaipo Harris, Pearl Leinani Gomez, Irma L. Pruitt, Elaine K. Kekahuna and Delfine “Ching Loo” Lilikoʻi (deceased); and
WHEREAS, Ke Akua, in His infinite wisdom called unto Himself Eddie Keonaona Liliko‘i on March 4, 2019, after a lengthy illness; and
WHEREAS, Eddie is survived by his wife Rawlene “Toddy” (Kaluanawa’a) Liliko‘i; daughters, Kuʻuipoikakeʻepueone “Honey-Girl” Lilikoʻi-Van Buren (Davaid), Kuuleiawapuhimelemele “Babe” Pescador, and Kahaiaopulaniʻikamoku “Tita” Lilikoʻi; 11 grandchildren, Christian, Christopher, Kylie, Kuʻuipo, Jordyn, Sophie, Chloe, Kawika, Jacob, Caleb and Kiaʻi; and
WHEREAS, raised in a multi-generational family of entertainers, “Eddie Boy“ continued his Hawaiian musical legacy at an early age with his parents and sisters, then formed his own group in high school called “The Zonks;” and
WHEREAS, he played guitar for the “Young Fascination” with his cousin Rodney Arias, Martin Pahinui, and Ben Mendez, Jr., at places like Elena’s in Nānākuli, Tiki Torch in Waikīkī, Honey’s Tavern in Kāne‘ohe, and Yoko’s in Kapahulu; and
WHEREAS, he graduated in 1969 from Kaimukī High School excelling in volleyball, swimming, and diving; and
WHEREAS, he was drafted in 1970 by the United States Army where he met his lifelong friend Chappy Hokoana from Hilo, and the men were stationed in Germany where Eddie continued to share his musical talents; and
WHEREAS, upon his return to Hawai‘i, he joined the New Paradise Serenaders, with Rodney Arias, Sam Ako, Geri Mokulehua and Alwyn Erub, managed by Billy Gonslaves and Lawaina Mokulehua, and the group traveled the islands working in various venues; and
WHEREAS, Eddie and Toddy were married in 1975 and started their family; and
WHEREAS, in 1980, the Sheraton Maui’s Discovery Room became the venue for the New Paradise Serenaders and Ka‘anapali became home to the Lilikoʻi’s; and
WHEREAS, Eddie became a DJ and production manager for KPOA Radio, a pioneer for Hawaiian music in Maui County, working out of the Wharf Cinema Center, then to 505 Front Street shops then to Kahului; and
WHEREAS, his musical talents included guitar, ‘ukulele and steel guitar, and he also sang and recorded with musicians throughout his career and entertained thousands of visitors and kama‘āina; and
WHEREAS, Eddie was a member in good standing of the Lahaina Hawaiian Civic Club; and
WHEREAS, On February 7, 2019, the original members of the New Paradise Serenaders where reunited for the first time in 30 years, and it was truly a memorable occasion; and
WHEREAS, Eddie’s ashes were scattered at Wahikuli Beach, Lahaina fronting their Leiali‘i home on April 13, 2019.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs at its 60th Annual Convention in Lahaina, Maui, in the malama of Welehu and the rising of Lāʻau Pau, this 16th day of November 2019, remembering beloved husband, father, grandfather, musician and community member Edward Keonaona “Eddie Boy” Liliko‘i of Lahaina, Maui; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a certified copy of this resolution be transmitted to Mrs. Toddy Liliko‘i, the Lahaina Historical Society, and the Lahaina Hawaiian Civic Club, as well as the Governor of the State of Hawai‘i, President of the State Senate, Speaker of the State House of Representatives, Chair of the State Senate subject matter committee on Hawaiian Affairs, Chair of the State House subject matter committee on Hawaiian Affairs, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and all County Mayors.
The undersigned hereby certifies that the foregoing Resolution was duly adopted in the malama of Welehu and the rising of Lāʻau Pau on the 16th day of November 2019, at the 60th Annual Convention of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs in Lahaina, Maui.
Hailama V. K. K. Farden, President
