Hawaiian singer and actress. Born Leilani Hia'a Kalaeloa, Ma Ma Loa debuted in 1925, at a very young age, at the Halema'uma'u Crater in Hawai'i. She danced the hula at the opening of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel on 1 February 1927. During World War II, she performed across the United States, entertaining at various military bases with Bing Crosby. Ma Ma Loa and her sister modeled for John Kelley, including his nude painting "Leilani on the Beach." In the early 1950s, she recorded the first Lord's Prayer in the Hawai'ian language. In the late 1970s, she was active in campaigns to save the Royal Hawaiian Hotel from demolition and to preserve the Waikiki Natatorium, a World War I memorial. As late as 3 May 1998, Ma Ma Loa performed the hula alongside the Royal Hawaiian Band at a concert in Kapiolani Park, dancing to the entire medley of songs from Paul Abraham's "Die Blume von Hawai'i" (The Flower of Hawai'i). She died a Hawaiian icon in 2009.
Hawaiian singer and actress. Born Leilani Hia'a Kalaeloa, Ma Ma Loa debuted in 1925, at a very young age, at the Halema'uma'u Crater in Hawai'i. She danced the hula at the opening of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel on 1 February 1927. During World War II, she performed across the United States, entertaining at various military bases with Bing Crosby. Ma Ma Loa and her sister modeled for John Kelley, including his nude painting "Leilani on the Beach." In the early 1950s, she recorded the first Lord's Prayer in the Hawai'ian language. In the late 1970s, she was active in campaigns to save the Royal Hawaiian Hotel from demolition and to preserve the Waikiki Natatorium, a World War I memorial. As late as 3 May 1998, Ma Ma Loa performed the hula alongside the Royal Hawaiian Band at a concert in Kapiolani Park, dancing to the entire medley of songs from Paul Abraham's "Die Blume von Hawai'i" (The Flower of Hawai'i). She died a Hawaiian icon in 2009.
Bio by: Rudi Polt
Gravesite Details
Cemetery has no record
Family Members
Advertisement
See more Loa memorials in:
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
