NAWILIWILI — Like the moon fighting to pierce the heavy clouds, Larry Rivera blew into the conch shell in an effort to sound the shell. Notes sputtered from the shell as the entertainer’s cheeks puffed and puffed Wednesday at the
NAWILIWILI — Like the moon fighting to pierce the heavy clouds, Larry Rivera blew into the conch shell in an effort to sound the shell.
Notes sputtered from the shell as the entertainer’s cheeks puffed and puffed Wednesday at the Cafe Portofino.
From out of the corner of the room, the sound of the conch pierced the night air and sustained itself throughout the Italian restaurant as Giuseppe Avocadi appeared in the doorway, the conch shell glued to his lips.
For Rivera, celebrating his 83rd birthday, his efforts at trying to sound the conch shell was overshadowed by his recent achievement — being named for a lifetime achievement award by the Hawai‘i Academy of Recording Arts, 36th annual Na Hoku Hanohano Awards.
The longtime entertainer at the Coco Palms resort and composer of more than a hundred songs was thrilled to receive the honor.
“I don’t really know,” Rivera said. “But they want me to sing when they call me up to receive my award.”
Among the many tunes he has composed, Rivera said his two favorites include “Kamalani,” a tune inspired by his time at the Coco Palms resort, and the arrival of his granddaughter, Kamalani, who works with Rivera’s daughter, Leilani Low at the halau hale in the Coconut MarketPlace as a hula instructor.
The tune remained relatively obscure for several years until Israel Kamakawiwaole and the Makaha Sons of Ni‘ihau thrust it into the spotlight.
“I still get royalty checks for the song every month,” Rivera said. “It keeps growing in popularity.”
His other favorite tune, “Full Moon Over Kaua‘i,” is on his current CD release.
Rivera will receive his award Saturday during a luncheon at the Ala Moana Hotel on O‘ahu. His daughter, Lurline Fernandez, will accompany him on the keyboard when he performs his songs for the guests of the HARA Board of Governors.
Fernandez joins her dad each Wednesday when they perform at the Cafe Portofino from 7 to 9 p.m.
Rivera joins his other daughter, Leilani Low, on Fridays from 5 p.m. when they take the stage at the Coconut MarketPlace.
He also performs at the Kukui Grove Center during the mall’s First Friday events, Jonel Kaohelauli‘i, the Kukui Grove marketing director noting how well he works with all of the guests who turn out for his shows.
He also appears on Saturdays with his longtime friend Charlie Perreira, a net weaver, at the Kaua‘i Museum.
Rivera’s honor at the Lifetime Achievement Awards is part of a month-long celebration of Hawai‘i music, culminating with the 2013 Na Hoku Hanohano Music Festival on May 24 and 25 at the Hawai‘i Convention Center on O‘ahu.
“This year, the Hawai‘i Academy of Recording Artists is pleased to shine a spotlight on the lifetime achievements of Kaua‘i’s musical ambassador Larry Rivera,” according to a letter from the Board of Governors of the HARA.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
