Lani Kai

Lani Kai (born George Clarence Dennis James Von Ruckleman Woodd III; August 15, 1936 – August 29, 1999) was a Hawaiian singer and actor. He had a role in the Elvis Presley film Blue Hawaii and was a regular cast member of the television series Adventures in Paradise.

Background Kai was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. He was brother of Lee Woodd, and the half brother of Kalai Strode and Junelehua Robertson. His mother Lukia Luana, a Hawaiian princess, was married to actor Woody Strode. His brother Lee Woodd, who was also an actor, died on 19 September 2002.

Death He died on August 29, 1999, at a North Shore home of a friend, two weeks after his 63rd birthday.

Music career Kai got an early break on the Don Sherwood Show in San Francisco, California. In late 1959, his single "Now There Are None" / "Isle Of No Aloha" was released. In 1963, his album Island Love Songs was released. In November 1968, he was appearing live at the Hawaii-Five-O club with Al Lopaka and Nephi Hannemann.

In 1968, he had a single released on Don Ho's Hana Hou label.

In the late 1990s, he was working on an album with actor / singer Nephi Hannemann which was to be a follow-up to Hannemann's album The Polynesian Man but Kai died before it could come together.

Compositions His composition "Puka Shells" which was recorded by Rod Young made it to no 2 in the Hawaiian music charts in the mid-1970s. He also co-composed "The Poor People" with Cliff Muller. Another composition "Shells" was recorded by Keola Beamer and included on his album for George Winston's Dancing Cat Records, Wooden Boat album.

Lani Kai discography

+ Singles Title Label & cat Year Notes # "Beach Party" / "Little Brown Gal (Cha Cha Cha)" Keen 1–2023 1959 "I'm Gonna Leave My Heart At Home" / "Batik" Keen 82103 1959 "Isle Of No Aloha" / "Now There Are None" Keen 5–2023 1959 "Pretty Little Nisei Girl" / "Tamoure'" Chelan C-554 19?? Lani Kai & The Shells Malia" / "Flying Bird" Hana Ho 1024 1968

+ Albums Album title Label & cat Year Notes # Island Love Songs Decca DL 4334 1963 Hawaiian Magic (Featuring The Orchestra Of Lani Kai) Diplomat Records D-2326 1964

+ Various artists compilation albums Song title Album title Label & catalogue Year Format Notes "Mystic Moon" The International Vicious Society Vol. V University Of Vice Records UOVR006 2011 Vinyl LP "I'm Gonna Leave My Heart At Home" Cheesy Moments Chrome Dreams 2012 CD "I'm Gonna Leave My Heart At Home" Saints and Sinners Vol 716 Obscure Rockin' Shots from Occident that will cut your head off!!! Sheik LP-507 2012 Vinyl LP "I'm Gonna Leave My Heart At Home" Teen Rockin' Party Classics Records clcd 752 2014 CD "Beach Party" Rockwool Rocker & Ruller Derudaf 2 Rockwool A/S CD

+ Compositions Composition Appears on album / single release By artist Label & catalogue Year Format Notes "Young Land" Tiny Bubbles Don Ho Reprise RS 6232 1966 LP album "This Young Land" Don Ho And The Aliis Volume II Don Ho Reprise PRO 310 1967 LP album Credited co-writer Ralph Mathis "This Young Land" "Tu Tu Kane" "Tu Tu Kane" / "The Windward Side (Of The Island)" Don Ho Reprise 0643 1968 7" Single "Shells" Paddle, Two Paddle Pat And His Paddlers Kanaka KS-1001 1972 LP Album "Tu Tu kane" "Tu Tu Kane" / "Tutu Wahine" Nephi Hannemann El Leon Records ERS 45/103 7" single "Tutu Wahine" "Tu Tu Kane" / "Tutu Wahine" Nephi Hannemann El Leon Records ERS 45/103 7" single "Shells" Shells The Surfers Trim Records TLP-1979 1974 LP Album "Tūtūkane" Kū Ha‘aheo Kakou, E Nā Hawai‘i Mel Amina Hana Hou Records HHD 8819–4 1995 Cassette album

Film and television career When he was 24 years old, he was picked for the television series Adventures in Paradise. He ended up with a role as Kelly the series from 1960 to 1962. He had also played the part of Carl Tanami in the 1961 film Blue Hawaii. Between the late 60s and early 70s, he appeared in a few Hawaii Five-O episodes. In one the episode The Joker's Wild, Man, Wild!, he played the part of Billy Hona. It also starred Beverlee McKinsey.

Filmography Feature film Blue Hawaii (1961) - Carl Tanami The Late Liz (1971) - Manu (final film role)

Television Adventures in Paradise - Episode: The Forbidden Sea - Khobu - (1 episode) (1960) Adventures in Paradise - Episodes: Various - Kelly Katimakaka, Kelly Kelimanaha, Kelly (26 episodes) (1960–1962) Hawaiian Eye - Episode: Go for Baroque - Johnny (1 episode) (1963) Hawaii Five-O - Episode: Yesterday Died and Tomorrow Won't Be Born - M.K. (1968) Hawaii Five-O - Episode: The Joker's Wild, Man, Wild! - Billy (1969) Hawaii Five-O - Episode: Most Likely to Murder - Lonnie Kahekili (1970)