Vickie Iʻi Rodrigues
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Victoria Keali‘ika‘apunihonua I‘i Rodrigues (November 14, 1912 – July 22, 1987) was a Hawaiian musician and entertainer. Born into a Native Hawaiian family with strong musical roots, Rodrigues preserved and shared traditional Hawaiian songs that might otherwise have been lost, including "Hawai‘i Aloha," "Kaulana Nā Pua," and "Paoakalani". She was honored by multiple organizations for her contributions to Hawaiian culture, including being inducted into the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame in 1995.
Early life and education
Victoria Keali‘ika‘apunihonua I‘i was born in Honolulu on November 14, 1912.[1][2] Her parents were James Keaoulilani Ii and Agnes Luika Sylvester; she was a hānai child raised by her paternal grandparents, James Kaihiihikapuokalani and Katherine Lahilahi Stevens Ii.[2] Her family was full of musicians and storytellers dedicated to preserving and sharing Native Hawaiian culture.[1] Vickie began singing at age 3, learning classic Hawaiian mele (songs and chants).[1] She first performed at the Bijou Theatre in Honolulu at age five.[2]
She attended Sacred Hearts Convent and Washington Intermediate School in Honolulu.[1] The sisters at Sacred Hearts Convent would ask her to perform and provided piano and vocal lessons.[2] While attending McKinley High School, Vickie was the assistant producer for the school's Hawaiian pageants, gaining experience in producing, directing, and choreographing.[2]
In 1931 she married Clarence L. Rodrigues; their five children all became entertainers: Lorraine Keaoululani "Lani" Custino, Rachel Kaneikolia "Mackie" Rodrigues, Lawrence Kaihiihikapuokalani "Boyce" Rodrigues, Katherine "Nina" Keali‘iwahamana Rapozo, and John James Ioane Rodrigues.[1]
Career as an entertainer
Rodrigues was a part of the popular radio show Hawaii Calls from its first show in 1935 until 1951, when her daughter Lani replaced her.[3]
She was a member of multiple choirs and glee clubs, including the Honolulu Girls Glee Club and the Royal Hawaiian Girls Glee Club.[1] She performed at many locations around Oahu, including with groups such as Al Kealoha Perry and his Singing Surfriders, the Honolulu Girls, the Lei Lehua Trio, and Pauline Kekahuna's Hauoli Troupe.[2] Rodrigues produced many shows, including working closely with the Aloha Week committee on many of their early pageants.[1] She was also a hula practitioner and kumu (teacher).[1]
In 1951, Rodrigues wrote down the music and words of songs she had learned from her family, preserving songs that may otherwise have been lost.[1] Some of the songs that she reintroduced included "Hawai‘i Aloha", "Kanai‘aupuni", "Kaulana Nā Pua" and "Paoakalani".[4] She was also highly sought after for her translation skills, from Hawaiian to English and from English to Hawaiian, translating everything from Christmas carols to the popular songs of the day.[4]
She recorded two albums singing with her children, published through Hula Records: Na Mele Ohana in 1962 and Na Mele Punahele in 1968.[5][6] The latter album used her honorific form of name on its cover: "Auntie Vickie Sings".
Death and honors
Rodrigues died in her home on July 22, 1987.[2]
The Honolulu chapter of the National Society of Arts and Letters honored her contributions to Hawaiian culture in 1979.[2] A 1980 Hawaii House of Representatives resolution honored Rodrigues.[2] In 1986 she was awarded the Sidney Grayson Hoku Award, a lifetime achievement honor provided by the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards.[7] Rodrigues was an honoree of the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame in 1995 as part of its inaugural group of inductions.[4]
The 99th annual Kamehameha Schools Song Contest, held in 2019, was given the theme "Nā Mele ‘Ohana: The Musical Legacy of Vickie Ii Rodrigues," celebrating the stories, songs, and dances shared by Vickie and the Rodrigues family.[8]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Nā Mele 'Ohana: The Musical Legacy of Vickie Ii Rodrigues" (PDF). Kamehameha Schools. 2019. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "'Aunty Vickie' Rodrigues is dead at 74". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. July 23, 1987. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ^ Wynne, Bill (December 2, 2014). "Hawaii Calls – Boyce Rodrigues in the 70s". Ho`olohe Hou. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ^ a b c "Victoria K. I'i Rodrigues". Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on January 14, 2006. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ^ "Na Mele Ohana". Hula Records. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ^ "Auntie Vickie Sings". Territorial Airwaves. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ^ "Sidney Grayson Hoku Awards". Hawaiian Music History. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ^ Ancheta, Dillon (March 14, 2019). "Kamehameha students eager and excited on the eve of 99th annual Song Contest". Hawaii News Now. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- v
- t
- e
- Kalākaua
- Leleiohoku II
- Likelike
- Liliʻuokalani
- Albert "Sonny" Cunha
- Sol Hoʻopiʻi
- Alvin Kaleolani Isaacs
- Haunani Kahalewai
- Mekia Kealakaʻi
- John Kameaaloha Almeida
- Irmgard Farden Aluli
- Robert Alexander Anderson
- Bina Mossman
- David Nape
- Songs honored: Hawaii Aloha, Ua Like No A Like, Kaulana Na Pua, Makalapua and Na Ali`i
- Maddy Lam
- Hawaiian Chanters: Keaulumoku, Ka`opulupulu, Kapoukahi, Kapihe and Hewahewa
- Songs honored: Alika, Kalama'ula, Wehiwehi 'Oe
- Kahauanu Lake
- Kawaiahaʻo Church
- Alfred Alohikea
- Kahauanu Lake Trio
- Bill Ali'iloa Lincoln
- Henry W. Waia`u
- Mahi Beamer
- The Brothers Cazimero
- Charles K.L. Davis
- Linda Dela Cruz
- Nina Keali`iwahamana
- Emma Veary
- Bill Ka'iwa
- Jesse Kalima
- Eddie Kamae
- Donald McDiarmid Sr.
- Peter Moon
- Marlene Sai
- John Pi'ilani Watkins
- Joseph Ae'a
- Elizabeth "Lizzie" Kahau Kauanui Alohikea
- Anuhea Audrey Brown
- Thomas Kihei Desha Brown
- Alice Angeline Johnson
- John Keola Lake
- Albert Po'ai Nahale-a Sr.
- Leo Nahenahe Singers
- Palani Vaughan
- James Kaʻupena Wong
- Hui Ohana
- Thomas Sylvester Kalama
- Dennis Kamakahi
- Ma'iki Aiu Lake
- Kui Lee
- Pat Namaka Bacon
- Andy Cummings
- Ernest Kaʻai
- Richard Kauhi Quartet
- Keali'i Reichel
- Joseph Ilalaole
- Benny Kalama
- Sam Li'a Kalainaina
- Akoni Mika
- Alice Namakelua
- Olomana
- James Pihanui Kuluwaimaka Palea
- Ka Leo Hawai‘i
- George Kainapau
- Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau
- George Na'ope
- Harry Owens
- Song honored: Hawaii Ponoi
- Kamaka Hawaii, Inc. (ukulele maker)
- Matthew H. Kane
- Iolani Luahine
- Napua Stevens
- Don Ho
- Lokalia Montgomery
- Lei Collins
- Halekulani Girls (Alice Fredlund, Sybil Bright Andrews, Linda Dela Cruz)
- Jerry Byrd
- Darrell Lupenui
- Thaddius Wilson
- O'Brian Eselu
- Johnny Noble
- Jean “Kini” Sullivan
- John Kaimikaua
- Mamo Howell
- Danny Kaleikini
- Richard “Babe” Bell
- The Isaacs ‘Ohana
- The Kanaka’ole ‘Ohana
- Krash Kealoha
- Jacqueline "Skylark" Rossetti
- Kimo Kahoano
- Karen Keawehawai’i
- Melveen Leed
- Israel Kamakawiwoʻole
- Beamer ‘Ohana (Nona, Keola, Kapono)
- Bray ‘Ohana (Daddy and Lydia Bray)
- Ho‘opi‘i Brothers (Richard and Solomon)
- Kahananui ‘Ohana (Dorothy Kahananui and Dorothy Gillett)
- Saichi Kawahara
- Literary award: He Mele Aloha: A Hawaiian Songbook (Vicky Hollinger, Kimo Hussey, Puakea Nogelmeier, Carol Wilcox), The Queen’s Songbook (Dorothy Kahananui Gillett, Barbara Smith and Hui Hanai)
- Pua Haʻaheo
- Marta Hohu
- Leila Hohu Kiaha
- David “Feet” Rogers
- Harry B. Soria Jr.
- Kauʻi Zuttermeister
- Hawaiian Room musicians from the Lexington Hotel, NYC
- Paused due to the global pandemic
- Jules Ah See
- Kihei de Silva
- Mapuana de Silva
- Kawaikapuokalani Hewitt
- David Kalama
- Makua Laiana
- Lorenzo Lyons
- Mary P. Robins