Audy Kimura is bidding aloha to his successful career as singer, guitarist, performer and recording personality.
After entertaining for nearly 33 years at Hy’s Steak House in Waikiki, Kimura has submitted his retirement notice to the restaurant, calling it quits and closing this chapter of his career, effective immediiately.
Simply, he’s retiring to focus on pet projects close to his heart.
Kimura opened at Hy’s on June 23, 1987, perched in the bar area of the popular steakhouse on Kuhio Avenue in Waikiki. But because of the pandemic that plagued the world, including Hawaii, Kimura hasn’t been in the Hy’s spotlight throughout the shutdown, even since the reopening of the restaurant.
“I am grateful beyond words,” said Kimura in a statement. “The friendships and memories are priceless.
Not surprisingly, he credits the support of his family, friends, co-workers and customers who became part of his extended circle of friends, for supporting him over the years.
“This is the end of an era at Hy’s.” says Marc Nezu, general manager of Hy’s. “Audy will be missed by all of us – our guests and our staff.”
Too bad that his decision to exit the limelight doesn’t include an opportunity for his fans and followers to say aloha.
Kimura has been an icon at Hy’s, serenading diners and bar patrons and occasional chats. His style always has been gentlemanly and romantic; his repertoire reflecting his savvy in programming, tapping his own compositions and iconic ballads by the Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, and James Taylor.
Through his business acumen, Kimura has put his imprint on the Hawaii recording community over the decades; as a budding studio engineer at Sounds of Hawaii, one of his early clients was Don Ho. In the realm of marketing, that appealing “One of the Good Things About Hawaii” signature for Hawaii News Now, is among his creations, as are the videos and commercials for Charley’s Taxi and Battery Bill, and the theme song for OC16’s “Hawaii Goes Fishing.”
He is one of the elite Hawaii artists to secure a major international recording contract (Universal Music and Epic/Sony).
Musically, he is best known for his No. 1 hit, “Lovers & Friends,” the trademark hit that put him on the map. His album titles reflect his outlook and mirror his inspirational thrust: “Looking for the Good Life” and “A Gift of Song.” These endeavors have earned him eight Na Hoku Hanohano Awards over the years.
A graduate of the University of Hawaii-Manoa’s College of Business Administration, Kimura earned the highest academic award, The Outstanding Senior in the College of Business Administration.
His interests have been wide and varied, including running in marathons, swimming feats, bicycling, skeet shooting and rifle competitions
Kimura plans to spend more time with family and begin to focus on select projects within his radar, embracing music, video, and composition.
He’s also been a longtime and vital ambassador to the animal population and intends to continue to work on charitable causes to support and benefit animals. …
And that’s Show Biz. …
Audy’s a great talent and will be missed most certainly. I had the pleasure of riflery shooting in high school under him as he was our captain. We look forward to hear about his future projects!
Loved Carole Kings “Beautiful”; revived me pulling out some of her songbooks and playing them on the piano.