John “Jackie” Gilbert Farias, husband of entertainer Karen Keawehawaii, died April 5 at Queen’s Medical Center. He was 75, born Oct. 31, 1946.
The couple met when he was a bartender at the Kahala Hilton, where she was singing with the Laughing Kahunas group.
“Jackie was always content to be in the shadows,” said Keawehawaii. “When we met, I was performing; when we married, he encouraged me to continue; he even managed my career.
“When our family grew, he stayed home with the babies as I went out to perform. He was the wind beneath my wings,” she said.
Farias had multiple health issues and was in and out of the hospital a few times, before his passing, said Keawehawaii.
As a steadfast supporter of her entertainment career, he often oversaw light and sound support as her gigs flourished in her heyday as a showroom lark.
Farias was a career bartender, spending much of his tenure at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki, where he tended bar for 35 years, retiring in March 2009.
Over the decades, he also was known as the assembler of the Farias’ family’s Christmas inflatables in the front yard of their Wilhelmina Rise home. He erected then disassembled the decorations annually, appealing to drive-by holiday spectators.
Farias also was a stellar baker, preparing and baking holiday gift cakes for a long list of recipients.
Besides Keawehawaii, he is survived by four daughters, Tracie K. (Keawe) Lopes, Stacie K. Farias, Winona K. Farias and Melody K. (Francis) Wheeler.
Mo‘opuna include Pi‘ikea Lopes, Ka‘onohi Lopes, Haweo Lopes, Acacia K. Wheeler, Kenshin John Wheeler and Henna K. Wheeler.
He was the youngest of several siblings, who preceded him in death.
A celebration of life will be held May 22 at Hawaiian Memorial Park in Kaneohe, with visitation from 1 p.m. followed by services at 2:30 p.m. …
Come what May (Day)
May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii, and May 1 will offer options this year.
Hawaiian Airlines is the title sponsor of this year’s Hawaiian celebration, at 7 p.m. May 1 at the Bishop Museum.
Keauhou and Robert Cazimero will headline this one, with Cazimero’s Halau Na Kamalei O Likolehua participating, along with Kainani Kahaunaele, Mamalei Kawaa and several hula halau.
Kahuli Leo L‘a, a non-profit led by Keauhou’s Zachary Lum, is assembling a number of halau performances of island mele, hula and mo‘olelo, “to advance our philosophy of ‘aina to our visitors,” he said. “We must not forget to maintain aloha ‘aina within our communities.”
Billy V will emcee …
Kalani Pe‘a, fresh from his recent Grammy victory, will headline a Lei Day concert at 2 p.m. May 1 at the Hawaii Theatre. His cast will include Ho‘okena, Keilana, Hoku Zuttermeister and Hula Halau O Kamuela. Mele Apana will host. ..
The beat goes on
Henry Kapono will perform at the 19th Annual Pure Aloha Festival and Concert, at 7:30 p.m. April 23 at Craig Ranch Regional Park, in North Las Vegas, Nev.
Closer to home, he stages another pair of Artist 2 Artist shows at Blue Note Hawaii, at the Outrigger Waikiki Hotel. The earlier announced gig with the Makaha Sons will be staged April 29 and another with Ledward Kaapana has been announced for May 22.
Meantime, his star-studded summer “Home in the Islands” postponed concert has been rescheduled for 6 to 10 p.m. June 18 at the Tom Moffatt Waikiki Shell, and the early announced roster of island participants will also include Kimie Miner, Ana Vee, Tavana, Kala ‘e Parish, and Rredbeatt. …
And that’s Show Biz. …
Condolences and hugs to the ‘Ohana! RIP!