The Music of George Helm - A True Hawaiian

I followed George at St. Louis High School by one year. He was a very nice guy... always nice to me. He always came across (to me anyway) as a very quiet, yet driven kind of person. When you listen to his music you hear something that you might have heard if you were sitting and listening to Hawaiian music in the 1940s or 1950s. It is historic in many ways... very traditional. But that is no surprise knowing the road his Hawaiian rights activism took him. George was a wonderful talent and a very kind person. I will always remember seeing him (the last time I ever saw him) in a restaurant in Hawaii Kai in 1972,,, he remembered me from St. Louis and said "hello" and gave a very friendly nod of his head and wave of his hand. Enjoy his music and enjoy a part of Hawaii's past that will not be seen or heard again. This is what Hawaiian music is really all about. Sadly George died in a very tragic accident out at sea. He will always be missed by those who knew him (even for a little while during High School) and those who loved his music.

What a terrific Hawaiian. Singing in the true style of the Kanaka. All the reggae bands out there who promote this man need to remember what kind of music he sang. Hawaiian, not reggae. Hawaiian music is our real roots. If you raise up his flag, raise up Hawaiian music.