WEBLEY EDWARDS

Best known as the genial host of the long-running radio and TV show, Hawaii Calls, Edwards was born in Corvallis, Oregon in 1902 and graduated from Oregon State University in 1928. He began his broadcasting career at a college radio station, then after being injured playing pro football in Honolulu, went to work for radio stations KGU and KGMB. On December 7, 1941, he is credited with keeping the population of Oahu calm as he remained on the radio during the attack and its aftermath. During the war, he was a correspondent for CBS radio and Admiral Nimitz selected Edwards to broadcast the surrender ceremonies on the deck of the USS Missouri on September 2, 1945.

In 1935, Web organized an all-star group of Hawaiian musicians and singers and they went on the radio all over the mainland as Hawaii Calls. He featured authentic Hawaiian music sung and played (and danced) by real Hawaiians. His musical leader was Al Kealoha Perry, who wrote many of the songs performed on the show, and virtually every Hawaiian entertainer of note appeared on the show including Alfred Apaka, Haunani, Hilo Hattie and Nina Keali'iwahamana. The legendary show always began with the sound of the surf breaking on the sand in front of the Moana Hotel, and tourists could go to the live broadcasts in the Banyan Court, then listen in the next week when they were back home. As many as 600 radio stations carried the program at the height of its popularity, and the show made over 1,900 broadcasts. Hawaii Calls tried a television version in the early 1970s but it did not take.

Edwards collaborated on many songs, but his most famous by far is "Pearly Shells."


Biographical material from Tony Todaro, The Golden Years of Hawaiian Entertainment (Tony Todaro Pub., 1974).