Victoria K. I`i Rodrigues

(1912-1987)

From the time she was born, Victoria Keali`ika`apunihonua I'i was surrounded by singers and composers including her father and paternal grandparents and her maternal grandfather, Sylvester Kalama, who was known as a Hawaiian vaudeville entertainer and composer of great renown here in the Islands.

Family gatherings and entertainment consisted of meles(songs) of old Hawai`i. Lessons were by memory only ... nothing written. A mele, (as well as the background for each song taught) was sung by Vickie's grandfather three times. The fourth time Vickie would have to sing it with her grandfather; the fifth time, alone. In 1951, Vickie committed these meles to written form, and was responsible for re-introducing many of them -- "Hawai`i Aloha", "Kanai`aupuni", "Kaulana Na Pua" and "Paoakalani" to mention a few.

During her school years, Vickie received further voice and instrumental training, and in high school she assisted in producing, directing and choreographing Hawaiian pageants. All of this was invaluable to her future career as a composer, musician, singer/recording artist and both choreographer and teacher of hula. Vickie's long professional career included sixteen years with the radio show "Hawai`i Calls" under the directorships of both Webley Edwards and Al Kealoha Perry.

Another of Vickie's contributions to Hawaiian music was as a translator of songs from Hawaiian to English and from English to Hawaiian. Her output included everything from Christmas carols to the popular songs of the day, and she was much in demand by other vocalists and entertainers for this service. She also won many awards for her outstanding service to the community.

All five of Vickie's children from her marriage to Clarence L. Rodrigues are entertainers: Lani Custino, Mackie Lahela Rodrigues, Boyce Rodrigues, Nina Keali`iwahamana Rapozo and John Ioane Rodrigues.