On beaches across Sydney during the 1930s, literally hundreds of guitar and ukulele players gathered to learn and practise the latest craze.

Hawaiian music arrived in Australia in the 1910s and its popularity grew over the next two decades following the success of touring shows like "A Night in Honolulu" and "Bird of Paradise", which featured both Hawaiian music and Hawaiian players.

Cruise ships that began stopping in Honolulu while en route between Sydney and San Francisco at this time also gave many a dose of music and culture they could not easily forget.

The influence of this period on music in Australia has been largely forgotten though its legacy informed aspects of the jazz and country music scenes that evolved in the '40s and '50s.

In this episode of RareCollections David Kilby and Jordie Kilby speak to Rebecca Coyle, who is Associate Professor in the School of Arts and Social Sciences at Southern Cross University, and her sister Jackey Coyle, owner of Wordy-Gurdy Publishing.

Both have long been interested in Hawaiian music and the part it has played in Australia's musical history.

David and Queenie Kaili - Shoo the Hoodoo Away - Parlophone - 1930s

David and Queenie were a couple who played an important part in establishing a Hawaiian scene in Australia.

They toured several times and not only performed but also taught many players while they were here.

David played steel guitar while Queenie danced and played ukulele.

They also recorded some 20 sides while they were here. Thanks to the Australian National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA) for their help in tracking this tune down for this program.

Jim Jensen's Hawaiians - Hano Hano Hanolei - W&G - 1965

Melbourne also enjoyed an enthusiastic scene during the '30s and '40s with names like Bruce Clarke and Jim Jensen at the fore in the '40s.

Bruce Clarke joined the Hawaiian Club in Melbourne when he was 16 and stayed with it before hearing a Charlie Christian record in the mid-'40s and switching to jazz.

Jim Jensen began playing in the '40s and stayed with it all his life. He also dedicated a lot of time to schooling younger players.

Hawaiian Club Quartet of Sydney - Aloha Oe - Regal Zonophone - 1939

Known as the Bing Crosby of Australia, Johnny Wade was one of the most popular performers to emerge from the local scene.

He was one of the musicians schooled by David and Queenie Kaili during their time in Sydney.

He also hosted popular radio programs for the ABC that featured Hawaiian music and recorded prolifically throughout his career as both a bandleader and member.

This track also features Club members Neville Khan (steel guitar), Norm Scott (ukulele) and Ernie Khan (bass). Thanks again to the NFSA for its help in locating this tune.

Les Adams and his Fabulous Hawaiians - On the Beach at Waikiki - Astor - 1960s

Les Adams was a keen surfer and heard someone playing some Hawaiian guitar one day in 1926 as he emerged from the surf.

He was so taken with it that he began to play it himself and started organising regular events on Sydney beaches and his early group was known as the Balmoral Beach Boys.

Influential Hawaiian Club member Buddy Waikara (Wikara) heard one event and was so impressed with his playing that he soon had him teaching Hawaiian guitar at his Manly studio.

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