Edward Keonaona “Eddie Boy” Lilikoi of Lahaina, Maui, born September 11, 1950 in Honolulu, went Home to our Lord on March 4, 2019. He was under Hospice care at his daughter’s home in Mililani, O’ahu. He is survived by his Wife, Rawlene “Toddy” (Nawa’a) Lilikoi; Daughters – Ku’uipoikahe’epueone “Honey Girl” Lilikoi-Van Buren (David), Ku’uleiawapuhimelemele “Babe” Pescador; Kahaiaopulani’ikamoku “Tita” Lilikoi; 11 Grandchildren – Christian, Christopher, Kylie, Ku’uipo, Jordyn, Sophie, Chloe, Kawika, Jacob, Caleb, Kia’i; Sisters – Violet “JR’ Ah Mow, Lenore Kaipo Harris, Pearl Leinani Gomez, Irma L. Pruitt, and Elaine K. Kekahuna.
Preceded in death by his father, Edward Kawaipuilani Lilikoi, mother Violet Pahu Lilikoi, and sister, Delfin “Ching Lu” Lilikoi. From a multi-generational family of entertainers, Eddie Boy continued their Hawaiian music legacy at an early age with his parents and sisters, then forming his own band, the Zonks, playing 60’s music at high school dances. He then played guitar for the Young Fascination with cousin Rodney Arias, Martin Pahinui and Ben Mendez Jr. at Elena’s Nanakuli, Tiki Torch Waikiki, Honey’s in Kaneohe, Yoko’s in Kapahulu.
Drafted in the Army from 1970-1972, stationed in Manheim, Germany. Upon returning home ‘drafted’ again by Billy Gonsalves and Lawaina Mokulehua who formed the New Paradise Serenaders with Rodney Arias, Sam Ako, Geri Mokulehua, Keoni Mokulehua and Alwyn Erub. The New Paradise Serenaders played the Waikiki scene starting at the Kuhio Hotel’s Maluna Lounge as a back-up band for Bill Kaiwa, Hilton Hawaiian Village Luau with Al Harrington, for many years the main feature at the Holiday Inn’s Catamaran Room, then the Hyatt Regency Hana Hou showroom before moving on to Hilo’s Naniloa Hotel Crown Room and finally settling into the Discovery Room at the Sheraton Maui.
In 1983 Eddie was part of the Hawaii entertainers at the opening of Tokyo Disneyland for six months and again in 1984. Returning to Maui, worked for Cha Thompson of Tihati for the Hyatt Regency Luau, 505 Front Street with Alan Pokipala, played at Ka’anapali Beach Hotel, the Sheraton Maui Luau managed by Sam and Sharon Ako, Royal Lahaina’s Royal Ocean Terrace with Eddee Sebala, then on to Old Lahaina Luau until his passing. Eddie played guitar, ukulele, and steel guitar with musicians and entertainers throughout his career, far too many to name, but so enjoyed working with all of them.
Eddie’s father played steel guitar for many Hawaiian music groups; mom was upright bass player and ‘sidekick’ to Genoa Keawe, toured with Clara Cummings (aka Hilo Hattie), performed with aunties Pauline Kekahuna and Leilani Sharpe Mendez at the Ilikai Hotel. One of the first DJ’s for KPOA Radio, a pioneer for Hawaiian music in Maui County, became their production manager. KPOA started in a small office space in Lahaina, to a studio at the Wharf Cinema Center across from the Banyan Tree Park, then to a larger space at 505 Front Street shops.
KPOA merged into Pacific Radio Group and moved to Kahului. Eddie preferred not to make that daily 25-mile trip for his 6 – 10 am spot, so back to the ocean for fishing and surfing. Alaka’i Paleka remembers him as knowing a lot about the stories behind the music and musicians, and how fortunate for them that he would share that knowledge with his listeners.
Eddie loved the ocean and to surf. He belonged to the Waikiki Surf Club in his youth, later helped organize S-Turns Surf Club in Kahana, Maui sponsoring youth surf competitions. Maui and its people have been very good to Eddie, Toddy and their growing family since moving there in 1980, as they made Lahaina their permanent home.
Services with viewing will be at Kawaiaha’o Church, Honolulu, on Friday, April 5, 2019, 4:30 – 8:30 pm. Ashes will be scattered at Wahikuli Beach fronting his Leiali’i home, 10 am on Saturday, April 13, 2019 with a Celebration of Life at the Lilikoi hale. To send flowers to the family of Edward “Eddie Boy” Keonaona Lilikoi please visit our Sympathy Store.
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