David Kaili

Pioneering Hawaiian musician (guitar) (born April 27, 1895 in Hawaii)

Recorded with Pale K. Lua in U.S. & U.K. 1915-1918. Toured with Irene West Royal Hawaiians. Later with Kaa's Hawaiians and first visited Australia with that group in Feb., 1925. Decided to stay in Australia and with his wife Queenie appeared on the Fullers circuit 1927-1928. Toured Australasia with own group (billed as "Queenie & David" Kaili") 1928-1933 and also made radio broadcasts during this period. During the 1930s formed The Royal Hawaiians and toured extensively in Asia including the Dutch East Indies, Singapore, Malaya, Philippines, India, etc. Was in the Philippines when the Japanese invaded in 1942 and died of injuries sustained as a result of torture by the Kempeitai.