Remembering the Kilima Hawaiians ...

In the 1930s hawaii music became popular in Holland. The Kilima Trio, founded in 1934 by guitarist Bill Buijsman (1907-1991), later renamed "Kilima Hawaiians", became well known. Armed with Hawaiian guitar and dressed in tropical outfits, The Kilima Hawaiians performed a Dutch version of the music of Hawaii, and traditional songs of the Dutch East Indies.When jazz and the English language were banned by the Germans at the beginning of World War II, the popularity of Hawaii music soared, and they had to make Dutch translations of their songs. The Kilima Hawaiians released their first 78rpm recordings featering Bill's wife Mary Buijsman (1907-2002) with vocals and ukulele in 1941. After WW2 and during the struggle for independence in the Dutch East Indies, their fame kept internationally growing especially in Germany as can be seen from the images shown in this video.

Ola-bapa-Dja - Ola's father Dja.
(Ambonese marching song).
Lyrics and music traditional (arr. Wim van Herpen).
The KilIma Hawaiians
Decca M 32372 mx. AM 1450 A.
Hof van Holland, Hilversum, June 1948.
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Sarina, een kind uit de dessa - Sarina, a child from the dessa.
Lyrics and music traditional (arr. The Kilima Hawaiians)
The Kilima Hawaiians.
Imperial 35002 - mx K-Ho 28541.
Ons Gebouw, Hilversum, Holland, January 1941.
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Toean Dan Njonja - Toean and Njonja.
Old Indonesian Song.
Lyrics and music traditional (arr. The Kilima Hawaiians)
The Kilima Hawaiians.
Imperial H 35025 - mx K-Ho 29808
Ons Gebouw, Hilversum, Holland, September 1941.

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