New Leader of Band Has Written Songs of Hawaii

Peter Kalani, recently appointed leader of the Hawaiian Band to succeed Capt. Henri Berger, has been interested in music since a small boy. Mr. Kalani was born in Honolulu 38 years ago, and as soon as he became strong enough began twanging the strings of the ukulele and the taro-patch.

He played during his boyhood with various orchestras about the city, being musical instructor of the Ellis Brothers Glee Club and later of Kaai’s Glee Club, and in 1895 joined the Hawaiian band. With the change of government in 1898, Mr. Kalani left the local organization, and under the leadership of Professor Libornio went, together with several of the other band boys, on a tour of the United States. In the course of the tour more than 300 cities were visited.

After two years Mr. Kalani again returned to Hawaii and joined the band under Captain Berger in the year 1900. Since that time, save for brief vacations and engagements with local orchestras, he has been with the band continually.

He has made a careful study of harmony and counterpoint and is the composer of several Hawaiian songs, three of which have been published and have become well known. These are “Uina Loko,” “Sweet Sweeting,” and “Maid of Honolulu.”  He is also the composer of a great many pieces for band and orchestra, among them being “Hula Hula Girl,” “Hapa Haole,” “Mayor Lane March,” and “1915 Congressional Party March.” A great many old Hawaiian songs have been arranged and set in medleys by him.

Kalani deeply appreciates the honor of his new position. He has many kind words for Capt. Berger, under whom he served for so many years and whose place he has just taken.

“All the boys,” says the new leader, “hate to see Capt. Berger go, but they realize that the work was becoming too hard for one of his years, and they rejoice with him in his well earned rest.”

(Star-Bulletin, 7/10/1915, p. 3)