The 49th State Hawaii Record Company is a defunct Hawaiian record label specializing in traditional Hawaiian music. Established in 1948 by George K. Ching, the label was purchased by Cord International in the early 1990s.
History The 49th State Hawaii Record Company was founded in Honolulu, Hawaii by record store owner George K. Ching in 1948. The label was named in anticipation of Hawaii's eventual attainment of statehood, though Alaska gained statehood eight months before Hawaii, making Hawaii the 50th state. Ching founded the label to answer the growing demand for traditional Hawaiian music in his record store, with the first 49th State recordings released as 78 rpm records made using an acetate record cutting machine in a makeshift studio in Ching's own home. Later, production moved to initial recording on tape before later being pressed in vinyl. To guarantee authenticity in recorded performances, Ching collaborated with Hawaiian composer and musician Johnny Almeida, known as the "Dean of Hawaiian Music". Almeida served as the label's music director. 49th State served as a successor to Bell Records Honolulu, which released Hawaiian music between 1944 and 1950. By 1950, the headquarters for the label had moved from Ching's home to 1121 Bethel St, Honolulu. The company, which has been described as "the first, top, most significant, authentic label of Hawaii", was defunct by 1958.
Purchase by Cord International Cord International purchased the rights to The 49th State Hawaii record company and has restored and re-mastered many of the LPs released between 1948 and 1958. According to the May 18, 2015 obituary of Michael Cord: "In the 1980s, he noticed that many of the important old-time Hawaiian record labels had gone out of business and their releases were out of print. In 1991, [Cord] began leasing the rights to those old recordings and digitally restoring them for reissue. Among the Hawaii record labels Cord brought back to life were Bell, 49th State Hawaii, Mele, Trim, Tradewinds, and Gold Coin."
Another obituary for Michael Cord stated that the 49th State Hawaii Records label was among Cord's first acquisitions. The purchase was made in order to restore, remaster, and re-release the recordings, which by that point were out of print and in poor quality. Cord was quoted in the obituary, stating: "There was lots of noise-hisses and pops- and we wanted the listening experience to be just like it was when these recordings were brand new- only better."
Recordings
45 rpm Performer(s) Song title Series/matrix # Additional (conductor, composer, etc.) artist(s)49th State Hawaiians Aloha In Hawaii HRC-45-116-A Violet Lee Silva49th State Hawaiians Mi Nei - "How About Me?" HRC-45-116-B Chas. E. King49th State Hawaiians Hilo March HRC 45 339 B HCv Abraham Kalauli Konanui Hawaiian Melody 45-HRC-103-B Benjamin Rogers Steel Guitar "C" Jam Boogie HRC-45-275-B Benjamin Rogers at the Hawaiian Steel GuitarBenny (Benjamin) Rogers Moana Chimes Johnny NobleClara "Hilo Hattie" Inter Pidgin English Hula HRC-176-B Charles E. KingDanny Kalama and his Island Serenaders Pua Tubarose HRC-333-B C.E. KingDoddy & His Serenaders Kona Kai O Pua RR - J80 W - 1403 Vocal by Kelii Chun with Menehune MaidensDoug Alii with The Royal Samoans Tomi Tuli HRC-387-A MulitauaopeleEmma Kahelelani Bishop Kawika HRC-205B Emma Kahelelani Bishop with Julia Nui's Kamaainas Ka Momi O Hawaii Nei HRC-203B Emma Kahelelani BishopFarden Sisters Laupahoehoe HRC 337A Irmgard, Emma, Edna, Maude, Diane; Lyricist: Mary Puku'I, Irmgard Aluli, N. BaconFarden Sisters Leis 45-HRC-313-B Irmgard, Emma, Edna, Maude, Diane, Emma K. SharpeGenoa Keawe Aloha Oe (Farewell to Thee) HRC-354-B Music: John K. Almeida and His Hawaiians, Queen LilioukalaniGenoa Keawe My Sweet Gardenia lei 45-HRC-244-A Genoa Keawe's Hula Maids, Lena MachadoGenoa Keawe and her Hawaiians Hulu Manu 45-HRC-306-B Richard KamaiGenoa Keawe and her Hula Maids Sea Breeze - "Pua Mana" 45-HRC-306-A Re 1 Music by John K. Almeida's Hawaiians, Hoffman-Manning-AluliGenoa Keawe and her Hula Maids Ka Mano O Kalani Po HRC 336 A K. Zuttermeister, E. FurtadoGenoa Keawe and son Gary Ako Hawaiian Wedding Song (Ke Kali Nei Au) HRC-353-B Music by John K. Almeida and His Hawaiians, Chas. E. KingGenoa Keawe with her Hula Maids Magic Hands HRC-45-277-B Danny Stewart-Paul ChicareliGenoa Keawe with her Hula Maids Kila Kila O Haleakala HRC-45-277-A George Naʻope Ancient Chants 45-HRC 299B George Naʻope Ka' Uwila Make Nei HRC-354-A (RR H80W 1547) Music: Albert Ahuna and His Hawaiians George Naʻope with Genoa Keawe's Hula Maids It's Just An Old Hawaiian Custom 45-HRC-242-A Johnny NobleGeorge Naʻope with Her Hula Maids Not Pau 45-HRC-247-A Ray KinneyGeorge Naʻope with The Menehune Maidens Kahi Mea I Aloha Ia RRK80 W-1115, HRC-353-A Music by Tropical Serenaders, UlumahiehieGinny Kam Hula Hula Hoops Dee Doo 45-HRC-313-A John K. Almeida's Music, Ginny KamHarmony Isles Group Hawaiian Instrumental Medley 4 45-HRC-244-B Harmony Isles Group Tiari No Tahiti HRC-387-B Harmony Isles Group Hawaiian Instrumental Medley - 6: (1) My Yellow Ginger Lei, (2) Halona, (3) Kuu Ipo Pua Rose 45-HRC-247-B Henry Kaalekahi Hookipa Paka - Maunawili HRC-96-B Ivi Pele and The Royal Samoans Gogu A Togi HRC-383-A MulitauaopeleIvi Pele and The Royal Samoans Drums of Samoa HRC-383-B MulitauaopeleIvi Pele and The Royal Samoans Migoi Migoi HRC-384-A Kuka TuitamaIvi Pele and The Royal Samoans Fa'apei Ona Naunau HRC-384-B MulitauaopeleIvi Pele and The Royal Samoans Slap Dance - O le alofa I la'u manu HRC-386-A Ivi Pele and The Royal Samoans Apia Drums HRC-386-B MulitauaopeleIvi Pele and The Royal Samoans Tele I'A O Le Sami HRC-382-A TuiteleapagaIvi Pele and The Royal Samoans Pologa Ua Fai HRC-382-B-RE MulitauaopeleJoe Kahaulelio No Luna E Kahelekai HRC 336 B Joe Kahaulelio Chant: Ku I Molokai HRC 327 B Joe Kahaulelio and his Hawaiians Eleu Mikimiki HRC 335 A C.E. KingJoe Kahaulelio and his Hawaiians Ia Oe Eka La HRC 333 A Joe Keawe and his Harmony Hawaiians My Little Grass Shack HRC-96-A Cogswell-Harrison-NobleJoe Keawe and his Harmony Hawaiians Nani Molokai HRC 45 338 B HC Hanakahi-Ah YatJoe Keawe and his Harmony Hawaiians Hookipa Paka HRC 331 B Vocal: Joe Keawe and his Harmony Hawaiians, Alice JohnsonJoe Keawe with Julia Nui's Kamaainas Kaneohe HRC 335 B John K. Almeida with Genoa Keawe, Agnes Malabey and Wenonah Almeida Alekoki HRC-230-A Kalakaua-AlohikeaJohn K. Almeida with Genoa Keawe's Hula Maids Hukilau HRC-45-275-A Vocal by: John K. Almeida with Genoa Keawe's Hula Maids, Jack OwensJohn K. Almeida with Hawaiian dance band Ho'oluana Na Pua Like Ole HRC-344-B John K. Almeida with Hawaiian dance band Kuu Leilani HRC-343-B John K. AlmeidaJohn Piilani Watkins with Hana's Heavendly Hawaiians Waikaloa 45-HRC-517 John P. WatkinsJohn Piilani Watkins with Hana's Heavenly Hawaiians The Hana Ranch 45-HRC-518 Lyn StaufferJohnny Almeida Kuwili HRC-45-87-A-RE-1 Genoa Keawe's Hula MaidsJohnny Almeida and his Hawaiians Hula O Maki EP-29A Vocal, John Piilani Watkins with Genoa Keawe's Hula Maids, Jas. C. KaapuikiJohnny Almeida and his Hawaiians Across the Sea EP-29A Vocal by June Ululani Leite, E. Kaai-J. NobleJohnny Almeida and his Hawaiians Pagan Love Song EP-29B Brown-FreedJohnny Almeida and his Hawaiians King's Serenade EP-29B Benjamin Rogers at the Hawaiian Steel Guitar, C.E. KingJohnny Almeida and his Hawaiians Lovely Hula Hands EP-HRC-30-A R. Alex AndersonJohnny Almeida and his Hawaiians It's Just An Old Hawaiian Custom EP-HRC-30-A Benjamin Rogers at the Hawaiian Steel Guitar, Johnny NobleJohnny Almeida and his Hawaiians Beautiful Mahealani Moon HRC-EP-30-B John K. AlmeidaJohnny Almeida and his Hawaiians Anapau HRC-EP-30-B Benjamin Rogers at the Hawaiian Steel Guitar, Alvin KaleolaniJohnny Almeida and his Hawaiians Beyond the Reef EP-HRC-31-A Vocal by June Ululani Leite, Jack PitmanJohnny Almeida and his Hawaiians Hawaiian War Chant EP-HRC-31-A Vocal, Johnny Almeida and His Hawaiians, Freed-Noble-LeleiohakuJohnny Almeida and his Hawaiians On the beach at Waikiki EP-HRC-31-B Stover-KalimaJohnny Almeida and his Hawaiians Moana Chimes EP-HRC-31-B Benjamin Rogers at the Hawaiian Steel GuitarJohnny Almeida with the Lei Momi Sweethearts Kaulana Ke Kuahiwi O Haleakala - "To You, Oh, Mighty Haleakala" HRC-53A 103-A Alice JohnsonJohnny Piilani Watkins and his Paradise Serenaders E Nani E 45-HRC-309-B Gertrude KaanapuJohnny Watkins and his Paradise Serenaders Pua Carnation 45-HRC-309-A C.E. KingJoseph Solatoa Minoi Minoi E HRC-177-B Genoa Keawe's Polynesians June Ululani Leite Beyond the Reef HRC-203A Jack PitmanJune Ululani Leite with Joe Keawe's Harmony Hawaiians Hula Girl HRC-230-B Keawehawaii's Kealoha RR - H8OW - 1045 / HRC-343-A Vocal by Leilani Alama with Menehuna Maidens, Liko JohnstonKent BowmanLittle Lei Puahi (Little Red Riding Hood)HRC-45-251-AMrs. Anna Kahalelehua Hall Kawika HRC-92-B Nora Keahi Santos Show Me How They Do The Hula In Honolulu HRC-183-A Pele Pukui Nani Kilauea - "Beautiful Kilauea" HRC 45 339 A HC Kawena PukuiRainbow Serenaders Sweet Hawaiian Chimes HRC-183-B Tahiti Dances: To Drums Of Bora Bora And Papeete Atamu EP-39A Tahiti Dances: To Drums Of Bora Bora And Papeete I Vaho EP-39B Tahiti Dances: To Drums Of Bora Bora And Papeete Maruru A Vau EP-39A Tahiti Dances: To Drums Of Bora Bora And Papeete Aratai EP-39B Tahiti Dances: To Drums Of Bora Bora And Papeete Toto To E EP-39B Tahiti Dances: To Drums Of Bora Bora And Papeete Ake EP-40A Tahiti Dances: To Drums Of Bora Bora And Papeete Tiare No Tahiti EP-40A Tahiti Dances: To Drums Of Bora Bora And Papeete Tiare Taporo EP-40B Tahiti Dances: To Drums Of Bora Bora And Papeete Mou'a EP-40B Tanielu Hunkin and his Samoans Samoan Dance - Lapapa, Sa-Sa HRC 45 338 A HC Tanielu HunkinThe "K" Sisters He Mea Nui Kealoha - "Love Is The Main Thing" HRC 331 A M. Robins, J. NobleThe "K" Sisters Kuu Ipo Hua Pala HRC 327 A John K. Almeida
78 rpm