Larry Rivera is a prolific songwriter, storyteller and recording artist and has been one of Kaua‘i’s premier entertainers for decades. The 80-year-old has more than 50 songs recorded throughout the world and is the proud recipient of the coveted Hawai‘i
Larry Rivera is a prolific songwriter, storyteller and recording artist and has been one of Kaua‘i’s premier entertainers for decades. The 80-year-old has more than 50 songs recorded throughout the world and is the proud recipient of the coveted Hawai‘i Music Awards Lifetime Achievement Award.
Rivera is also known as a Living Treasure of Kaua‘i. He was born on the Westside of the island in Kekaha and now lives in Wailua.
His family stretches back six generations in Hawai‘i.
His family also stretches forward with six children, 17 grandchildren and many, many great-grandchildren.
Rivera, a Korean War veteran, has been married for 57 years has much to be proud and thankful for, and you can hear it in his voice and see it in his face.
Three of his daughters also are recording artists and often accompany their father on stage for his still frequent shows.
Rivera — as with many local musicians — learned to play the guitar and ‘ukulele by watching and listening to his elders.
He began working at the famous Coco Palms Hotel in 1951.
He played there with such luminaries as Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and Patti Page.
Coco Palms closed when destroyed by Hurricane ‘Iniki in 1992, but Rivera, aka Mr. Coco Palms, keeps the history alive through his stories and his music.
He also coordinates wedding ceremonies at the Coco Palms lagoon recreating the famous wedding scene filmed there in Elvis Presley’s movie Blue Hawai‘i.
His shows are always fun and invite audience participation. You can hear Rivera sing and play his famous songs such as “Wai‘ale‘ale,” “Kamalani,” “Charlie’s Song,” “Aloha Begins with Me” and many others. You can catch one of Larry’s shows at Cafe Portofino on Wednesday night from 7 until 9 p.m., Coconut MarketPlace on Fridays at 5 p.m., Kukui Grove Center every first Friday of the month at 7 p.m. or at the Kaua‘i Museum from 1 until 2 p.m. every Saturday afternoon.
His new CD, titled “Full Moon Over Kaua‘i,” will soon be released in collaboration with Ken Kriner of Newark, Calif.
You can reach Rivera to entertain for private functions or to schedule a ‘Blue Hawai‘i’ Wedding at 822-3868 or larryrivera@hawaiilink.net.
