Art was stunned to hear last week that the older brother of one of his best childhood friends had passed away. Actually Poncie was much, much older than Art's friend, Del.
I remembered Ponciano "Poncie" Ponce from his 1959-1963 role as Kim, the cab driver on the long ago detective show, Hawaiian Eye. Granted I was a very little girl when the show was popular. OK, never mind. I wasn't that little. He acted with Connie Stevens and Robert Conrad. Do you remember them? I know you were little then too. Actually some of you weren't even born.
That show must have been the precursor to Hawaii 5-0 and Magnum P.I. I used to love watching it even though the sets seemed very fake and were filmed mostly in Hollywood. It was still fun to see a show that was supposed to be about Hawaii. Of course Poncie was the only person who spoke or looked like he was from Hawaii.
Actually, when you think about it, the only person who is really from Hawaii in the present Hawaii 5-0 is Teila Tuli who plays the chubby Kamekona.
I sure wish there was someone like Poncie Ponce who could have been on Hawaii 5-0 now. If there were, I know I'd be enjoying the show much more.
Tonight Art is remembering the "Honokaa boy" who made it big in Hollywood and is feeling the pride that Poncie brought to the Big Island. We send Del and his family our deepest condolences.
POSTSCRIPT: I used the term Honokaa Boy because of the movie that was filmed in Honokaa a few years ago by a Japanese studio.
That show must have been the precursor to Hawaii 5-0 and Magnum P.I. I used to love watching it even though the sets seemed very fake and were filmed mostly in Hollywood. It was still fun to see a show that was supposed to be about Hawaii. Of course Poncie was the only person who spoke or looked like he was from Hawaii.
Actually, when you think about it, the only person who is really from Hawaii in the present Hawaii 5-0 is Teila Tuli who plays the chubby Kamekona.
I sure wish there was someone like Poncie Ponce who could have been on Hawaii 5-0 now. If there were, I know I'd be enjoying the show much more.
Tonight Art is remembering the "Honokaa boy" who made it big in Hollywood and is feeling the pride that Poncie brought to the Big Island. We send Del and his family our deepest condolences.
POSTSCRIPT: I used the term Honokaa Boy because of the movie that was filmed in Honokaa a few years ago by a Japanese studio.
I don't remember that show but somehow I am familiar with the name of it and all the stars that were in it! Maybe I do remember it, maybe they showed it later on re-runs? So sorry to learn of the passing of Poncie.
ReplyDeleteRichard says he even remembers seeing the show in England!
I tried watching that new Hawaii 5-0 but I didn't like it, which is sad since I watch so many things just to see the background in Hawaii!
(Jurassic Park, LOST, Fifty First Dates, Six Days-Seven Nights...I am a bit of a nutcase about Hawaii!)
I liked the new Hawaii 5-0 for a while, but lately, we've been rather so-so with it. We'll watch it if we have nothing to do, but if we miss it, no big deal.
Deletehe was a very handsome man, I don't know of the sow you spoke of but we really enjoy the other two shows, I doubt we missed a one.Watched the reruns as well!!!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness I remember that show and that guy.
ReplyDeleteDitto Jill of All Trades. I remember the show and the guy:)
ReplyDeleteI do remember that show, but then again, I'm older than you. Rest in peace, Poncie. He lived a long life.
ReplyDeleteGosh! He was only 80 years old though. To me that's still young. My mom is 83 and looking strong.
DeleteI don't think I've seen anything with him in it
ReplyDeleteI remember the show but never watched it...
ReplyDeleteSad news. I do remember Robert Conrad, thought him very handsome when I was a little girl!
ReplyDeleteSadly when that show aired, I was in my heavy dating mode and rarely watched any TV. Did Art get to meet him? My condolences to Art's child hood friend. Loss of a sibling is always hard.
ReplyDeleteOh yes! Poncie came back regularly to visit family in Honokaa. Art tells me he still remembers the big tip Poncie would leave at their small family restaurant.
DeleteWhat a history. I was in 3rd grade at the end of the show's run, and I don't remember it. Glad he brought a good image of Hawaii to the TV. I wonder if the series is recorded and available for purchase. Sorry for the loss to all. DrumMajor
ReplyDeleteGosh... I don't know if the series is still available. I'd love to see a show again just to remember what it was like. I can barely remember it.
DeleteI saw Hawaiian Eye for the first couple of years, then I went off to college. We did not get out first TV until 1956, and my dad did not approve.
ReplyDeleteI remember Hawaiian Eye well, I used to watch it on English TV. It was very popular there. I loved that show. RIP Poncie!
ReplyDeleteNow that you mention it, I do remember the show Hawaiian Eye. I liked it. I also remember 'Poncie' the cab driver on the show. Oh, what precious memories of bygone days! Nice post, Kay. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
ReplyDeleteI don't recall watching the show sadly. I was not much of a TV person then and now.
ReplyDeleteL...w
Poncie was in the show intro:
ReplyDeleteCondolences
http://youtu.be/wWgT43pWB4U
DeleteThanks, Cloudia. It was such fun to see those opening credits again.
DeleteI do remember the show, and I wasn't all that little. :<) I'm sorry to hear of his death. Why aren't there more Hawaiians in H 5-0? I'll never understand the entertainment biz. I wanted to tell you that I am just now reading the first in the Charlie Chan series by Earl Derr Biggers, and it isn't a bit like the old movies I used to watch. It is very well written, there's a good mystery, and it isn't as racist as even Agatha was in her day. Most importantly, it is a love song to Hawaii. Yet even then, the 1920s, there is a character who mourns the passing of the old Hawaii. It is really wonderful, and I think you'd like it if you haven't ever read it. Title is The House Without a Key.
ReplyDeleteI have heard of this, but never got around to reading the book. Now you've got me curious. I shall try downloading the book onto my Kindle.
DeleteJust did it. I was able to buy it for 99 cents on Amazon. :-)
DeleteMy kids loved Hawaii-5-0. One day they saw Jack Lord downtown and were thrilled. I remember Poncie Ponce from Hawaiian Eye. I know the blonde boy Kookie always combed his hair at the beginning of the show. Dianne
ReplyDeleteI had to look that up online. Kookie was on 77 Sunset Strip. Connie Stevens who acted on Hawaiian Eye and did some appearances on 77 Sunset Strip performed the song, "Kookie, Kookie Lend Me Your Comb" which became a hit. I do still remember that song. Gracious! The blond person on Hawaiian Eye must have been Troy Donahue who was in the last season. Apparently, Poncie Ponce did some appearances on 77 Sunset Strip also playing the same character. From what Art read Connie Stevens became a close friend of the Ponce family. Ah well... that was more than anybody wanted to know, I'm sure. :-) However, it was a trip down memory lane.
DeletePS that's downtown Honolulu. Dianne
ReplyDeleteMy mom says she was at a bank in Honolulu a long, long time ago when she realized that there was a really, really tall, really, really handsome caucasian fellow in front of her. Everybody was whispering that it was Jack Lord. She was amazed that he was as good looking as on TV and taller. :-)
DeleteI remember this guy. That was a long time ago.
ReplyDeleteWanted to thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment. You mentioned that you were thinking about subscribing to Netflix. They are good but I'm thinking Amazon Prime is better. you get a free 30 day trial then if you like it, they charge you a one-time fee of $79 for an entire year and you can quit at anytime and they will reimburse you on what you didn't use. Also if you make purchases on Amazon.com you can get free 2-day shipping for being a member of Amazon Prime.
Stop by again sometime and check out my other two blogs.
Kay
I think I remember the show, but you know how it is with old things. Memories fade. Condolences to Poncie's fans and family.
ReplyDelete