Eddie Kamae, born Edward Leilani Kamae on August 4, 1927, in Honolulu, Hawaii, was a pivotal figure in the Hawaiian cultural renaissance. Raised in a family rich with Hawaiian tradition, his grandmother was a court dancer for King David Kalākaua. Eddie learned to play the 'ukulele on an instrument his brother found, and by age 14, he was performing at jam sessions, earning accolades and money from audiences.

Kamae's early career included a 1949 tour of the U.S. mainland with Ray Kinney's Hawaiian Revue. In 1959, he co-founded the influential band Sons of Hawaii with slack-key guitar virtuoso Gabby Pahinui. Known for his innovative 'ukulele techniques, Kamae brought the instrument to the forefront, playing both chords and melody simultaneously. The Sons of Hawaii became renowned for their authentic and rhythmically assertive style, contributing significantly to the Hawaiian cultural revival.

Beyond music, Kamae was a dedicated film producer, creating documentaries to preserve Hawaiian culture and music. His works include "LI'A: The Legacy of a Hawaiian Man" and "The Hawaiian Way: The Art and Tradition of Slack Key Music." He was recognized with numerous awards, including the Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts Na Hoku Hanohano Lifetime Achievement Award and being named a Living Treasure of Hawai‘i.

Eddie Kamae's legacy is marked by his contributions to music, cultural preservation, and education, having personally presented his work to over 200,000 students in Hawaii's public schools. He passed away on January 7, 2017, leaving behind a rich archive of music and films that continue to inspire and educate future generations.