Frank Ferera was a pioneering Hawaiian musician born on June 12, 1885, in Honolulu, Kingdom of Hawaiʻi, of Portuguese ancestry. He became the first star of Hawaiian music, recording successfully between 1915 and 1930, and influenced many later artists. Ferera's career began when he visited the mainland United States with the Keoki E Awai troupe, performing at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. His talent caught the attention of Thomas Edison, who released two of Ferera's solo songs on his record label.

Ferera married Helen Louise Greenus, and together they toured the USA, performing in vaudeville and recording extensively for Columbia Records, Victor Records, and other labels. Their recording "Drowsy Waters" was a major hit, selling over 300,000 copies. In 1917, Ferera's sister-in-law, Irene Greenus, joined them as a vocalist. Ferera also formed a long-lasting guitar partnership with Anthony Franchini.

Tragically, on December 12, 1919, Helen disappeared from the steamship SS President and was presumed lost at sea. Despite this personal loss, Ferera continued his musical career and played guitar accompaniment to Vernon Dalhart's "Wreck of the Old 97," a landmark in country music history.

In the late 1920s, during a surge in Hawaiian music's popularity, Ferera recorded with jazz singer Annette Hanshaw. Despite being overshadowed by new steel guitarists like Sol Hoʻopiʻi, Ferera's legacy includes playing on over 2,000 discs. He married three times and passed away on June 26, 1951, survived by his third wife, Ruth, and his children, Frank Ferreira III and Mary Ferreira.