Cocoanut Grove. The soundtrack also featured the Owens-penned songs '"Cocoanut Grove" and "Dreamy Hawaiian Moon." They also appeared in the 1942 Betty Grable film Song of the Islands. In 1949, Owens started to appear regularly on television. He made regular appearances in California, both in person and on television. He established the hapa haole style of Hawaii music (native music as interpreted by foreigners) which was developed by Sonny Cunha and Johnny Noble, and he enjoyed significant commercial success with this style of music-making. Owens is credited with about 300 hapa haole songs, many of which remain popular with musicians playing in this style. Owens was a great advocate of Hawaii and things Hawaiian. He founded a tourism company and music publishing business. He died in Eugene, Oregon. Recognition The Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts awarded Owens the 1987 Na Hoku Hanohano Lifetime Achievement Award for his substantial contributions to the entertainment industry in Hawaii. Discography Albums Hawaii, 1945, Capitol A-4, BD-4, H-166, H-238 Songs of Hawaii, 1945, Capitol A-6, BD-6, H-268 Hawaiian Melodies, 1948, Columbia CL-6030 Voice Of The Trade Winds, 1952, Capitol H-333 Polynesian Holiday, 1957, Capitol T 804 Great Songs of Hawaii, 1965, Hamilton HLP-141, HLP-12141 References Further reading Owens, Harry. Sweet Leilani: The Story Behind the Song: An Autobiography. Hula House, 1970. External links Allmusic Aloha Harry Owens with music samples Harry Owens and His Royal Hawaiians discography - Rate Your Music Discogs Harry Owens & His Royal Hawaiian Orchestra Discography 1902 births 1986 deaths Best Original Song Academy Award-winning songwriters Songwriters from Nebraska American male composers Na Hoku Hanohano Award winners People from O'Neill, Nebraska 20th-century American composers 20th-century American male musicians American male songwriters