Bing Crosby and Owens began their friendship when both played the Lafayette Cafe in Los Angeles in 1926 . In 1934 , Owens wrote " Sweet Leilani " to celebrate the birth of his daughter , and made it the signature song of his Royal Hawaiian Hotel Orchestra . While vacationing in Honolulu with his wife Dixie Lee , Crosby heard the song and wanted to include it in his upcoming movie '' Waikiki Wedding '' . Harry was hesitant , but Bing convinced him . Producer Arthur Hornblow , Jr. was a hard sell . Hornblow dug in his heels that the song would not be used in the movie . Crosby retreated to the golf course and refused to return until Hornblow agreed to include the song in the film . " Sweet Leilani " won Best Song category at the 1938 10th Academy Awards , and became Crosby 's first gold record
10th Academy Awards
10th Academy Awards
Harry Owens