Focus Hawaii Uncle Five Cents

Authors

• Lance Chase
• Thomas Au

Files

Description

Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features Thomas Au, affectionately known as “Uncle Five Cents,” a lifelong Laie resident and respected steel guitar player. He shares the story behind his nickname—earned as a boy diving for coins at the old “Beauty Hole”—and talks about his Hawaiian‑Chinese heritage, local swimming legends, and his place as the eighth steel guitarist in a long Laie tradition. Uncle Five Cents recounts the history of the steel guitar, including the role of Joseph Kekuku, and explains how he taught himself by buying 78‑rpm records, comparing players, and practicing late into the night. He also describes performing at the famous Hukilau events, his admiration for steel artists like Solomon Hopi, and the revival of steel guitar music. Beyond music, he reflects on his years working in the sugar plantation, construction, and for the City and County of Honolulu. The episode concludes with a live performance of the classic steel guitar piece “Sands,” accompanied by BYU–Hawaii student Fred Watson.

Length of Video

00:30:02

File Size

2.5GB

Archives Call Number

22.FH

Air Date

1986

Keywords

Lance Chase, Uncle Five Cents, Thomas Au, Laie history, Hawaiian steel guitar, Joseph Kekuku, Solomon Hopi, Beauty Hole, Hukilau Beach, Hawaiian music traditions, steel guitar revival, BYU–Hawaii, Hawaiian plantation life, local musicians, Sands steel guitar song

Recommended Citation

Chase, Lance and Au, Thomas, "Focus Hawaii Uncle Five Cents" (1986). Focus Hawaii. 102.
https://digitalcollections.byuh.edu/focushawaii/102