Since 1902

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The White Hawaiian has been in the making since the turn of the century when Eric Gilliom’s great grandfather, Louis Bucklemen Woodd, a barefisted boxer from Canada, landed on the shores of Maui’s Kahului Harbor by sheer drunken luck.

It’s here he met his beautiful Hawaiian maiden, Jennie Ho’okano Ka’āhanui. They had five children with one being Eric’s grandmother, Jennie Ka’āhanui Woodd.

At a very young age Eric’s grandmother started entertaining with hula performances. She took the stage name Napua and hit the road. Over the years she performed on ships and in various cities throughout the United States.

In New York City Napua meets Lloyd Holmer Gilliom, the first trumpet player for the Sammy Kaye Orchestra. It was a wild ride that gave her Eric’s father, Lloyd Brent Gilliom. With baby Lloyd in tow, she continued her flourishing career. In the late 1940’s Napua found herself in the middle of Hollywood where she had opportunities in film, TV and dance.

For young Lloyd growing up on the road gave him a different perspective of life so that when he spotted the woman he wanted to be his wife, Marilee, he relentlessly pursued her until she agreed to marry him. Three kids later and the family entertainment story continues on.

Being around Napua’s performances at an early age opened the door for Eric to follow in his grandmother’s footsteps. Finding his tribe in the performing arts, Eric has accumulated a portfolio of some really great hits and some disastrous flops that can only be told as hysterical historical recollections by Eric himself.

The coconut didn’t fall far from the tree!