The legendary singer, songwriter and actress Dolly Parton has died at age 80 in Nashville, Tennessee, according to a post shared on her social media accounts today. Gov. Josh Green ordered flags in Hawaiʻi to be flown at half-staff.
“Dolly Parton gave the world hope, laughter and the courage to dream bigger,” Green said in a statement. “Though her roots were in Tennessee, she built a real and lasting connection with Hawaiʻi. She made a home on Oʻahu, celebrated our artists and culture, helped put books into the hands of our keiki and used her voice to support Maui families after the wildfires.”
Parton had owned a home in Portlock, performed for audiences on Oʻahu, and filmed a 1988 episode of her ABC variety series “Dolly” in the Islands. That episode, called “My Hawaiʻi,” featured prominent local entertainers including Palani Vaughan, Melveen Leed, the Brothers Cazimero, Danny Kaleikini, Al Harrington and Danny Couch and ended in Waimea Valley with Parton and the Honolulu Boys Choir performing “How Great Thou Art.”
That same year, she spoke with the Honolulu Star-Bulletin about her love of Spam and her short-lived Hawaiʻi Kai restaurant, Dockside Plantation. Some of the restaurant’s recipes are still available online.
The Hawaiʻi Academy of Recording Arts could not be reached immediately for comment.
“We will always love you, Dolly,” shared Blue Note Hawaiʻi on Instagram. “Joining the world in celebrating a true trailblazer who brought so much light, extraordinary talent and pure kindness into everything she did. Hawaiʻi held a special place in Dolly’s heart, and her connection to our islands, filled with the same warmth, humility and aloha she gave the world, will never be forgotten. Our hearts go out to her ‘ohana, fans, supporters and loved ones. Her music and legacy will live on forever. Rest in Aloha.”
Lani Girl Langi, the entertainer known for her long-running shows on KCCN FM100 and Hawaiian 105 KINE FM, as well as her presence at television and live events, also took to social media to reflect.
“As amazing as she was — singer, songwriter, musician, actress, entrepreneur, philanthropist — it was her grace, integrity, compassion, and kindness I fell in love with,” she wrote on social media. “She did not allow the entertainment industry to mold or break or change her. She is the embodiment of aloha. Thank you for sharing your amazing life with us, Dolly!”
After the Maui wildfires of 2023, Parton joined Felix Cavaliere of The Rascals to record a new version of “My Hawaiʻi” the proceeds of which went to Maui United Way to benefit those impacted by the fires.
Parton’s career spans seven decades. She has sold more than 100 million records worldwide and earned 10 Grammy Awards and 55 nominations. Parton has also been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
She came from Appalachia and was the fourth of twelve children. She was born on Jan. 19, 1946, in Locust Ridge, Tennessee, according to her bio on the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which has existed for more than three decades, has distributed more than 300 million free books to keiki. Support her legacy: dollyparton.com.
Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.
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