Singer, songwriter and starlet Dolly Parton, who died last week at age 80, once owned a home, operated a restaurant and performed in Hawaiʻi. Parton was laid to rest in a private funeral service on Friday in Nashville beside her late husband Carl Dean, People reported.
With a career that spanned seven decades, Parton is known locally for the 1988 episode of her ABC variety series, “Dolly,” called “My Hawaiʻi,” which featured Palani Vaughan, Melveen Leed, The Brothers Cazimero, Danny Kaleikini, Al Harrington, and more.
Aloha State Daily reached out to the Hawaiʻi State Archives, which is part of the Department of Accounting and General Services, to ask about photos of Parton in Hawaiʻi. Staff at the archives were able to pull these photos for readers.
The Variety Club held a "Salute to Dolly Parton" on Oct. 4, 1987, where the singer and songwriter placed her handprints in the cement alongside previous honorees including Don Ho, Jim Narbors, Danny Kaleikini and more. (Courtesy of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser/ DAGS Hawaiʻi State Archives) 
Dolly Parton owned a home in Portlock, performed for audiences on Oʻahu, and filmed a 1988 episode of her ABC variety series “Dolly” in the Islands. (Courtesy of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser/ DAGS Hawaiʻi State Archives) 
Dolly Parton posed for the camera with flowers in her hair. (Courtesy of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser/ DAGS Hawaiʻi State Archives) 
The legendary singer, songwriter and actress Dolly Parton died at age 80 in Nashville, Tennessee, according to a post shared on her social media accounts last week. (Courtesy of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser/ DAGS Hawaiʻi State Archives) 
Dolly Parton spoke with the Honolulu Star-Bulletin about her love of Spam and her short-lived Hawaiʻi Kai restaurant, Dockside Plantation. (Courtesy of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser/ DAGS Hawaiʻi State Archives) 
Dolly Parton’s career spanned seven decades. She has sold more than 100 million records worldwide and earned 10 Grammy Awards and 55 nomination (Courtesy of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser/ DAGS Hawaiʻi State Archives) 
Dolly Partonʻs career spanned seven decades. She has sold more than 100 million records worldwide and earned 10 Grammy Awards and 55 nominations. (Courtesy of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser/ DAGS Hawaiʻi State Archives) 
Dolly Parton with her part-time body guard Norm Compton, who went on to become a cowboy singer. (Courtesy of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser/ DAGS Hawaiʻi State Archives) 
The Dollywood Foundation runs the Imagination Library, which has distributed more than 300 million free books to children. (Courtesy of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser/ DAGS Hawaiʻi State Archives) 
Dolly Parton filmed an episode of her ABC variety series “Dolly” in Hawaiʻi in 1988. 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 singing alongside the Honolulu Boys Choir. (Courtesy of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser/ DAGS Hawaiʻi State Archives)
In honor of her life, Blue Note Hawaiʻi is hosting a special event, Kelly Vohnn’s Dolly Parton Tribute, on Monday, Sept. 14, which benefits The Dollywood Foundation. Parton created the foundation to inspire children to achieve educational success and it implemented her Imagination Library, which gives books to children under five years old to inspire a love of reading. Tickets start at $30. Details.
The governor of Tennessee has announced plans to rename Nashville Airport in her honor.
Looking for more historical photos? The Hawaiʻi State Archives contain photos, musical instruments, and information about genealogy, land, court records, government records, and more. There are millions of records available online. More content can be found by visiting the archives where visitors should bring photo ID and be ready to leave purses or bags in a locker at the front. Details.
Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.
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