Tiny Bubbles

Reprise released Tiny Bubbles on November 11, 1966, produced by Sonny Burke (RS 6232). Don Ho was already the Waikiki showroom face of Hawaiian pop for mainland tourists; the LP packaged that hospitality sound for living-room stereos.

The title track, written by Leon Pober, became Ho’s signature and kept turning up on variety television for years. The album peaked at No. 15 on the Billboard 200 in 1967 on the strength of that single, sitting beside Hawaiian standards and mid-’60s pop arrangements.

When a home tiki bar needs to stop being mysterious and start being a welcome, this is the gear. Warm, singable, a little corn — mainland Waikiki hospitality rather than Denny Shell Bar bird calls. Pair with Alfred Apaka or Hawaii Calls when the night is hospitality-first.