Henri Berger

Biography

Henri Berger arrived in Hawaii from Prussia and became the musical heartbeat of the islands as bandmaster of the Royal Hawaiian Band for decades. He introduced European training methods while also embracing native rhythms, helping the band become a celebrated cultural institution under the patronage of King Kalākaua.

Berger arranged and composed numerous pieces, including the stirring melody that would become Hawaiʻi Ponoʻi, and mentored generations of Hawaiian musicians so that their artistry could flourish. His legacy is felt each time the band plays and in the many songs that still echo across the islands.