Mena Moeria Minstrels

The Mena Moeria Minstrels

The Mena Moeria Minstrels were a popular Netherlands based Hawaiian music group. They were made up of mainly Moluccans from the former Dutch East Indies colony. The group was originally led by steel guitarist Rudi Wairata and also featured Joyce Aubrey and Ming Luhulima. They were prolific in their output releasing at least twenty singles in the 1950s.

The Mena Moeria Minstrels, like their sister group the Amboina Serenaders were under the umbrella of Rudi Wairata. They were in the Hawaiian music bag. In 1951, the line up consisted of Rudi Wairata, Ming Luhulima, Charlie Kuipers, Pariury and Patty. Around 1952, Joyce Aubrey joined the group. Guitarist Joop Sahanaya, a cousin of Wairata also joined. In addition to them, the act also included some dancing hula girls.

In 1953, Wairata was able to get a recording contract from Dureco. The way they interpreted Hawaiian music had the interest of the record company.

Having found success with the Mena Moeria Minstrels, Wairata started up another group, the Amboina Serenaders. This group basically had the same line up of members as the Minstrels with the exception of an extra member who played the vibraphone.

Around 1957, a disagreement within the group developed, which resulted in the departure of Wairata. His departure also affected the Amboina Serenaders. This resulted in Luhulima being leader of both groups. In 1958, Aubrey left the band to join her ex-husbands group, the Royal Hawaiian Minstrels.

In 1962, under the obvious leadership of Ming Luhulima, an EP was issued on the Omega label with all compositions by Luhulima. The tracks were "Waikiki Beach March", "Bongo March", "Polynesian March" and "Maori March". It also featured Coy Pereira on steel guitar.

Founding member Rudi Wairata died in 1981. The following year "Ola Bapa Dja" bw "Goro Goro Né was re released on Non records.

...
Wikipedia