Shirley Temple's Hawaii connection

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Hawaii is saying aloha to Shirley Temple Black.

The popular actress died of natural causes at her home in California Monday night at the age of 85.

America's Darling was showered with lei every time she visited Hawaii. She was a Hollywood giant who loved Hawaiian culture, and shared it with the world.

"I love Honolulu and hope to come back some day. Aloha" said the beloved Child Star, in a video taken when she was named "Honorary Captain of Waikiki Beach."

Temple's aloha for Hawaii was well-documented.

"Wonderful memory of Shirley Temple" said Royal Hawaiian Hotel Cultural Services Director Kehaulani Kam, as she pointed out a picture to a tour group at the hotel today.

The hotel has two pictures up of the star. The one Kam highlighted is downstairs. It shows Shirley Temple's arrival by ship at Aloha Tower in 1937. The young star was greeted by Duke Kahanamoku, along with 15 thousand fans.

The child star sang her signature song "On the Good Ship Lollipop" at Iolani Palace in 1935.

That was the same year she visited children at Shriner's, and cameras caught a sweet snapshot of Shirley on Duke Kahanamoku's shoulders that resembles another picture of her bonding with her dad on Waikiki Beach.

Kam explained Temple's connection to the Royal Hawaiian to the tour group. In her words, "she spent so much time here at the Royal, strumming the ukulele, singing with her beautiful curls, dimples, just mesmerizing people's hearts.

The actress loved staying at the Pink Palace, the Royal Hawaiian because pink was her favorite color. Legend has it that was the inspiration for a drink created there for Shirley.

"It's true" said Royal Hawaiian bartender Vincent Lassoff.

He whipped up the famous non-alcoholic pink drink. "Do a full glass of ginger ale, dollop of grenadine. Top it off with a few cherries and that there is the Shirley Temple just as we used to create it for her."

Lassoff added, "Today a lot of people have been ordering it. More so than normal."

The talented tyke won hearts all over the world. She fell in love at first sight with Hawaii Pineapple Executive Charles Black in the 50's. She added his last name to her famous moniker, left her Hollywood career, worked as an Ambassador, and raised two children with Black until his death in 2005.

The beloved actress made 40 movies before she turned 12. Shirley Temple Black led a full life that will live on in her popular movies. Temple famously asked, "Mommy, can I go home now" after accepting her Academy Award in 1935.

Her memory will also make fans raise their glass, Shirley Temple in hand, like Mai Tai Bar's Vincent Lassey did, saying "To Shirley!"

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