Who is Harry Owens

I admire Harry Owens for the beautiful music he made,
his ability to create a lasting contribution to the world during the hardest of times - the great depression.
Not only was Harry Owens able to bring music into the lives of people needing a diversion, he also raised a lovely family who have gone on to have their own successful lives.
Harry Owens was a very generous man. He helped many other stars of the big band era get their start in the big band business. Harry Owens was and is much loved and admired.

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Harry Owens, sr. Leader of the famous Royal Hawaiian dance band, wrote the song "Sweet Leilani" as a lullaby for his first born child, Leilani.
While vacationing in the islands, Bang Crosby heard the song and asked for permission to use it in his forthcoming movie "Waikiki Wedding." Harry Owens was reluctant to commercialize the song and refused permission. Crosby persisted and overcame Harry's reluctance by suggesting that any royalties from the song be placed in an educational trust fund for Leilani and any other children that Harry and Bess might have. "Sweet Leilani" was sung by Bing Crosby in the movie and won the academy award for the best song. The royalties were placed in an educational trust fund and helped pay for the education of the second child , Harry Owens, Jr. at St. Louis University and St. Louis University Medical school.

Harry, jr. Practiced with the Eskimos in Nome, Alaska and, while serving as a volunteer with the Hope Ship, heard of Dr. Luke and his work. Harry soon joined Luke on the Amazon and took the hospital ship ESPERANÇA on its first life saving voyages. When Luke, who had been out of medical school for 17 years without advanced medical training, returned to the United States to update his medical Education, Harry Owens, Jr. became the Fundação Esperança's medical director.

Harry initiated an intern program with the University of Pará at Belém, Brazil where senior medical, dental, and laboratory students would spend 6 months with the Fundação Esperança, both to obtain experience and to acquaint the students with the medical problems of the people of the Amazon. Even after years as Fundação Esperança's medical director, Harry continued to volunteer.