Paradise to Paradise: The Rap Reiplinger Story

More than four decades after redefining comedy in Hawaii, Rap Reiplinger and his humor are still making people laugh. His iconic catch phrases are forever carved in the memory banks of fans old and new, whether they live in Hawaii or have migrated elsewhere.

Rap’s one-liners are comedic glue that bind people together and bridge generations whenever anyone takes a sip of wine and declares it, “Not too sweet, not too rancid, but jesss right!” That line and other “Rapisms” make folks laugh, and, whatever their differences, they find common ground in Rap’s unique perspective on Hawaii’s ethnic melting pot.

Rap’s groundbreaking work as one of the founding members of the theatrical comedy ensemble Booga Booga, and his solo material have indelibly stamped Rap’s name in the rich history of the Hawaiian Renaissance, a revolutionary cultural and artistic movement.

Leesa Clark Stone is a journalist who previously worked at Honolulu ABC affiliate KITV. She is the widow of Rap Reiplinger and through this book, provides an intimate look inside of the life of one of Hawaii’s best-loved entertainers. She combines her memories and insight with those of people who knew and were close to Rap. The result is a book full of never- heard-before anecdotes and stories that will make readers laugh, maybe cry, and in the end, come away with a greater understanding of the complex man behind the laughs.