At the Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel yesterday, where Don Ho's show has been since 1994, tourists who had been planning to buy tickets to see the entertainer were shocked when they heard the Hawai'i icon died.

The revered entertainer had his last performance at the Beachcomber on Thursday evening.

"Ti—ny bubbles," Charles Michael, an 87-year-old Washington state resident, slowly sang after hearing the news.

His wife, Joyce, teared up.

"We were going to see him before we left," she said, wiping her eyes.

The couple saw Ho perform about 20 years ago and loved him. When they went home, they took his records with them.

Nancy and Robert Stoll of Florida also wanted to see Don Ho during their vacation. Nancy Stoll said she has been a fan of Ho since the 1960s, when she came to Hawai'i and fell in love with his smooth crooning.

"I had all his music," she said. "I just loved it."

Even though other favorite singers came along, Stoll still had a special place in her heart for Ho, whom she associated with Waikiki in the 1960s, replete with beach boys, exotic drinks and melodic tunes.

Maine resident Janet Stanhope, who was eating with her family at Don Ho's Island Grill, said she has seen Ho perform twice in past years.

Both times, she was able to get a photo with him — and a hug from him.

"He was just so easy and laid back," she said.

Stanhope and her husband had talked about catching Ho perform one more time before they headed back to the Mainland.

But even those who never heard Ho sing in person felt his loss.

"I know him as a legend," said Dera Look, of Kane'ohe, who was eating a pizza with a friend at Don Ho's Island Grill yesterday.

"When you think of what makes up Hawai'i, it's Don Ho and Waikiki."

New York resident Maureen Williamson, who was sitting at the Waikiki Beachcomber yesterday, just yards from where Ho performed three times a week, said she was surprised when she saw Ho was still entertaining at 76.

"He seems timeless," she said, shaking her head.

Linda Fairhurst, who was nearby looking at tourist guidebooks, agreed.

"You associate the man with Hawai'i," said the Spokane, Wash., resident.

Reach Mary Vorsino at mvorsino@honoluluadvertiser.com.