Ed Michelman, a veteran voice of radio and TV, a booster of the Royal Hawaiian Band and a stickler for accuracy in Hawaiian music, died Dec. 6 in Honolulu. He was 78.

"His was a voice we all grew up with," said radio personality Jacqueline Rossetti, also known as The Honolulu Skylark. "For years, he worked with my cousin, Aaron Mahi, when he was with the Royal Hawaiian Band. He was just a wonderful man and caring so much for Hawaiian music."

Said son Patrick Michelman: "He was given the Hawaiian name Kaho'olono, which means the voice of God," dating back to when Ed Michelman was program director at KHVH Radio and a deejay alongside such people as Don Ho, Zulu and Sam Kapu Jr.

Michelman also was president of The Friends of the Royal Hawaiian Band.

Mahi was working with Michelman to develop the arrangement of music by Henri Berger, first conductor of the Royal Hawaiian Band, in archival research from the Na Mele Hawai'i collection, so that "I could write up lead sheet music of Berger's compositions for educational purposes, so that the (material) could be developed for beginning and other bands," Mahi said.

Cathy Foy Mahi, who is married to the former maestro, met Michelman when she started singing with the Royal Hawaiian Band. She called him "the consummate pro."

"He knew his Hawaiian history, literature and music better than anyone I have known," said Foy Mahi.

As president of The Friends of the Royal Hawaiian Band, Michelman served as its narrator and host at concerts here and abroad, including Europe and at the band's first concert at New York's Carnegie Hall. He had a 40-year association with the fabled band.

His diverse career tapped media (KHVH and KDEO on radio; KTRG, KHON and KGMB on TV) and in public relations (he was spokesman for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs for nearly 10 years).

"He was the voice of authority; he articulated his words so very well," said Foy Mahi. "That made him a wonderful emcee."

His son, Patrick, recalled when his dad hosted a funky show originating from Kalakaua Avenue called "Sing Along With Miki," featuring Island music.

Skylar cherished one particular song he favored: "He used to sing 'Halii Ka Moena,' about a bed-quilt for two, which he also danced hula to. It was so wonderful."

Michelman was born May 2, 1929, in New York.

Private services and burial were held Monday at Mililani Memorial Park in Waipi'o.

Besides his son, survivors include his wife, Kimi; a brother, Frederick, of Washington, D.C.; two grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.