Lei adorned a blacked-out showtimes sign for the Don Ho show at the Waikiki Beachcomber hotel yesterday, where fans came to pay their respects and reminisce about the man who they said was as much an icon of Hawai'i as Diamond Head.

"When I thought of him, I thought of Hawai'i," said Ed Johns, a 71-year-old visitor from Canada. "It's wonderful he was able to keep up with it right to the end."

Lucille Arsenault, also of Canada, said she grew up with Ho's crooning in her living room. Her mother was a huge fan and played his records incessantly.

"It's really sad," she said. "He had a beautiful voice."

As news of Ho's death spread yesterday, hundreds of fans and friends shared their memories of the beloved entertainer at two of his hangouts — the Beachcomber on Kalakaua Avenue and his namesake restaurant, Don Ho's Island Grill.

The eatery at Aloha Tower, which Ho once co-owned, was full of Ho fans yesterday afternoon. They took photos next to memorabilia or by tribute signs posted by workers. The signs had a photo of a smiling, middle-aged Ho.

They read, "We wish you warm aloha."

George Valente of 'Aiea said it was Ho's aloha spirit that drew so many to him.

Ho's songs had the power to transport people to Hawai'i, Valente said.

Valente brought a friend, Phoenix resident Staci Hauk, to eat with him at the grill.

She said she didn't know Ho's music well, but knew his name and always connected it with the Islands. "He seemed like a down-to-earth person," Hauk said.

California resident Ginny Collins, who was sitting on a bench near the restaurant, said she listened to Ho in high school. Each time she turned on the music, she imagined visiting Hawai'i. She only now made it to the Islands — some 30 years later.

Judy and Richard Rapp, who are traveling with Collins, added that Ho's music will live on for years to come as synonymous with Waikiki.

"Everybody knows 'Tiny Bubbles,'" Judy Rapp said with a laugh. "You can sing it in your sleep."

As some left lei or balloons at Don Ho's Island Grill or the Beachcomber's Hoku Hale Showroom, where Ho performed since 1994, dozens of others filled The Advertiser's Internet tribute page to the legendary singer.

John Leach of Kentucky wrote yesterday afternoon about how he had seen the Don Ho Show at the Waikiki Beachcomber hotel last month.

"Although he appeared frail, he still put on a great show," Leach wrote.

"Back in the '60s or '70s, my mother visited Hawai'i and got an 8-by-10 photo of Don Ho kissing her. I now keep that picture with my album of my trip to Hawai'i."

From Houston, Pearla McLean said she has been coming to the Islands since 1971, and watched Ho's shows every year.

"When you think of Hawai'i, you think of Don Ho," she wrote. "It is truly an honor to have met such a wonderful person as well as an icon of Hawai'i. For Don will always be remembered."

Reach Mary Vorsino at mvorsino@honoluluadvertiser.com.