Andy Bumatai

About Andy Bumatai

There is only one Hawaiian, Filipino, French, German comedian in the entire world and he is Hawaii's first stand-up comic: Andy Bumatai. A naturally funny and versatile performer, Andy's relaxed style, quick wit, stage presence and charm has made him Hawaii's Don Ho of comedy and the hottest star of the decade. There has never been a comic force in Hawaii quite like him, capable of being spontaneously funny anywhere, anytime. He is known to get a laugh even when he goes surfing. But the most refreshing thing about Andy Bumatai, which is reflected in his humor, is that his commitment to comedy is paralleled by his love for Hawaii and its people. Andrew Jackson Bumatai was born in Germany (where his parents met and were married) on Christmas Eve, 1953, more than five thousand miles from Hawaii. While still a young child, Andy and his family moved back to the mainland where he began his early education. His meticulous speech and command of the English language was probably the result of San Francisco's demanding school system where he completed his first four grades. At the age of nine something significant happened to him that would affect him for the rest of his life. One afternoon, Andy was waiting for the family wash at the neighborhood laundromat when he spotted a popsicle stick on the floor. Grabbing a pillowcase still wet from the wash, he snapped the stick across the room. Amused by his aim, he snapped it again, this time spinning it into the air, but to his surprise the stick shot back at him and pierced his left eye. The result was a near blind eye that still causes people to wonder if he's looking at them or not, but at the same time, it has contributed to some of his zaniest expressions. In 1966 Andy returned home to Hawaii with his family. After one year of living in Kalihi, they moved to Waianae where he attended Waianae Elementary, Intermediate, and High School. He soon learned to surf, play saxophone and flute, and was voted the class clown in Intermediate School. His talent was showing itself and naturally he made many friends. But Andy learned one of his first lessons of comedy in Waianae - there's always somebody who can't take a joke. Asserting his independence early in life, Andy dropped out of high school, moved out of his parent's home, and got his first job as a dishwasher at the Fog Cutter Restaurant in Waianae. Having his own mouth to feed, he polished surfboards for a dollar a piece at the Mystic Surf Shop, took a cooking course at Kapiolani Community College, and finally got his first sales job shortly after his eighteenth birthday selling vacuum cleaners door to door. This led to a job with Gatliff Corporation selling Royal Bond Copiers, and as a result of his hard work he was promoted sales manager before he was nineteen, and had his own luxury apartment and two Mercedes. As sales manager, Andy frequently did business with clients in Hawaii's better-known restaurants and nightspots. It was during this four-year period that he noticed the total absence of stand-up comics on the entertainment scene. Against all odds, Andy decided to fill that void. He quit his lucrative job with Gatliff, sold his cars, moved into a cheap apartment, and began his career in comedy. Supporting himself by selling used cars, leis at the airport and coconuts to tourists (and an occasional appearance as "Captain Wacky Pop" at kiddie parties), he knocked on the door of any bar or nightclub that even had a small stage he could beg his wa...

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Comedian Andy Bumatai on his health, upcoming shows, and a special celebration

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