I hardly used to listen to Hawaiian music. Simply because it was something I heard from "small kid time".
When Gabby's first album hit the airwaves, I started to listen and not just hear the music. Till then it was rock and roll only. Listening to Gabby and the many Hawaiian group he "helped" get started, I began to really listen to other types of music....and appreciate where it was coming from.
My father told me stories about Gabby coming to Pio Kawalu's home here in Waialua and dad would be mesmerized by these two musicians. 
Great honor for a very humble man.