In 1997 award winning film director Lothar Spree and his crew accompanied Ikaia-Purdy on a brief concert and symphony tour of the Hawaiian Islands. In conversation with the author of these notes he shared his impressions. Briefly summarized: Before the tour, aside from being greatly impressed with the tenor's singing and acting skills, he had found the tenor, personally, to be an unusually good natured fellow, obviously well-respected by his colleagues, and seemingly one who enjoyed having a good time, but lacking any of the "hard edged ambition" that one might have expected." And why did Spree load up his company and equipment to travel fourteen hours to Hawaii - the earth's most remote island chain? Because

repeatedly in interviews, when Spree asked who the tenor enjoyed listening to, and to what types of music he was devoted, the answers came back somewhat confusingly for the European.

Naturally, Ikaia-Purdy is a great fan of opera - "Sutherland, Callas, Scotto, Bergonzi, Pertile, the Three (- of course! Why does that always come as a surprise?), and again Bergonzi." His collection of records, CDs and 78s is legendary among colleagues, numbering in the tens of thousands. "Tradition is sooo important. And, those early recordings have so much to offer us, technically, stylistically and, many were personally prepared by the composers. It would be idiotic not to listen very closely. VERY closely!"

But, beyond that, he "loves slack key guitar especially George Kuo and Dennis Kamekahi, as well as Hawaiian Stars Emma, the Kahauano Lake Trio, Marlene Sai, the Brothers CAZ, Israel " - a great voice, sadly he died so young," his cousin Palani Vaughn, and "of course Keali'i Reichel." Naturally, these names were unknown to the German director. Furthermore, questions put to the tenor regarding the unusually mellow, dark-colored timbre of his voice were met with answers such as "you want to know what I sound like? Listen to my high school choir, because I have a pretty typical Hawaiian voice, and at home everyone sings."