For Mike Love of The Beach Boys, the fun will never set on the surf-oriented music he co-wrote with Brian Wilson and others and still performs here and there — including in Honolulu on Saturday.

"These days, it's more fun to be a Beach Boy than before," he said in a phone interview from Miami, where the celebrated California-sound combo was doing a private show.

The Beach Boys headline a Polynesian Voyaging Society benefit concert at the Waikiki Shell; the evening celebrates the 30th anniversary of voyages by the Hokule'a and a star-studded expedition of local entertainers also will perform.

"It's still fun, fun, fun, though it's a lot nicer now than before," said Love, 65, who has licensed the group's name and continues, with Bruce Johnston replacing key man Wilson, in The Beach Boys saga that now plays to several generations of fans, including original followers now of retirement age.

"When we were first starting out, in the '60s, it was exciting when you heard your songs on the radio, going out and getting screams from the girls. I thought it couldn't get better for young guys," he said. "In those days, before there were roadies, we'd pack, unpack, and drive anywhere from 200 to 500 miles for the next show.

"These days, we're not doing four sets a night. We have a crew that breaks up (the set) and does sound and lights. We stay in great hotels and often travel first class. Sometimes not — but that's what keeps you humble. And we're still having a good time."

Love is a Beach Boys co-founder and cousin of the original band of Wilson brothers — Brian, Carl and Dennis — along with a neighbor Al Jardine.

Since Brian Wilson no longer tours with the band, Love — who co-wrote many of the iconic surf-and-sun hits with Wilson — licensed the group's name from Brother Records, a corporation that includes himself, Brian, Carl Wilson's sons and Jardine.

Despite some bumps on the road and midcareer friction with Brian, Love said The Beach Boys legacy has been on harmonic grounds in recent times.

"I met up with Brian recently at Capitol Records, which gave us double platinum CDs for the 'Sounds of Summer' album, which has shipped more than 2 1/2 million copies," Love said.

"The label also recognized the 40th anniversary of 'Pet Sounds' and 'Good Vibrations,' and at this gathering, cousin Brian said we ought to get together to write music again," said Love. "He had given me a song, to write lyrics; I told him I preferred to start from scratch. Like 'Do It Again,' he said."

Love said Brian Wilson recently wound up a quiet three-week vacation in the Islands.

So what keeps Love going like the Energizer Bunny?

"I guess it's because the group's sound is so universal," he said. "We've had fan letters from Russia, from Hong Kong; the music transcends boundaries and has come to be known as happy times music. The music has survived disco; it's been playable for decades. It's still at the top of the play lists for classics or oldies stations, along with The Beatles and Motown.

"And it's safe ... our original fans are into their 60s now, and their children are bringing their children. We're never vulgar; it's always a family show."

What's in store this weekend?

"People come to your concert by the successes you put out in the past," said Love. "I would be disappointed if I went to a show and didn't hear the songs that were hits.

"We'll do a lot of our hits, from 'Surfin' Safari' on to our largest-single ever, 1988's 'Kokomo.' That truly was a collaboration; I wrote much of it, John Phillips (of the Mamas and the Papas) wrote a verse and Terry Melcher, who produced the song, wrote the part about 'take you down to Kokomo.' It was our last No. 1 hit; and it was a well-placed song with a decent video, since it was in the 'Cocktail' movie soundtrack with Tom Cruise."

Love said he's never contemplated retirement. "I learned a lesson from Bing Crosby, who had a heart attack and died while playing golf in Europe," he said. "The point is, as long as my health is good, and I continue to do what I enjoy, which is making music, I won't consider retirement. The lesson from Bing might be, if you're an older act and traveling, don't go golfing to get birdies and eagles."

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.