Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 33, Number 5, 1 May 2016 — Awards Season Kicks Off with Lifetime Achievement Awards [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Awards Season Kicks Off with Lifetime Achievement Awards

By Lynn Cook One oft-repeated and indisputable fact about Hawai'i is that among the fifty states, it is the only one with its own official language, dance and music. Some may object, pointing to country and westem music, but they quickly realize that while many places have regional music, language and dance, Hawai'i is unique. The commentary above is prompted by one of the wonders of our islands, Mele Mei, whieh was onee a single award event but now stretches from April through June in three locations: the Hawaiian islands, Califomia and Japan. Amazing fact number-two: nearly every event is created, run and staffed by volunteers. Pali Ka'aihue is now in his third term as president of the Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts and producer of the Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards event, but nine years ago he was a volunteer himself. He says enthusiasm powers his commitment and it is contagious. Board member Cindy Lanee agrees, noting that she also started as a volunteer and now that she's on the board she recruits them. Describing what she learned as a judge, Lanee says, "unlike Grammy nominees with teams of professionals to do everything, many of our

entrants have done it all, producing the copy, photography and paekaging, then making the music and stocking a shelf where and when the CD sells out." Judges for liner notes and graphics eaeh have a list of different criteria on whieh they base their vote. The suggestions include details that seem obvious, such as no type over intricate photographs, or even more, no white type reversed out of

a photo with a drop shadow added. They eall for clarity: When words are stacked, letter-by-letter, the eye is confused, so beauty comes second, clarity first. They expect translations for notes in the Hawaiian language and want to know what personal significance the song has to the writer and the musicians. First up on the list of Hawai'i events was the Annual Lifetime Achievement Award, held April 29 at the Ala Moana Hotel in Honolulu. Begun in 1979 as the Sydney Grayson Award, the 2016 the Lifetime Awards were presented to Jon de Mello, founder of the Mountain Apple Company; loeal vocal coaches Neva Rego and Betty Grierson; guitar player Hiram 01sen; Roy Sakuma, founder of the Ukulele Festival and entertainer Elaine Ako Spencer. A new category, HARA's Lifetime Achievement Legacy Recognition Award, honored music greats who left an amazing mark on Hawaiian music. The first honorees include Hawai'i's grandfather of percussion

Augie Colon, falsetto legend Joe Keawe and the "Hula Cop" Sterling Mossman. The big night for all the nominated musicians is May 29 at the Hawai'i Convention Center ballroom. The crowd usually tops a thousand fans and nominees and is the who's who of Hawaiian music. For those who can't be part of the audience, KFVE the Home Team televises live, then archives the event on the web for three weeks. John Fink, KFVE general manager and producer of the world-renowned Merrie Monarch television coverage, says "our dream is to build the audience to the 120 countries watching Merrie Monarch." Many events are free, stretching across Waiklkl and the Neighbor Islands. The website, www. nahokuhanohano.org has times, dates, ticket costs and details of very event. ■

Lynn Cook i.s a loeal freelance journalist sharing the arts and culture ofHawai'i with a glohal auāienee.

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At lop, The 201 5 finale included a performanee of "Hawai'i Aloha."

At left, Richard Ho'opi'i was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 201 5. - Photos: Courtesyofthe Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts