Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 18, Number 5, 1 May 2001 — Nā Hōku Hanohano guides 24 years of island music [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Nā Hōku Hanohano guides 24 years of island music

By Manu Boyd Who would've thought, in 1987, that two dozen vpars latpr Hawai'i'e /

equivalent to the Grammy's would consider scores of loeal recordings and hundreds of new compositions? Nā Hōkū Hanohano, "the stars of distinction," is the centerpieee of the Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts, the association of music

Yamamoto, Alan Yoshioka, Flip McDiarmid, Gaylord Holomalia, Mike Kelly,

industry professionals and ^ ~ affiliates who select and award stand-out songs, albums and artists. Members of the board are Alan

Skylark Rossetti, Brickwood Galuteria, Jim Linkner and Hailama Farden. From record producer to Hawaiian language specialist, the group represents manv facets of the record-

ing industry, and are elected by the 620-member academy. "Those who vote in the academy are regular members (recording artists) and associate members (affiliates of the industry). In addi-

tion to the Nā Hōkū Awards, the academy presents workshops to L its members, and provides 111, music scholarships," said

fgjg^"r' Bonnie Ryder, HARA office manager. "Two years ago, we had the largest preliminary ballot, but this year's is pretty close. There

was a great deal of music recorded in the past year," she said.

The honed-down fmal baIlot that members will consider represents an amazing array of styles, with newer categories in reggae, jazz and rock albums. Established categories of male and female vocalists, group of the year and most promising artist list an impressive cast of performers, some who've performed for years and others who are first-timers. Perhaps the hottest category, Album of the Year, has as contenders Robi Kahakalau ("All I Want"), Sean Na'auao (" Neutralize It"), Nā Leo ("A Pocket Full of Paradise") and newcomers 'Ale'a (" Take Me Home") - who garnered the most nominations with six - and Maunalua (" Maunalua "). These acts will likely be among live performers at the gala, although the program is still being developed. Lifetime achievement honors will be bestowed on three outstanding female recording artists. See HŌKŪ AWARDS on page 13

Hanana Ki'iikawā

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HŌKŪ AWARDS from page 8 Leinā'ala Haili (seen from time-to-time at Maunalua gigs) will share the distinction with Myra "The Champagne Lady" English and long-time Genoa Keawe bassist, Violet Pahu Liliko'i. English and Liliko'i, both recently deceased, will be honored posthumously, and are remembered for their zest for entertaining and recording. The formal evening event (black tie optional) will be held Tues., May 29, at the Sheraton Waikīkī Hotel's Hawai'i Ballroom. Cocktails at 4:30, dinner and technieal awards at 6 o'eloek, with the awards ceremony and live broadcast following. Tickets are $95, and may be reserved by calling the Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts at 235-9424. ■