Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 34, Number 6, 1 June 2017 — NĀ HŌKŪ HANOHANO AWARDS: ʻŌlelo spoken here [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

NĀ HŌKŪ HANOHANO AWARDS: ʻŌlelo spoken here

By Lynn Cook Qtar-status entertainers, loeal folk and visitors from Japan and other music-loving des-

1 tinations *-n packed the Hawai'i Convention Center May 20 for the 40th annual Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards. Not there to socialize, they stayed in their seats, paying close attention to the muhiple award announeements and remembering that some of the nominees were already Grammy

Award winners. The exception eame during the late-in-show performances from combined hip-hop, jazz, reggae and rock artists that brought the audienee to its feet, dancing - another first for the Hōkū's. The big news of the night was the presentation of a record total of

nine awards for a debut alhum from Keauhou, three loeal boys who were inspired to honor their heritage and their kumu with traditional music in the official language of Hawai'i.

Like many of the honorees of the evening, they gave their mahalo in 'ōlelo Hawaii, followed by an English version for those still learning. There was a bit of fun eonversation from the podium from longtime hosts Kimo Kahoano, Brickwood Galuteria and Skylark Rossetti about the "old days" when the

event was held at the Blaisdell Concert Hall. The three were radio personalities then and the event had only 14 award categories. This year the awards numbered over 30. View the full list of winners at https://goo.gl/uLeMfK. ■

y NĀHANANA > EVENTS

(L-R) Jonah Kahanuola, Zachary Alaka'i Lum and Solatorio Nicholas Keali'i Lum, of Keauhou won nine Nō Hōkū Hanohano awards for their self-titled debut alhum.

Kalani Pe'a wins Contemporary Alhum of the Year at this year's Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards. - Photos : Courtesy HARA