Hoku Time
Gilliom, Na Palapalai lead the pack
The 30th Annual Na Hoku Hanohano
Awards are right around the corner and the final ballots are in place.
Every year the question arises from the public: "How are the winners
selected?"
Nominees are selected by their peers who are members of the Hawai'i
Academy of Recording Arts: each a professional within the Hawaii music
recording industry. Like the annual Grammy Awards, which are decided
upon by members of the National Academy of Recording Arts, there are
varied opinions on who deserves a Hoku nomination. Agree or disagree-these
are the artists who have made the final ballots.
Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom and Na Palapalai lead the pack with multiple
nominations each.
Grammy-nominated Generation Hawai'i, the latest release by Gilliom,
received five nominations: female vocalist of the year, Hawaiian album
of the year, album of the year, Hawaiian language performance and favorite
entertainer of the year. The song "Napua" (written for her
late grandmother Jenny Napua Wood) earned a song of the year nomination
for songwriter Michael Ruff.
The ever-popular vocal trio Na Palapalai garnered nominations for their
stellar Ka Pua Hae Hawai'i, which included album of the year, Hawaiian
album of the year, Hawaiian language performance and favorite entertainer
of the year. Na Palapalai was also recognized for group of the year,
song of the year for the title track written by group member Kuana Torres
and haku mele for "Ke'ei" by member Kehau Tamure. Local notables:
Hilo High grad Torres was raised in the Pi'ihonua area and Tamure is
also a Hilo girl.
Keali'i Reichel earned seven nominations for his Christmas CD, Maluhia,
while Kaukahi earned six nods for its Life In These Islands disc. Barefoot
Natives, the duo of Willie K and Eric Gilliom, received five nominations
for its debut disc, Barefoot Natives.
Hilo's own super-talented Brittni Paiva was nominated for Instrumental
Album of the Year. Even though she's up against the heavy hitting Jake
Shimabukuro, Keola Beamer, Jeff Peterson and lesser known Greg Sardinha,
I'm putting my chips on Miss Paiva, who's self titled "Brittni"
showed great range and beauty.
One of the most exciting new artists to enter the music scene is Paula
Fuga, who gained some notoriety by performing an original tune while
strumming her 'ukulele on the Hawai'i segment of American Idol a few
years back. Since then, Fuga has debuted a solid CD, Lilikoi, and has
performed (and recorded) with the likes of Jack Johnson. Her voice and
perspective is young and fresh, lending a compelling, thoughtful twist
on the Hawaiian Reggae genre. Fuga is nominated for Female Vocalist
of The Year and Most Promising Artist of The Year.
Two new categories were added to balloting this year-R&B/hip-hop
album of the year and music video DVD of the year-for a total of 24
Hoku categories.
Lifetime achievement awards at the ceremony will honor Gabe Baltazar,
Rene Paulo, Society of Seven, the Surfers and the late Loyal Garner.
The gala event will be held June 20 at the Hawai'i Convention Center
in Honolulu. Call the Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts 808/593-9424)
for tickets.
Vote for favorite entertainer of the year. Let your voice be heard!
Cast your vote for Nathan Aweau, The Barefoot Natives (Willie K. and
Eric Gilliom), Brother Noland, The Brothers Cazimero, Amy Hanaiali'i,
Ledward Ka'apana, Na Palapalai, Pali, Keali'i Reichel or Jake Shimabukuro
at Borders Books and Music Stores statewide.
Skylark
No one knows more about Hawaiian music than Hilo's own Skylark Rossetti.
Classy and akamai, Rosetti has left an indelible mark upon the Hawai'i
music scene. As a co-creator (with Krash Kealoha) of the Na Hoku Hanohano
Awards, she retains her seat on the board of directors. She lovingly
continues to perpetuate the Hawaiian classics while also encouraging
the industry to grow and change. She produces the annual Queen Liliuokalani
Music Conference statewide, which addresses relevant issues in the Hawai'i
music industry and brings together the leaders and newcomers to the
scene.
One of the most popular radio personalities in the islands, Skylark
is on the air from 10 a.m, to 3 p.m. Her show on KAPA radio (100.3 FM)
includes "Mo'olelo" segments (sharing stories of Hawaiian
music's past and its people) and the "Kanaka Hour" filled
with 50 minutes of traditional music with only Hawaiian lyrics.
'Ukulele and Slack Key at the Nashville Symphony
'Ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro, Slack Key guitarist Jeff Peterson
and guitar instrumentalist trio Kohala will be the featured guests at
the Nashville Symphony's World Music Series, a much anticipated part
of the annual program. The World Music Series, a yearly three day concert
event presented without orchestration, will take place on Thursday,
June 7 at 7:30 pm in the Laura Turner Concert Hall.
Known for lightning-fast fingers and daring improvisation, Jake Shimabukuro
is a 'ukulele master who shatters musical boundaries. The 28-year-old
virtuoso performs previously unheard feats on his four-string instrument.
Jake has great respect for traditional Hawaiian 'ukulele music, but
he considers it his calling to demonstrate that the instrument is capable
of so much more.
Maui-born slack key guitarist Jeff Peterson, (who played on the first
Hawaiian Music Grammy winner) has a personal family history that dates
back to the paniolo time. Big Island slack key trio Kohaloa (Charles
Michael Brotman, Charlie Recaido and Rupert Tripp) will present an acoustic
blend of island jazz, slack key and Hawaiian sounds.
Filling out the performance will be hula dancer Adele Kahealani Tripp
of Volcano and chanter Keolawai Richards.
Aunty Genoa
While in Honolulu, I stopped in to see Aunty Genoa Keawe and friends
at the Moana Terrace at the Waikiki Marriot Hotel. The lounge overlooks
Waikiki Beach and busy Kalakaua Avenue and was filled to the brim with
a rousing mix of locals and malihini. Bedecked with lei, Aunty Genoa
was holding court with her granddaughter on 'ukulele, an unnamed gentleman
on upright bass and Alan Akaka on steel guitar, while her son (and manager)
Eric played host. The hula aunties were in full force with beautiful
mu'umu'u and lei, gardenias and orchids pinned in their hair. A woman
who just that day had learned hula classic "Papalina Lahilahi"
was coaxed up on stage to join her hula teacher. A wonderful singer
from Kauai got the crowd going and Aunty Genoa brought down the house.
Hana hou, hana hou…
Aloha a hui hou as the beat goes on…
Reach Desiree at islandbeat@hawaiiislandjournal.com.
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