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NA HOKU HANOHANO AWARDS
Willie K best
‘female vocalist’?
Rule change put the
Winner's list By John Berger
musician in category
with partner Amy Hanaiali'i
Special to the Star-BulletinWillie K made history and he wasn't even present as the Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts presented the 23rd Annual Na Hoku Hanohano Awards at the Sheraton Waikiki last night.
A strange change in the rules this year allowed his duo, Amy Hanaiali'i and Willie K, to compete as a "female vocalist" rather than as a duo or group, and so "Nostalgia," the second album officially credited to Amy Hanaiali'i and Willie K, won in the "Female Vocalist" category. That makes Willie K the first male in the history of the Hokus whose duo or group is a "Female Vocalist of the Year" winner.
This time last year HARA considered Amy and Willie to be a "duo or group" -- not a female artist. "Hanaiali'i," the first album they released as Amy Hanaiali'i and Willie K, won "Group of the Year" honors last May.No rules tweaking tainted last night's multiple wins by perennial HARA favorites Keali'i Reichel and Na Leo. Reichel and his production team won six Hokus -- including Male Vocalist, Favorite Entertainer and Album of the
Year -- for "Melelana." Na Leo and producer Ken Makuakane won four including Group of the Year.
"Ho'okena 5" received two adjudicated awards for usage of the Hawaiian language. Pure Heart's "Pure Heart 2" was the only other multiple winner.
-- Most significant comment? Jake Shimabukuro referring to Pure Heart as a memory. He and Lopaka Colon accepted a Hoku for "Pure Heart 2" with no sign of Jon Yamasato and they are apparently planning to retire the name and move on.-- Na Leo epitomized professionalism and class with each trip to the podium. One would speak for all three; their comments were concise each time. Credit for the shortest speech of all though goes to Kawai Makuakane who accepted a Hoku on behalf of his father, Ken, with two words )) "Thank you."
-- Hot Performers: The crowd erupted when Weldon Kekauoha, this year's Most Promising Artist, launched into "Hawaiian Man." Kapena didn't win "Religious Album" but rocked the house and gave the show a much needed jolt of high-energy music with "Jesus Got A Hold Of My Life/I Came to Praise the Lord." The group performed with Kelly's son, Kapena De Lima, on keyboards. The kid can jam!"Generations" was the nominal theme and many presenters had their kids with them: Nohelani Cypriano and Kalani Graue. Kawai and Ha'ahea Cockett, Melveen Leed and Ka'aikaula Naluai. Karen Keawehawai'i and Tracie Farias Lopes. Kimo Kahoano and his three sons.
Moe and Nalani Keale were a smooth father-and-son team. Don Ho let daughter Hoku do most of the talking as they presented Kui Lee's lifetime achievement award to his widow, Nani Lee Meadows, and her three daughters.
Frank De Lima maintained his tradition of appearing in costume; "Portagee Godzilla" was his apt description of this year's creation. Island Rhythms 98.5's Augie T wore dreadlocks and had two bodyguards as he announced the winner in the "Comedy Album" category -- De Lima won for the 10th time.
The set and lighting was as beautiful as any in the history of the Hokus but the show seemed longer and slower than usual. The audience had thinned by 10 and continued to shrink. Many who stuck it out seemed as weary Linkner did when he spoke on behalf of Punahele after Reichel's sixth win.Changes in the HARA show are long overdue. First, it is unconscionable to deem 25 percent of the awards too insignificant to present during the live broadcast. The scholarships are a core program in HARA's mission statement. Second, 10 performance segments in the show is too many. So are three lifetime achievement awards. Trim 90 seconds off each number and every award could have the live television coverage they deserve.
No rules tweaking tainted last night's multiple wins by perennial HARA favorites Keali'i Reichel and Na Leo. Reichel and his production team won six Hokus -- including Male Vocalist, Favorite Entertainer and Album of the Year -- for "Melelana." Na Leo and producer Ken Makuakane won four including Group of the Year."Ho'okena 5" received two adjudicated awards for usage of the Hawaiian language. Pure Heart's "Pure Heart 2" was the only other multiple winner.
"Generations" was the nominal theme and many presenters had their kids with them: Nohelani Cypriano and Kalani Graue. Kawai and Ha'ahea Cockett, Melveen Leed and Ka'aikaula Naluai. Karen Keawehawai'i and Tracie Farias Lopes. Kimo Kahoano and his three sons.Most significant comment? Jake Shimabukuro referring to Pure Heart as a memory. He and Lopaka Colon accepted a Hoku for "Pure Heart 2" with no sign of Jon Yamasato and they are apparently planning to retire the name and move on.
Moe and Nalani Keale were a smooth father-and-son team. Don Ho let daughter Hoku do most of the talking as they presented Kui Lee's lifetime achievement award to his widow, Nani Lee Meadows, and her three daughters.
Frank De Lima maintained his tradition of appearing in costume; "Portagee Godzilla" was his apt description of this year's creation. Island Rhythms 98.5's Augie T wore dreadlocks and had two bodyguards as he announced the winner in the "Comedy Album" category -- De Lima won for the 10th time.
The set and lighting was as beautiful as any in the history of the Hokus but the show seemed longer and slower than usual. The audience had thinned by 10 and continued to shrink. Many who stuck it out seemed as weary Jim Linkner did when he spoke on behalf of Punahele after Reichel's sixth win.Changes in the HARA show are long overdue. First, it is unconscionable to deem 25 percent of the awards too insignificant to present during the live broadcast. The scholarships, especially, are a core program in HARA's mission statement.
Second, 10 performance segments in the show is too many. So are three lifetime achievement awards. Trim 90 seconds off each number and every award could have the live television coverage they deserve.
The winners
Amy Hanai'ali'i, Nostalgia (Mountain Apple)
Keali'i Reichel, "Melelana" (Punahele)
Na Leo, "I Miss You, My Hawai'i" (Na Leo Pilimehana)
Weldon Kekauoha, "Hawaiian Man" (A Guava Ding Thing)
"Na Leo," Na Leo (Na Leo Pilimehana), Na Leo Pilimehana and Kenneth Makuakane, producers
"Na Kumu Hula: Songs From the Source -- Vol. II," various artists (State Council on Hawaiian Heritage) R-M. Keahi Allen, producer
"Melelana," Keali'i Reichel (Punahele)
"I Miss You, My Hawai'i," Na Leo (Na Leo Pilimehana)
"Pure Heart 2," Pure Heart (Four Strings)
"Four Hands Hot & Sweet," Cyril Pahinui & Bob Brozman (Dancing Cat)
"Live at the Captain's Table," Frank De Lima (Pocholinga)
"Willie Kalikimaka," Willie K (Mountain Apple)
"Hymns of Hawaii," George Kahumoku Jr. & Daniel Ho (Aire Music)
"American Soul," Dave Brier (Big Pineapple)
"In a Positive Vibrations," Typical Hawaiians (Dinosaur Mountain)
"Hula Joe & The Hutjumpers," Hula Joe & The Hutjumpers (Black & Tan)
"These Islands," Danny Couch (Danny Couch)
"I Miss You, My Hawai'i," by Kenneth Makuakane from "I Miss You, My Hawai'i," Na Leo (Na Leo Pilimehana)
"Melelana," Keali'i Reichel (Punahele), Keali'i Reichel, Fred Krauss, and Jim Linkner, producers
Preston Terada for "Pure Heart 2," Pure Heart (Four Strings)
Jin Linkner for "Melelana," Keali'i Reichel (Punahele)
Keali'i Reichel and Puakea Nogelmeier for "Melelana," Keali'i Reichel (Punahele)
"'Opi'opi'o," by Ida Pakulani Long from "Three Generation -- 'Ekolu Hanauna Nei," 'Ikaika Brown & Three Generations (Pepeiao)"Pua A'ali'i," by Lee Ann Anuenue Punua from "Ho'okena 5," Ho'okena (Ho'omau)
Ho'okena for "Ho'okena 5" (Ho'omau)Keali'i Reichel for "Melelana," Keali'i Reichel (Punahele)
George Wintson
George Chun, Richard Kauhi and Kui Lee
Sean Naleimaile and Jarret Souza
Keali'i Reichel
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