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Over the years, there are
just too many people
to thank

ONCE IN A LIFETIME: Melveen Leed was so excited to be one of seven recipients of a Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts on Sunday that she forgot to include her usual plug for long-time friend Audrey Fu of Villa Roma, who provides her eye-catching wardrobe. Leed told the crowd to tell those who missed the event to "suck wind," and said young musicians who play Jawaiian music should "remember your (Hawaiian) culture." Jay Larrin introduced Leed and got a big laugh with a story about how he got in big trouble when he sprung one of her jokes on his relatives in Tennessee ... Ainsley Halemanu set an excellent example by keeping his comments about Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Bill Ali'iloa Lincoln concise and to the point. It isn't necessary to mention every venue an honoree ever played and name every musician they ever worked with ... The HARA Board of Governors' decision to give an award for "lifetime achievement" to Hui Ohana set a problematic precedent. It was the third time HARA honored a group for its "lifetime achievement" but many of the achievements that were mentioned were things that Ledward Kaapana, Nedward Kaapana and Dennis Pavao did after the group broke up. Seven individuals were honored for lifetime achievements this year. That's an all-time high. On the other hand, if HARA wants to honor the "lifetime achievement" of groups, then Sunday Manoa, Sons of Hawaii, the Peter Moon Band, the Brothers Cazimero, the Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau/Makaha Sons, Don Ho & The Aliis, the Surfers, Puamana, Cecilio & Kapono, the Kahauanu Lake Trio, and Kalapana are all overdue ...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: To Malia Gibson, who is celebrating tomorrow ... also to Barry Flanagan and Ola Souza (Saturday), Robert Cazimero (Sunday), Horace Dudoit III (Monday), and Jerome Grey (Wednesday) ...

"P" IS FOR PASSION: Philana Bouvier and Lulu Lackey celebrate "The Passion of Pinot Noir & the Elegance of Lace" with wine tasting and a lingerie fashion show at Formaggio on Monday. Marcus Allen was at their last party. No telling who may come this time. Call 739-9463 ...

HERE, KITTY: Melina Lillios, musical director of ACT's production of "Miss Saigon," gave the cast of Manoa Valley Theatre's hot revival of "Cabaret" Kit Kat candy bars opening night. Why? Because the action in "Cabaret" takes place in the Kit Kat Klub ...