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On the Scene
John Berger
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Hawaii Music Awards, Part 1
NO TRACKS NEEDED: Melveen Leed needed no music tracks Wednesday when she took the stage during the Hawaii Music Awards' Nominees Party at the Willows Restaurant. Leed improvised with her usual comic skill and then delivered a beautiful rendition of "Hi'ilawe," complete with hula, with instrumental support from Keoki Kahumoku. Johnny Kai, creator of the Hawaii Music Awards, explained earlier that complaints about the long running time of the awards show had inspired him to hold this year's event over a four-day period. Recipients of his newly created HMA Legacy Awards were honored last night. The traditional Hawaii Music Awards show starts at 3:30 p.m. tomorrow in the Tropics Showroom at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Call 951-6699.
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IS SHE TOO YOUNG?: Sonya Mendez shared a table with record producer/engineer Pierre Grill. Mendez, recipient of the new HMA Legacy Award for Female Vocalist, said she doesn't feel old enough for the honor even though it has been more than 20 years since she headlined the Wave Waikiki.
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INTERNATIONAL ALOHA: Milton Lau, center, made sure that Japanese recording artist Anella, left, and Kaoru Kohnoike, the president of her record label, felt at home. Anella's album, "The Island of Angels," won in the International Hawaiian category.
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DIG THAT GRILL!: Aloha Joe, left, congratulated well-dressed Aziel Toeaina on his impressive new "grill" (dental jewelry). Toeaina has good reason to smile this week. His career-best hip-hop album, "The3LOGY," is the 2006 Hawaii Music Awards winner in the R&B category.
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LED AND MEL: Melveen Leed hugged 2006 HMA winner Ledward Kaapana. Leed was dressed to impress as usual, and sported a new diamond ring with her black pearls.
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COUNTING DOWN: Allison Chu, left, enjoyed the party with her mother, Tina. The talented preteen recording artist is counting the days till her braces come off.
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AND ALOHA FROM KIMO: Kimo Kahoano got the party moving when he stepped forward as emcee. The crowd enjoyed his impressions of Don Ho and Danny Kaleikini, and almost everyone joined in for an a cappella version of "Aloha Friday." Back at the table, he talked with Margaret Kamahele and Mahina Kaai.
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