Na Hoku adds jazz,
rock categories

By John Berger
Special to Star-Bulletin

Two new categories -- Jazz and Rock -- are the big news this year as the Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts prepares for the 21st Annual Na Hoku Hanohano Awards ceremonies in May. Recordings by local jazz and rock artists have been ignored by the HARA membership in years past even in the Contemporary and Instrumental categories. The addition of separate categories finally gives Hawaii's many jazz and rock artists their due.

Elsewhere on the ballot it's music business as usual. Perennial HARA favorites Na Leo Pilimehana and Keali'i Reichel top the list. Na Leo has six for "Colours," including a Song of the Year nomination for "Rest Of Your Life,." Reichel has five for "E O Mai," including a Song of the Year nomination for the title track.

Other artists with multiple nominations include Fiji (5), Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom (4), Robi Kahakalau (3), Sean Na'auao (4), and first-timer O'Brian Eselu (4).

The unusually large field of seven finalists for Group of the Year reflects the current diversity within Hawaiian music. The extremes are represented by 'Elua Kane (traditional hapa-haole) to Sudden Rush (Hawaiian rap). The Brothers Cazimero, Hapa, Makaha Sons, Na Leo Pilimehana and the Valley Boys represent intermediate points on the spectrum.

The Makaha Sons may have a first in Hoku history by having two albums of new recordings on the ballot: "Christmas Day In Hawai'i Nei" and "Makaha Sons Live On The Road."

Winners of the HARA Lifetime Achievement Award and two adjudicated Hawaiian language awards will be announced during the awards program May 17-18 at the Sheraton Waikiki. Tickets are $95 per person. Call 235-9424.

The final ballot includes:

Female Vocalist

Teresa Bright, Quiet Nights
Rocky Brown, In Character
Amy Gilliom, Hawaiian Tradition
Robi Kahakalau, Keiki O Ka 'Aina
Ku'uipo Kumukahi, Na Leo Kama'Aina O Ku'u Ho'oheno

Male Vocalist

Danny Couch, Almost Paradise
O'Brian Eselu, Ke Kumu
Fiji, Born and Raised
Sean Na'auao, Fish & Poi
Keali'i Reichel, E O Mai

Group

Brothers Cazimero, 20 Years of Hoku Award Winning Songs
'Elua Kane, Ukulele Boy
Hapa, In the Name of Love
Makaha Sons, Christmas Day in Hawai'i Nei
Na Leo Pilimehana, Colours
Sudden Rush, Ku'e
Valley Boys, Valley Boys

Most Promising Artist(s)

Baba B, Big Boy in Love
Chant, from single "Something to Give"/"Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow"
Keao Costa, Whee-Ha!
O'Brian Eselu, Ke Kumu
Valley Boys, Valley Boys

Anthology

Hawaiian Legends Series Vol. 3--Hawaiian Song Bird--Lena Machado, Lena Machado, Harry B. Soria Jr., Producer
Island of Dreams, various artists, John Kahale Chang, Producer
The Kapena Collection--Vol. II, Kapena, Kelly DeLima, Phil Galaura, Pierre Grill, Ken Thompson, Dave Tucciarone and leolani DeLima, Producers
Na Mele Henoheno, Ho'opi'i Brothers, Keith Haugen, Producer
Shower of Hits II, Willie K, Willie K and Pierre Grill, Producers

Hawaiian Album

E O Mai, Keali'i Reichel
From Deep Within ... Mai Ka Na'au Kuhohonu, John Kaimikaua
Hawaiian Tradition, Amy Gilliom
Ho'opomaika'i, Gary Halemau
Na Leo Kama'aina O Ku'u 'Aina Ho'oheno, Ku'uipo Kumukahi )

Island Contemporary Album

Fish & Poi, Sean Na'auao
Ke Kumu, O'Brian Eselu
Keiki O Ka 'Aina, Robi Kahakalau
Makaha Sons Live on the Road, Makaha Sons
20 Years of Hoku Award Winning Songs, Brothers Cazimero

Contemporary Album

Almost Paradise, Danny Couch
Born and Raised, Fiji
Colours, Na Leo Pilimehana
E Ho'i Mai, Jon, Randy and Steve
Walking in the Light, Ben Vegas

Instrumental

Hawaiian Sunset Music-Vol. I, Raymond Kane Band
Ka Hanauna Hou, Herb Ohta Jr.
Kikakila Meets Ki'ho'alu, Bob Brozman & Ledward Ka'apana
Mauna Kea: White Mountain Journal, Keola Beamer
Surf Madness, Hapa

Comedy Album

Adventures of Leimomi, Frank B. Shaner
Da Krank, Da Krank
Ethnicology 101, Frank De Lima
Hawaii's Comedy Stars, various artists
Hawaii's Most Wanted, Bu La'ia )
Living in Parodies, The Muu Muus & the Pupus

Religious Album

Aloha Kekahi I Kekahi, Kekapa Lee
Circle of Friends, Ken Makuakane
Faith, Hope & Love, Teddy and Nanci Tanaka
Lei of Dreams, various artists
Revelations, Malani Bilyeu

Rock Album

Breaking the Chains, Marco Rosas & the Rose of Sharon Band

Breaking the Curse, Tweaked
Hawai'i Hempfest '96, various artists
1%, Tone Deaf Teens
This Ain't No F*#@!N Luau, various artists

Jazz Album

The Forbidden Sounds of Don Tiki, Don Tiki
Gabe, Gabe Baltazar Quartet
Live! at the Blue Dolphin, The Olliephonics Horns
Live at the Contemporary Cafe, Shoji Ledward
Miss You, Mr. Mercer, Shari Lynn

Single

"Don't Blame the Youth," Sudden Rush
"Juliet," Sunland
"Something to Give"/"Will You Still Love me Tomorrow," Chant
"Ten Feet Away," Kolea
"Ukulele Boy," 'Elua Kane

Song

"E O Mai" by Keali'i Reichel from E O Mai, Keali'i Reichel
"Fish & Poi" by Sean Na'auao and Charmaine Ocasek from Fish & Poi, Sean Na'auao
"Hale Alii O Waimaka" by Amy Gilliom and Willie K from Hawaiian Tradition, Amy Gilliom
"Hanaiali'i Nui La Ea" by Amy Gilliom and Willie K from Hawaiian Tradition, Amy Gilliom
"Rest of Your Life" by Lehua Kalima from Colours, Na Leo Pilimehana

Album

Born and Raised, Fiji
Colours, Na Leo Pilimehana
E O Mai, Keali'i Reichel
Fish & Poi, Sean Na'auao
Hawaiian Tradition, Amy Gilliom