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Special to the Star-Bulletin
Pop singer Hoku Ho, daughter of Don Ho who's making
it nationally on her own, is back home at Ehukai Beach
Park filming an MTV video.

Whirlwind
brings Hoku Ho
back home

The daughter of Hawaii
legend Don Ho is making
her own mark nationally

By Tim Ryan
Star-Bulletin

HOKU Ho is standing on a sandy berm at Ehukai Beach Park clutching a longboard, contemplating -- not the MTV video she's filming, but whether her ascending career is about to come to a halt as a film crew waits for the singer to punch through some unseasonably rough surf.

"OK, I don't want to be a pop star anymore," she yells to director Greg Dark. "I want to go home; I know it's going to hurt getting out there."

Eventually, Ho scampers down the steep beach and into swirling white water, accompanied by a lifeguard and a couple of videographers.

Special to the Star-Bulletin
Ho clowns around, watched by director Greg Dark.

Ho, 18, daughter of Don Ho, spent two days on the North Shore this week filming her second MTV music video this year, lip-synching "How Do I Feel (The Burrito Song)" from her just-released album "Hoku." The Star-Bulletin caught up with Hoku during a break in filming.

Question: How does the filming of this video compare to the first one you did in L.A.?

Answer: Everything was so new before. I didn't know how to do stuff like act in front of the camera, or not feel odd having everyone watch me. Now I can jump straight into it. You have to learn how to be really unashamed in public doing all kinds of things.

Q: A lot has happened to you quickly?

A: Definitely, and it's really hard work. I'm learning as an artist to do things that really are foreign and unnatural, like being calm and composed in front of millions of people; how to dance and sing at the same time. All the traveling and constant performing is hard. It's bizarre to be in so many places so quickly. But it's so much fun because once I get on stage, wow, I do what I love -- performing.

“Are you kidding? Definitely Dad; he’s Don Ho!”

Q: What's your career goal?

A: I don't know. A year ago I moved to San Diego to attend college studying business, maybe being a teacher. Then everything started going and going in this other direction. Then I wasn't in school anymore, I was living in L.A., I was touring the country, I was making a music video, I was on MTV. It feels like five years has gone by in three months.

Q: So who's in control?

A: I'm never in control, but it's a crazy wild ride and you have to hang on and go with it.

Q: Why did you want to do the video in Hawaii?

A: I was adamant about it even though it's expensive compared to L.A. I felt it was important that people here know I haven't forgotten them. This will always be my home.

Q: Boyfriend?

A: I am with someone. He used to play guitar, but with me he sorta stays in the background. He's from California.

Q: What was the first thing you bought after signing a recording contract?

A: A Nintendo 64. I splurged. I play it all the time. I'm a couch potato.

Q: If you appear in concert with your dad, who gets top billing?

A: Are you kidding? Definitely Dad; he's Don Ho!