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Changing Hawaii

By Diane Yukihiro Chang

Monday, June 26, 2000

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A son of Hawaii
makes the band

LIKE many parents and their high school kids, my 15-year-old and I rarely agree on music, movies, reading material and -- of course -- TV shows. To maintain peace in the house, we have two televisions: one usually tuned to news or a documentary, the other blaring some bizarre music video or teen-age nonsense.

But every Friday night, the kiddo and I sit in front of the same set. Together we watch "Making the Band," a voyeuristic chronicling of a new, all-boy singing group known as O-Town, based in Orlando, Fla.

Why the mutual fascination with the ABC series?

One of us likes seeing eight talented hunks living together and competing to become members of the next possible 'N Sync or Backstreet Boys.

The other wants to know why these five-guy groups are so successful, a Jack in the Box commercial parodied their marketing appeal with girls.

The series debuted March 24, with star-maker Lou Pearlman and his cohorts narrowing down 1,800 applicants to 25 semi-finalists, then to the eight finalists we get to know and follow:

Trevor Penick, the best dancer but weakest singer, and certainly the one with the least amount of self-confidence.

Spiky-haired Ashley Angel, who is getting hell from his girlfriend because she's no longer his top priority.

Erik-Michael Estrada, a brooding and temperamental New Yorker.

The mature but much too self-assured Mike Miller.

Petulant Jacob Underwood, a curly-haired blond with a thing for puka-shell necklaces.

Brian Chan, the nice, conscientious peacemaker.

Always-smiling but obviously stressed-out Paul Martin, who quit a few weeks ago without explanation.

And our personal favorite -- Iolani grad Ikaika Kahoano, the 22-year-old son of radio personality and "Hawaii Stars" co-host Kimo Kahoano and Lynette Kahoano.

OK, maybe it's shameless hometown pride, but this mother and daughter agree: Ikaika stands out from the rest.

Not only does he publicly agonize over the promise of fame and money, he also ponders the wisdom of long-term association with guys who can act pretty immature, hedonistic and downright jerky at times.

Will Ikaika quit like Paul or decide to go for it? It was as nerve-wracking as watching "Survivor."

THE suspense culminated when -- after watching the eight finalists live together, fight, whine, party, primp, practice, record their first song and, ultimately, bond as brothers -- the big moment arrived.

Pearlman came to the house to announce the five being picked for O-Town. The rest would watch the remainder of the series from their own living rooms, and chase stardom on their own.

The kiddo and I tensed up, then yelped in unison when Ikaika was called up first, followed by Jacob, Ashley, Erik and Trevor.

Ladies and gentlemen, meet O-Town. O-Town, meet two of your fans in this part of the Pacific, one of whom can't wait to plunk down good allowance money to buy your first album. And maybe, just maybe, her mom might sneak a listen, too.

Story and video on Ikaika Kahoano from Apr. 14

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Diane Yukihiro Chang's column runs Monday and Friday.
She can be reached by phone at 525-8607, via e-mail at
dchang@starbulletin.com, or by fax at 523-7863.