Maui award to honor
isle music legends

The distinction will go to longtime|
Hawaii industry stalwarts

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Star-Bulletin staff

A group of Maui music lovers has banded together and is gearing up for the first Ka Leo Hano Award to honor musicians, vocalists and songwriting pioneers statewide in a recorded-music hall of fame.

The inaugural awards ceremony will be held on June 30 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center Theatre and will be televised live statewide.

Ka Leo Hano, coined by Kumu Hokulani Padilla-Holt, means "the respected or honored voice." Its board of directors was formed last October by coordinator Karey Anne K. Oura, who a year ago began doing research on how to organize the event, building on ideas shared by singer/songwriter Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom.

Ballots will be sent to those in the music industry beginning Thursday. They will be asked to submit names of musicians whom they feel deserve to be nominated in the following categories: male vocalist ('Akialoa Award), female vocalist ('Amakihi Award), group/duo vocalist ('Apapane Award) and nonperformer (producer, songwriter, etc.) ('I'iwi Award).

Each nominated individual or group must have had at least 25 years in the music industry since their first recorded album's release and been a Hawaii resident at the time of release. Nonperformers also must have had at least 25 years in the industry and be a Hawaii resident.

One more category will be open to public voting: the Ka Lei Hiwa Award, or the Choice Lei Award, for a favorite recording artist. The ballot will list 12 possible inductees, and the name of the winner will be revealed on the night of the award ceremony. Ballots will be available at music stores.

Along with creating a memorable event, Ka Leo Hano has an even greater mission: "It is creating a sense of social responsibility," says Jerry Kunitomo, who is in charge of the entertainment committee. "This hall of fame ceremony is being constructed on a deeper foundation, one which celebrates Hawaii's magical sense of place, as well as honors the masters who keep the culture alive."

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