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On the Scene John Berger |
2003 HOKUS, HANA HOU!
ISLAND MUSIC MEN: Hoku competition didn't dilute the camaraderie as Karl Zinsman, left, and Kahi Fernandez, of Three Plus, partied with Jahson, Fiji, O-Shen, Chief Ragga and J.D., of B.E.T., at the 26th annual Na Hoku Hanohano Awards at the Sheraton-Waikiki on Wednesday. Three Plus beat O-Shen, the Chief and B.E.T. in the Reggae Album category, but the party continued. O-Shen, who wore modern Melanesian attire, and Fiji are prior winners; B.E.T. and the Chief are overdue.
WINNERS BACKSTAGE: Nathan Aweau, left, had already won the Hoku Award for Song of the Year by the time he and Buddy Fo rehearsed backstage for a performance in the final hour of the live telecast. Aweau learned later that he'd won the Male Vocalist of the Year award as well. Fo received a HARA Lifetime Achievement Award in March.
YOUNG STARS: Hoku winners Jake Shimabukuro and Raiatea Helm compared notes during the show. Shimabukuro's two wins were his first as a solo artist; he'd previously won as a member of Pure Heart and Colón. Helm's two wins capped a great year for the young Hawaiian falsetto singer.
See the Columnists section for some past articles.
John Berger has covered the local
entertainment scene since 1972. Contact
him at jberger@starbulletin.com.
