2005 Na Hoku Hanohano
Awards

A BIG NIGHT FOR THE KAMAKAHI OHANA: Dennis Kamakahi, left, his wife, Robin, and son, David, wore stylish "basic black" last Friday when the Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts presented the 2005 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom. David described his parents as "my two best influences" after he won "Contemporary Album of the Year." Dennis won his first Hoku Award in 1980 for composing "E Hihiwai" for the Sons of Hawaii. He was this year's recipient of the Ki Ho'alu Award for his contributions to the perpetuation of slack key. Dennis's commitment to black includes those carefully tended black-painted fingernails.

FABULOUS HOKU FASHIONS: Christina Denny and kumu hula Kawaikapuokalani Hewett looked marvelous as they chatted during the pre-show reception. Hewett received a well-deserved Hoku for the annotation of his 2004 album "Ulu Kau"; he won his first Hoku in 1981. Denny's father, the late Martin Denny, received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 1990.

MEETING MILAN: HARA Board member Gaylord Holomalia, second from left, introduced his children, Kanoe and Shane, to veteran recording studio engineer Milan Bertosa.

CATCHING UP: Kainani Kahaunaele and Kaumaka'iwa, Hoku-winners in 2004, found each other during the post-show jam session outside the ball room.

SHOWING SUPPORT: Slack-key master Ledward Kaapana wasn't up for any awards -- he's won several since Hui Ohana broke up in the '80s -- but went anyway to party with his wife and friends.

A NEW HIGH-FASHION SKYLARK: HARA Board member Jacqueline "Skylark" Rossetti, left, welcomed Hula Records President Don McDiarmid Jr., and his wife, Alva to the reception. Skylark, an institution in Hawaiian radio since the '70s, has slimmed down and made herself over so completely that some people didn't recognize her.

SHE'LL BE BACK: Allison Chu, right, went to the show with her mother, Tina Chu. Allison, 11, already a recording studio veteran, hopes to record a Hoku Award-winning album before long.

HE'S DUE: Aaron Sala talked with Kehau Tamure before Na Palapalai won "Ha-waiian Album" and "Group of the Year" honors. Sala played piano for the post-show party. He'll certainly be a Hoku contender when he has time to record.