Karaoke Contest Finals

Mayor Mufi Hannemann and City Customer Services Director Jeff Coelho shared emcee duties Tuesday when Walter Omori presented the Hawaii State National Talent Quest Karaoke Contest Finals at the Japanese Cultural Center. The event brought together the winners of nine local qualifying contests to select a man and woman to represent Hawaii in the national finals in September.

Alex Aurio, Amado Cacho and Eldon Delos Santos led the men after the first round, but because of a tie for third place on the female side, Kea Davis-Milo and Marlene Nitullama both joined Janel Akana and Valerie Hanaoka as finalists.

Cacho's second-round rendition of "This Is the Moment" made him the winning man. Hanaoka placed second to Akana, but she will also be going to the nationals because she sold the most tickets to the Hawaii finals.

Mayor Mufi Hannemann, center, talked backstage with finalists Alex Aurio, left, Kea Davis-Milo, Eldon Delos Santos, Janel Akana, Marlene Nitullama, Valerie Hanaoka and Amado Cacho while Jeff Coelho, background, entertained the crowd.

Jayson Lam, standing right, was cheered on by Macky Meager, left front, Guy Blackiston and Victoria Ching.

Karaoke contest promoter Walter Omori, second from left, greeted judges Kimo Kahoano, left, Dita Holifield and Gordon Broad.

John Berger has covered the local entertainment scene since 1972. Contact him at jberger@starbulletin.com.