RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM Japanese singing star Maki Ohguro will make a special appearance at the Sunday afternoon awards ceremony for the China Uemura Longboard Classic on Waikiki Beach.

Finding inspiration

A Hawaii event that benefits ill children moves Japanese artist Maki Ohguro to song

With a career spanning more than a decade in Japanese pop music, Maki Ohguro is the rare female singer who has survived an industry typically driven by "the flavor of the month" in the marketing of pretty young things.

Ohguro has distinguished herself since her heyday in the 1990s J-pop scene, as someone who writes and performs her own songs.

Ohguro has found the muse again during her weeklong trip to Hawaii, with a Japanese TV crew in tow to follow her every move. To celebrate 15 years as a singer, the usually private Ohguro and a Japanese TV crew are here to film a two-part show for the TV Tokyo series "Aloha Girl," in which Japanese celebrities are shown exploring the islands beyond the tourist stops of Waikiki Beach and Ala Moana Center.

When Ohguro found out that this weekend's China Uemura Longboard Classic on Waikiki Beach benefits the Make-a-Wish Foundation, Ohguro was moved to write a song for the occasion. The charity is known for its work in granting wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses, and Ohguro, a mother herself, wanted to dedicate the song to those special kids.

She'll be in the studio today to make a basic recording for the song-in-progress, "Make a Wish," and will appear tomorrow afternoon at the surfing competition's award ceremonies on the beach, performing a Hawaii-inspired version of her 1995 hit single "La La La," backed by the Girlas, Herb Ohta Jr. and Kevin Perry. (The local artists were recommended by former sumotori Konishiki.)

The award ceremonies will begin at 4 p.m.

RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM Japanese singer Maki Ohguro is celebrating her 15 years as a singer by filming a two-part show in Hawaii for the TV Tokyo series "Aloha Girl."

"I want to broaden my field," she said through an interpreter. "Everything really started coming together when I came into the Hawaii atmosphere."

That included learning to surf for the first time, as well as conquering her fear of the water.

"When I was small, I nearly drowned, and since then I've been very afraid, so much so that I couldn't even put my face in the water. But when I came here, I wanted to overcome that."

Now, after surfing a few times at Ala Moana Bowls with the help of beachboys and other locals, she said with a broad smile and thumbs up, "I love the ocean. I'm getting addicted to being in the water.

"This trip to Hawaii has been incredible," Ohguro said, "and is one that I will remember for the rest of my life."