COURTESY OF OUTRIGGER HOTELS
Tia Carrere performed yesterday with Daniel Ho at Los Angeles' fabled Roosevelt Hotel along with other isle Grammy nominees in celebration of the Grammy Awards today. Ho also accompanied Carrere on her Grammy-nominated album, "Hawaiiana."
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Hollywood gets a touch of isles at Grammy party
By Ed Rampell
Special to the Star-Bulletin
HOLLYWOOD » The sounds of "Hawaii-wood" came Friday night to Hollywood Boulevard's Walk of Fame as Hawaii's Grammy nominees were fetd at Los Angeles' fabled Roosevelt Hotel, where stars such as Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe once romped.
Tia Carrere, Cyril Pahinui, Daniel Ho and other Best Hawaiian Music Album contenders turned the Roosevelt's Cinegrill into a Tinseltown Territorial Tavern, performing slack key, ukulele, steel guitar and hula -- in celebration of today's Grammy Awards.
Guests were greeted with leis and the event's signature drink, "Pua 'Olena," concocted by Robert Melton, bartender at Chuck's Steakhouse at the Outrigger Waikiki, and inspired by Carrere's song. Emcee Kimo Kahoano presided over an island serenade, beginning with Ho tickling the ivories accompanied by George Kahumoku Jr. Both contributed to the Grammy-nominated "Treasures of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar." Ho also accompanied Carrere on her nominated album, "Hawaiiana."
The singer/actress crooned Queen Liliuokalani's "Aloha 'Oe," the Carpenters' "Sing" and more, dancing hula. "I'm honored to be nominated with these more accomplished musicians," Carrere said. "I have the easy job -- I just get up and sing. Hawaiian music is so powerful."
Cyril Pahinui also performed, playing "He'eia," the title track of his nominated album. He said he was "influenced by the masters, (father) Gabby Pahinui and Sonny Chillingworth."
Joining the on-stage jam were Keoki Kahumoku, Garrett Probst, Peter deAquino and Sterling Seaton, all performers on the "Treasures" CD. Kumu hula Keali'i Ceballos danced a spirited hula.
This is the fourth year that Outrigger Hotels has hosted a Los Angeles reception honoring Hawaii's Grammy nominees.
Ed Rampell is the co-author of "Made In Paradise," "Hollywood's Films of Hawaii and the South Seas" and "Pearl Harbor in the Movies."