WHEN THE winners of the first-ever “;Band Champ”; youth band competition were named last week, the members of Maui's Why Bother were apparently living up to their name.

Kamehameha Schools junior Dane Lum Ho and senior Kala'e Camarillo returned to daily life on the Valley Isle after last Wednesday's finals. When KHON-TV announced Why Bother had won the grand prize of $5,000 cash, a recording contract and a gig opening one of Tom Moffatt's upcoming concerts, Camarillo was busy playing volleyball.

“;My parents were watching in the trainer's room,”; he said with a laugh. “;My dad came out to the court and gave me a signal to let me know.”;

Lum Ho and Camarillo have played together since they were in the seventh grade. Despite qualifying as Maui's “;Band Champ,”; they weren't sure how they'd fare against competition from the neighbor islands.

“;We were so different from the other bands,”; Camarillo said. “;But we've been playing together for a while now, and that's what helped us win.”;

Along with a cover of Jason Mraz's “;Live High,”; Why Bother won over KHON viewers, of which more than 40,000 voted during a two-hour window following the broadcast last Wednesday, with their original track, “;Hey Darci.”;

Camarillo made a point to thank his parents for their support, along with classmates Mikey Marrs, Josh Kalima and Kanoa Severson. Although he will graduate this spring and is planning to attend the University of Hawaii-Manoa, Camarillo also hopes to continue working with Lum Ho on new music.

“;We're all family, so we're going to see each other a lot,”; he said. “;And my brother goes to UH-Manoa, so I'll play with him, too”; ...

FORMER KIKI-FM program director and KDNN-FM music director Kelsey “;K-Smooth”; Yogi may have lost his job in January, but he's stayed relatively busy with DJ gigs in the interim.

He's also rediscovered his love for surfing.

“;I just got back, like, 30 minutes ago,”; he said Monday when this columnist reached him by phone. “;In the last year I could only go on the weekends, but now I can go all the time!”;

Yogi will have the chance to show off his tan this weekend, having departed Hawaii on Wednesday for a month of appearances in Japan. He started taking trips there in 2004, partnering with DJ Minoru Ujita to play in some of the country's biggest and most popular nightclubs.

This time, he'll spin alongside DJs Ziko, Dirt Flare, Caujoon, Keizi, Mr. Syn and Hokuto. Former Clear Channel Hawaii co-worker Phat Joe also will make the trip.

“;I've been there a lot, and this is probably my third big tour,”; he said. “;Before, I could only go for a week or 10 days ... this time I'm actually going for four (weeks)”; ...

IS THE rave scene making a comeback?

After-hours parties are on the rise in Honolulu, thanks to The Asylum opening its doors on Queen Street in January. Last weekend's Kid Cudi show at the Rapture Warehouse also illustrated its value as an all-ages underground option just a block away from Pipeline Cafe. And on Dillingham Boulevard, The Shop celebrates the first anniversary of “;Energy”; on Saturday.

Next week, the universal themes of peace, love, unity and respect will be in effect at the O Lounge during Thursday's “;Kandy Karnival.”; DJs Kyoko, Technique, James Coles and friends will spin during this 16-and-over party; doors open at 9 p.m.

Text “;UDJ”; to 25827 for access to a special $5 guest list ...

WEEKEND PICKS: Playboy model Lana Kinnear is the featured guest at Oceans808 for “;Posh: Playmate Nite,”; the first in a new series of monthly theme parties. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. Friday, with prizes for the “;sexiest bunny”; and “;Hugh Hefner look-alike,”; plus drink specials and an autograph signing ... Local hip-hop production duo Slapp Symphony celebrates their Hawaii Music Awards win for “;Best Rap Album”; with a video premiere party at Indigo on Saturday. Two tracks off their debut, “;Landz of da Lost,”; were given video treatments by KAI Media and will be screened before airing on “;Dis-N-Dat TV”; on April 15 and 22 at 10 p.m. on OC16. Cover is $5 for this 21-and-over event ... Also on Saturday, DowneTowne presents “;Graffiti,”; a theme party where guests are asked to wear white T-shirts and bring a marker to write on others at the party. DJs Ms. Angel and Eskae will spin starting at 9 p.m. ...