On June 20, the Hawai`i Academy of Recording Arts presented its 2007 awards in ceremonies at the Hawai`i Convention Center. It was a grand evening. Here's our totally unbiased report (since we had no product in contention on the final ballot this year).
The 30th anniversary of the Academy awards ceremony, commonly called "the Hokus," was truly a grand, albeit very long, evening, with many artists leaving before the program ended. We congratulate Academy President Marlene Sai, Hailama Farden, Lea Uehara, Alan Yoshioka, the Board of Governors, and everyone who had a hand in putting the event together ... a job well done.
Here are some personal thoughts and some of what we call "highlights," as we recall and reminisce.
We played cuts from many of the nominated artists and others involved in HARA (those whose recordings fit our mostly Hawaiian music format) on our weekly “Music of Hawai`i” program on Hawai`i Public Radio (KIPO 89.3 FM) in the past months, to help promote the event, and we saluted some of the winners in more recent programs.
The Convention Center is a great place to hold such an event. Audio and video problems were bothersome, but they can be overcome. Try again.
Arriving via the parking lot and being asked if you want to go down the escalator to walk on the "red carpet" only to ride back up the escalator to the event was a bit cumbersome. We rode down to find only a security person at the carpet, no television cameras or music fans. Maybe it was because we were early. Perhaps valet parking would add a touch of class and everyone would arrive via the red carpet.
During the ceremony, it was heartwarming to hear many of the recipients and some presenters speaking Hawaiian. Maybe someday, the entire event can be done i ka `olelo Hawai`i, o `ia ho`i, ka `olelo mua o keia pae`aina. We often suggest that for other very Hawaiian events. For example, we have made that suggestion to promoters of the Merrie Monarch Festival many times over the past several decades. Let television announcers do their thing in English for the broadcast audiences, but let the emcees and others in the program do it in Hawaiian.
It was wonderful to see that Krash Kealoha, Jacqueline "Skylark" Rossetti, and Kimo Kahoano, who played such important roles in starting Na Hoku Hanohano in 1978, were all on hand for the 30th anniversary. We all owe them a great debt of gratitude.
Emcee Billy V has a great voice, and his frequent reminders to keep acceptance speeches to 30-45 seconds led to a marked improvement over previous events. The longish speeches in past years, with winners all thanking God, their parents, families, Academy members, and everyone who worked on their product, was often a topic of conversation after previous events. Good job.
It was nice to see two new categories added, making the annual event more inclusive. One of the biggest complaints has been that many recordings are not considered because there is no category for them. HARA has been called “exclusive,” while the other major award ceremony, The Hawai`i Music Awards, hosted annually by the Music Foundation of Hawai`i, is totally inclusive.
Most of our recent awards have been from the Music Foundation of Hawai`i, the popular "people's choice" awards where the buying public votes (as opposed to voting only by the members of an academy). Les Honda of Borders Books & Music, told the academy that the "Favorite Entertainer of the Year" is the most significant award of the evening, because that award is determined by public voting, just like the MFH awards. This year, that HARA award went to Keali`i Reichel, Maui singer/songwriter/chanter/dancer/teacher/recording artist and producer. Among those who buy recordings at Border's, he was the favorite.
Eddie Kamae, 30 years ago – Photo by Keith Haugen
It was exciting to see Eddie Kamae honored again. And he's not done yet. In fact, since that evening, Eddie has also received a National Heritage Fellowship, one of the most distinguished honors in the folk and traditional arts in our country. Past winners from Hawai`i are Kau`i Zuttermeister, Meali`i Kalama, Raymond Kane, Kindy Sproat, Marie McDonald, Harry Nakasone, Nalani Kanaka`ole and Pualani Kanaka`ole Kanahele, Sol & Richard Ho`opi`I, Genoa Keawe, Ka`upena Wong, and George Naope.
And how wonderful to see the talented Kahu Kawika Kahiapo recognized for his playing and songwriting. We want to hear the `ukulele they presented to Eddie and the $5,000 guitar that was awarded to Kawika. Maybe playing together?
The list of Lifetime Achievement Award winners from 1987 through 2007 in the printed program reads like a "Who's Who" in Hawaiian music, and this year's honorees -- Gabe Baltazar, Loyal Garner, Rene Paulo, The Society of Seven, and The Surfers -- fit right in. Hawai`i has so many talented people. Good choices.
The stirring performance by Mali`o (which can mean "the dawn light as it pierces the shadows of night," or a "mythical woman" -- take your pick or ask one of them) was memorable to say the least. The group -- Darlene Ahuna, Leilani Bond, Karen Keawehawai`i, Ku`uipo Kumukahi, `Owana Salazar, and Mihana Souza -- was right on, WOW!, a highlight of the evening. They all starred, and they all shined -- even if Mihana was introduced two or three times as `Aima McManus, her sister's name. And we thought everyone knew Mihana.
Mihana Souza – Photo by Keith Haugen
All the performances were very good.
The tribute to Don Ho was beautiful and beautifully executed with Gary Aiko, Mahi`ai Beamer, Sam Kapu, Nina Keali`iwahamana, and Marlene Sai -- five of our best performers, all with wonderful ties to the "Chairman of the Board." Well done. Sam's green "jacket" (complete with the Longs logo) was hardly formal or even dressy, but The Common Mango was great in his performance, and it could not have been done right without him.
We were told it was to be a formal event, and that I should wear a tux (or at least a biz suit), and I did. Luckily, our eldest son, Stanton, and I are the same size and I borrowed his tuxedo. We heard (or read) that anyone showing up in t-shirts or shorts, or otherwise inappropriately attired would not be allowed entrance. We didn't see everyone up close, but counted only about eight or nine men in what might be called formal attire, others in suits, and many in nice aloha shirts. Maybe it's time to give up trying to make it look like a Mainland event. Maybe aloha attire is more in keeping with Island style and tradition. As I was instructed by a wiser, older brother when I was very young, "dress first for comfort." And some wise person once said we must look with skepticism on anyone who gets up in the morning and "puts a noose around his neck," referring to the absurdity of a necktie.
I don't know if they still give medallions with each Hoku or not, but it would be so nice to see all previous winners wearing them at the annual events. I wore both of mine, and I think they looked nice and I know they caught the eye of many friends and strangers alike, who came up to admire them -- and to ask when I got them.
These medallions accompanied the Hoku Awards given to Keith more than 20 years ago. – Island Viking Photo
We were proud to have contributed to the event, in our own small way: Nine of the photos in the souvenir booklet were photos by Keith Haugen, including the pictures of Mihana Souza, Haunani Apoliona, Marlene Sai, Irmgard Aluli, The Brothers Cazimero, Moe Keale, Jerry Byrd with Merle Kekuku, Jerry Santos, Sonny Chillingworth. At HARA's request, we offered them the use of about 100 photos (many of which will be in our upcoming book), and they chose to use those listed above. Mahalo.
We've missed many of the awards ceremonies over the past 30 years, usually because they were held on nights when we were performing (we performed in Waikiki for nearly 35 years and found it difficult to give up a nights pay AND pay for what had become increasingly expensive ceremonies.) We felt it was important for us to be on stage for our fans -- including our 17 years at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. Now that we are semi-retired, maybe we'll be able to attend more such functions.
This award night brought back a lot of memories.
We remembered when Keith was elected to the Board of Governors in the early days of the Academy, and when he served on some key committees. Keith served as a Hawaiian language/music judge in the Haku Mele category in 1997; was a presenter with Rene Paulo in 1983; was a Hoku recipient twice ("The Best of Bill Murata, THE PRODUCER," in 1984, and "The Best of Mama (Tina Ka`apana)" in 1985) both Anthology of the Year winners. Twice he was thrilled to accept awards on behalf of fellow entertainers, friends who missed the event because of work -- Dennis Kamakahi in 1980 for Best New Hawaiian Song ("E Hihiwai"); Eddie Kamae for his Lifetime Achievement Award in 1992. Those were all very memorable for us. And we remember when Carmen was a finalist for Female Vocalist of the Year for her "Lullaby" recording on the Island Viking label.
It was a pleasure sharing a dinner table with some long-time friends, including Brickwood Galuteria, Ihilani Miller, Gary Aiko. And among the many friends and others we ran into at the event were some family members and we think that is most important. Although they are not recording artists (I don't think), it was nice to see our cousins, Kumu Hula Larry & Kumu Hula Hokulani DeRego, at the event. It's also nice to see our cousin, K-5 cameraman Steve Jackson given credit. We seem to see him everywhere -- from the recent sumo tourney, to the pages of a Sam Choy cookbook.
It was nice to see that many of those attending still remembered us and came by to say hello. We were honored, even surprised at how many still recognize us.
Cousins Carmen U`ilani and Kumu Hula Hokulani DeRego (both from the `ohana Kauaua), two of Keith's favorite dancers/teachers, pose with this old man before the ceremony. -- Island Viking Photo.
And, while it had nothing to do with the success or failure of this grand event, We'd be remiss as teachers, if we didn't mention something that was a pet peeve of some of our kupuna, our native speaking mentors. It was easy to tell who among those at the microphone grew up hearing tour briefers, tour directors, tour drivers, and emcees unfamiliar with the Hawaiian language, shout out "alooooooooha!" Stressing unstressed vowels in that fashion is not how we put emphasis into spoken Hawaiian words. He `ano haole kēlā. As Aunty Alice Namakelua, Uncle Jimmy Kaholokula, Lokalia Montgomery, and others were wont to say: "Aloha nō!" (me ke kahakō ma luna o ka "o" hope loa.)
All in all, the awards program was a huge success. E ho`omau `oukou.
