Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 23, Number 10, 1 ʻOkakopa 2006 — Hitting a HIGH NOTE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Hitting a HIGH NOTE

By KWO Staff Aloha Festivals, the statewide annual cultural extravaganza now eelebrating its 60th anniversary, has done its fair share to promote Hawaiian music. In particular, the high-register "leo ki'eki'e," or male falsetto, has been fostered by festival competitions for years, attracting hopeful contestants from far and near. On Fri., Oct. 13, luek will run high for the best performer at the 12th Annual Aloha Festivals Falsetto Contest. A big part of the prize package is a recording contract with Hula Records, whieh over the past several years has produced Hōkū Award-winning CDs featuring various artists whose careers were virtually launched by the festival contest. Among them are Bulla Ka'iliwai, Sam Keli'iho'omalu, Chauncey Bermodez, Lopaka Kanaka'ole and more.

The stellar panel of judges includes brothers Tony and Noland Conjugacion, Mae Kamai, Ida Keli'i Chun, Puakea Nogelmeier, Gary Kanada and Flip McDiarmid. TheyTl consider voice quality, intonation, 'ōlelo Hawai'i and overall performance. Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards Female Vocalist of the Year Ra'iātea Hehn will perform her award-winning music following the seven contestants. Territorial Airwaves radio personality Harry B. Soria and entertainer Karen Keawehawai'i will serve as masters of ceremony. This year, four falsetto greats will be inducted into the festivals' Falsetto Hall of Fame, eaeh representing a decade: Benny Kalama (1940s), lohn Pi'ilani Watkins (1950s) Kahauanu Lake (1960s) and Dennis Pavao (1970s). According to Aloha Festivals Executive Director Charlian Wright, it is because of these individuals and others like them that interest in falsetto

singing steadily gained in popularity. Head for the Royal Hawaiian Hotel on Oct.l3, in the shade of the historic Helumoa coconut grove, to help support the tradition of leo ki'eki'e and enjoy an evening of wonderful performances. E

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NĀ HANANA - EVENTS

The late Dennis Pūvūo will be ūmong the performers inducted into the Folsetto HūII of Fame af the Aloha Festivals' annual leo ki'eki'e contest. - Photo: Courtesy of The Mountain Apple Company