Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 25, Number 5, 1 ʻApelila 2008 — Celebrate: 'Stars of Distinction' [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Celebrate: 'Stars of Distinction'

Eo e nā 'ōiwi 'ōlino, nā pulapula a Hāloa mai Hawai'i a Ni'ihau puni ke ao mālamalama. Aloha e nā kūpuna kahiko, nāna e ho'oūlu mai nei iā kākou e holopono a loa'a e ka lei lanakila. E hana kākou me ke ahonui a pili me ka hā a ke aloha, 'oiai e kūlia i ka nu'u a kau i ka 'iu o luna. Ka'i mai e nā hoa kuilima lei 'ia i ka pua lehua akaka wale ho'i ka mana'o i ka 'ā o ke ahi awakea. Welowelo e ka hae Hawai'i i hō'ailona wehi no nā kini. Ke Akua pu me kākou i pono ke ea o ka 'āina. Answer o natives, those who seek wisdom the descendants of Hāloa from Hawai'i in the west and around this brilliant world. Love to our ancient forebears who eonhnue to inspire us to move forward on a righteous path that the adornment of victory will be realized. Let us work together with patience holding close the essence of aloha as we strive for the very best until we achieve our ultimate goal. March forward partners, together arm-in-arm wearing adornments of crimson (lehua). Thoughts are clear and focused as the torch is ignited at midday. The Hawaiian flag waves proudly on the breeze as an adorning symbol of the multitudes. May God be with us (all of us) always that the life of the land will perpetuate in righteousness. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs in 2008 marks 30 years since being conceived by policy from community leaders deliberating as delegates on the Constitution of the State of Hawai'i; amendments ratified by the citizens and the electorate of the State of Hawai'i who affirmed the will of the 1978 Con Con delegates. Thirty years later, OHA remains an advocate for systemic change to advance

betterment for Native Hawaiians in our motherland and elsewhere. OHA's activism to write, amend and advance policy to benefit Native Hawaiians continues and we work with diligence and expertise to grow assets under our stewardship while working with community and business partners to address needs of Native Hawaiians, the ultimate human investment beneficial to all of Hawai'i. Thirty years ago in 1978 another eommunity effort emerged. It began as a vision to honor and celebrate excellenee in recorded music of Hawaiian culture and lifestyle in Hawai'i. Three decades ago, with the leadership of loeal Hawaiian deejays from KCCN radio, 1420 AM, an enduring spark was ignited in Hawai'i. Nā Hōkū Hanohano, the "Stars of Distinction" appeared in Hawai'i. The Nā Hōkū Hanohano web site notes, "The Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts (HARA) and Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards trace their origins to 1978 and KCCN-AM Radio, then the world's only all-Hawaiian music station. Conceived as a radio station promotion by Krash Kealoha (Victor 'Ōpiopio) legendary deejay, program director and driving creative force behind KCCNAM, in Nā Hōkū Hanohano (the Stars of Distinction), Kealoha envisioned a formal recognition and celebration of recorded musical excellence in Hawai'i - so long ignored by mainland award programs. Kealoha - with the support of KCCN owner Sydney Grayson and Kealoha's original deejay team including Kimo Kahoano and Jacqueline 'Skylark' Rossetti - launched the first Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards presentation in 1978. As no organized 'academy of arts' yet existed among Hawai'i's musicians - the role HARA would eome to play - the earliest awards were determined by publie vote. "By 1982, Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards evolved into an industry awards ceremony administered by recording professionals. The Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts was patterned after the

Nahonal Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (also referred to as NARAS or the Recording Academy), whieh produces the Grammy Awards. Eaeh year the Hawai'i Academy produces a live television broadcast of the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards honoring achievements of excellenee in the recording arts. It has heeome the biggest annual entertainment event in Hawai'i. Commercially available recordings created, produced and/or engineered and primarily distributed in Hawai'i are accepted for nominahon." 2008 marks Nā Hōkū Hanohano's own multi-decade achievement in perpetuating, growing and advancing Hawaiian music, whether traditional or contemporary. Under the stewardship of the Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts, this annual recognition and celebration of music performance in Hawai'i honors both the master elders as well as the emerging generation of creators in the music and performance genre. The "stars of distinction" these past three decades are numerous and more will join that galaxy in June 2008. The renewal, evolution and celebration of Hawaiian music excellence is important, because in eaeh passing year "stars of distinction" leave us. We have most recently lost two "stars of distinction" honored in years past by HARA: Aunty Genoa Keawe honored as Eemale Vocalist of the Year in 1995 for recording "Hula Hou" also received the Sidney Grayson Award in 1980 and the Moe Keale "Aloha Is" Award in 2005. Our other "star of distinction," Raymond K. Kane was honored by HARA in 1993 with the Kīho'alu Award and in 2003 with the HARA Lifetime Achievement Award. HARA's Sidney Grayson Award recipients from 1978 to 1986 included: Hilo Hattie, Don Ho, Genoa Keawe, Larry Lindsey Kimura, Jack de Mello, William S. "B ill" Murata, Maddy Lam, R. Alex Anderson and Vickie 'II Rodrigues. HARA Special Award Winners in 1978 included Johnny K. Almeida, Alvin Kaleolani Isaacs, Aliee Namakelua and Mary Kawena Puku'i; and in 1982 the Bishop Museum Award presented to the Bishop Museum for its alhum "Nā Leo Hawai'i Kahiko" ("Voices of 01d

Hawai'i"). Since 1987, HARA has presented Lifetime Achievement Awards. Between 1987 and 1989 awardees included: Sol K. Bright, Andy Cummings, Dorothy Gillet, Young O. Kang, Harry Owens, Irmgard 'Āluli, Charles K.L. Davis and Kahauanu Lake; and between 1990 and 1999 awardees included: Arthur Lyman, Martin Denny, Aliee Lriedlund and the Halekulani Girls, Mahi Beamer, Ed Nielsen, Nona Beamer, Eddie Kamae, Nina Keali'iwahamana, Bob Lang, Rap Reiplinger, Martha Hohu, Benny Kalama, Ed Kenney, Enuna Veary, Violet Lei Collins, Danny Kaleikini, Anuhea Brown, Sonny Kamahele, Alfred Apaka, Gabby Pahinui, Anie Kerr Singers, Myrtle K. Hilo, Donald McDiarmid Jr., Lena Machado, Wilder McVay and Randy Oness. Lrom 2000 to 2007 awardees included: George Chun, Richard Kauhi, Ku'i Lee, Myra English, Leina'ala Haili, Violet Pahu Liliko'i, Haunani Kahalewai, Krash Kealoha, Noelani Mahoe, Tom Moffatt, Nora Keahi Santos, Jerry Byrd, Linda K. Dela Cruz (former OHA Trustee), Buddy Lo, Raymond K. Kane, Lydia Ludin, Kawai Cockett, Bill Kaiwa, Peter Moon, Marlene Sai, Ka'upena Wong, Hui 'Ohana, Kealoha Kalama, Jesse Kalima, Melveen Leed, Bill Ali'iloa Lineoln, Dick Jensen, Leila Hohu Kī'aha, George Na'ope, Herbert Ohta Sr., Palani Vaughan, Gabe Baltazar, Loyal Garner, Rene Paulo, Society of Seven and the Surfers. In 2008, the HARA Lifetime Achievement Award recipients are: Aunty Edna Bekeart, Jimmy Borges, The Brothers Cazimero, Cyrus Green and Olomana. HARA's Kīho'alu Awardrecipients from 1991 to 2006 included: Gabby Pahinui, Sonny Chillingworth, Raymond Kane, Leonard Kwan, Ledward Ka'apana, Haunani Apoliona, Cyril Pahinui, Keola Beamer, KCCN Radio and Hawaiian KINE 105 Radio, George Winston, Peter Moon, George Kuo, John Keawe, Ozzie Kotani, Dennis Kamakahi and Kapono Beamer. Between 2003 and 2006 HARA's Moe Keale "Aloha Is" Award recipients have included: Lrank DeLima, Kimo Kahoano, Genoa Keawe and Jerry Santos. (See the Nā Hōkū Hanohano web site.) HARA: congrats on "31". 41/48 ^

LEO 'ELELE ■ TRUSTEE MESSAGES

Haunani Apuliuna. MSW Chairpersūn, TrustEE, At-large