It's been a very interesting, uneven year in Hawaiian music. It is probably going to go down as the year that saw a record number of new releases by Hawai'i-based (as opposed to Hawaiian music) acts. There were releases that will go down in history with the finest music of this century, and releases that would go down the toilet if I could fit them through the pipes.

I'd like to take a look back at the year, and the awards I would like to pass out to various artists for their efforts, their accomplishments, or complete lack thereof.

The I Love My Body So Much It Hurts award for album design.

Tie. This inaugural award goes jointly to Priscilla and Randol K. Ngum for poses on their debut albums. Putting dragonfly wings on Priscilla's naked backside defies logic. If I had a body like Randol's I'd be tempted to put it on a CD cover too, but would likely come to my senses first.

The Finding My Stride award for reaching your potential.

BB Shawn had little control over his debut release, and his second captured a fun night of music with a bunch of friends. But No Boundaries, his third, really showed what he is capable doing as a performer and a producer. Being this good at his age should be illegal.

The Put It Back In The Oven For Another Five Years award for premature release.

Though the 'Opihi Pickers are a nice bunch of young men and may one day make their mark on the recording industry, they should have been told that you only get one chance to make a first impression.

The Fred VonAppen award for unfulfilled potential.

I've known the guys in Hau'ula since the late 1970s. I thought back then, and still do now, that they are among the most gifted musicians and vocalists in the state. Most people who have heard them live will agree. However, their recordings consistently fail to capture how good they really are, and fail to capture the statewide recognition they truly deserve.

The I Should Have Been Released Fifty Years Ago award.

Na Leo Hawai'i Kahiko, some of the rawest, most powerful voices ever recorded. This recording should be required listening for anyone considering putting a token bit of something that sounds like a Hawaiian chant on their CD.

The Fingernails On The Blackboard award for songs that make me reach for the radio to change channels.

Tie. Goes to Moki Boy's Hawaiian Kick Boxer and The Rising Tide's Mr. Pole Benda, along with a few lessons in diction.

The Welcome To The Retro-Zone award for musical nostalgia.

If I started these awards 5 years ago, this would be the 5th consecutive year that I'd give it to Cecilio and Kapono. Guys, I love reminiscing about the great years and great songs with you, but would really love to see you put your best new efforts into the duo. Don't save them for your solo careers. How about a new album with your best new material. I promise I'll buy it.

The Howie Long Tough Guy award for courage under fire.

I think that even Howie would agree that Henry Kapono deserves this one. In a bizarre onstage accident at the Hawai'i Theatre, Henry fell 15 feet with guitar into an orchestra pit and fractured his ankle. After a 10 minute break to collect himself, he went back onstage and finished his show before going to the hospital.

The Meet You In The 21st Century award for pushing the technological envelope.

To Punahele Productions for their Pride of Punahele compilation that included a bunch of neat, multimedia features and video clips for computer owners.

The Viagra award.

Also to Punahele Productions for stiffing Macintosh users and making the multimedia features of Pride of Punahele Windows-only. You guys should know better than to dis me and my Macintosh.

The See You In The Hall of Fame award for best release of the year.

Tie. Kekuhi and Iz In Concert. Anyone who thought that Kekuhi Kanahele would suffer the "sophomore slump" so common to most local artists will be pleased to see that her energy, originality and vision have gone to the next level. Brudda Iz left us an intimate parting gift, the posthumous live CD from Mountain Apple had me in tears on the first listen. It captured him as a musician and as a human being in a way that I wouldn't have thought possible. Mahalo Gaylord and MAC.

Hau'oli Makahiki Hou everyone,

Keola
12/28/98

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