Early May 1999
(© 1998 Susan Jaworowski)

Aloha mai!

The Na Hoku Hanohano awards final ballot is out! This is Hawaiian music's equivalent to the Grammys, and like that award, and like the Oscars, the best man doesn't always win -- or the best woman, either. A complete list of all nominees can be found at http://www.nahenahe.net/HARA/, and I won't list them all again here. However, I will offer some comments about the top slots:

Best Performance by a Female Artist

Oooh, tough call! All of these women are accomplished singers, with beautiful, unique voices. However, I'd have to give the nod to Kekuhi Kanahele, because in addition to being a particularly soulful singer, the CD is another stunning Hawaiian language achievement. Now for her first CD, the HARA voters, who tend to be just a wee bit reactionary, shut her out ( 6 nominations, no awards -- what WERE they thinking?!). One member explained his selection of someone else by saying, "Tell her to come back when she can sing." My. Dear. Sir. Kekuhi Kanahele can sing like nobody's business, and if she throws in oli-like notes as part of her very expressive style, well, I didn't see that harming Gabby Pahinui's popularity any. What's that you say? But she's a woman? Indeed she is, and sings like one too.
Let's hope the HARA membership has developed an ear for music, and recognizes merit where it is earned this year.

Male Vocalist Of The Year
Best Performance by a Male Artist

Another tough choice! Israel is, of course, the sentimental favorite, but he has stiff competition in Darren, Kelly Boy, and BB Shawn. However, Darren, Kelly Boy, and Kawai's CDs were more of the same-old same old; BB's was fresh, and showcased an impressive versatility. I think BB's earned it, but I'm betting that HARA will give the nod to Israel.

Group Of The Year
Best Performance by a Duo or Group

Pure Heart's debut was catchy and propelled the three guys into mini-stardom. Yet, group of the year? I think not. I think the maturity and fire of Amy and Willie will take the cake here.

Most Promising Artist(s) Of The Year
Most Promising first-recorded effort as a featured artist or group

Okay, this is the category in which Pure Heart should shine.

Anthology Of The Year
Producer's award - best album of previously recorded material

Best of Ka'au? Oh, please. For bringing together three contemporary lights of the Hawaiian music scene, and for the wonderful Maunaleo, Pride of Punahele should take home the honors.

Hawaiian Album Of The Year
Best Performance of Hawaiian Music

I'd say Kekuhi again: if you know Hawaiian, her lyrics are so much deeper than the Willie 'n' Amy offering. However, Amy 'n' Willie's stuff is very, very good, and hey, how many HARA members, after all, speak Hawaiian? They could snatch it away from Kekuhi still yet.

Island Contemporary Album Of The Year
Best Performannce of the music of Hawai'i in the contemporary style

Hmmm ... Israel ... Pure Heart ... Darren (no, I never like Darren's title tracks, but I'm just crazy about his infectiously happy falsetto). Probably Israel ... but it may just be Pure Heart.

Instrumental Album Of The Year
Best instrumental performance

I never knew I liked country music until I heard Waltz of the Wind ... but Bobby Ingano's CD goes down smooth as silk. Led's got legs ... but Bobby is more to the taste, perhaps, of the HARA traditionalists. Maybe they'll split the vote, and Cyril will sneak in.

Contemporary Album Of The Year
Best performance of music in a contemporary style by local residents

Oh, it really should be BB for this one. Versatile, well produced -- I particularly like "Kanaka Waiolina" with Dennis Kamakahi. No one else comes close for a well-rounded CD in this category.

Song Of The Year
Composer's award - best achievement in creating a first-time recorded song

There is no doubt in my mind, that, although Palehua is a very pretty, popular tune, the nod should go to the spell-binding Maunaleo. I heard Keali'i tame a whole convention of lawyers with this one: they just went hush for the whole thing, just caught up in its spell. An outstanding number.

Album Of The Year
Best LP, Cassette, or Compact Disc release of the year. Artist(s) and Producer's award

Ah, again, there are a lot of legitimate contenders for this title, and I could see Israel or Amy 'n' Willie picking this one up. But I'll be consistent, and chose Kekuhi.

Recordings

Jesse Rivera, A Mother's Love (Fire Records Hawaii FRH 11002-2). Jesse has a beautiful voice, which he uses to advantage on the mostly contemporary, somewhat wordy songs on this CD. Most are in English, and can't be considered Hawaiian at all, but the lovely, harmonious "Mahina Malamalama" justifies its inclusion in this page. I can hear Robi Kahakalau on the harmony, and the balance and sonority are just beautiful. If you're a fan of Jesse's, you'll like this CD; if you're a big Hawaiian music fan, the only really Hawaiian song is "Mahina Malamalama," but you might find the CD worth it for that alone. Other songs include the title track, "Joyful Tears," "A Long Line," "Oh Come Lately" (the token Jawaiian song), "Malia" (the token C&W song), "Are We in Love" (duet), and Bread's "Everything I Own," the token rock 'n' roll remake.

Ka'u, Ku'u I'ini (Ninole Records LL098) There's no token Jawaiian on this CD; it sticks out all over. Nevertheless, I think this is a promising recording. The voices and instruments work well together and the few Hawaiian numbers are pulled off nicely, especially the original "Na Kamalii," with its multiple harmonies and children's chorus. Once the group is confident enough to can the synthesizer, they should be even better. Songs include "Surf Asia," "She's Got Skillz," "Tearing Down the System," "Tasty Coconuts," and "Ke Kali Nei Au."

See you in mid-May- a hui hou!

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