Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 4, Number 1, 1 January 1987 — "Hoʻolako Hawaii" Selected Theme Song Winner [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

"Hoʻolako Hawaii" Selected Theme Song Winner

Silva's Composition Tops Entries

Wendell Patrick Kalanikapuaenui Silva, who learned his Hawaiianness and Hawaiian songs by being around kupuna, entertainers and musicians, is the winner of the Ho'olako 1987 theme song contest as The Year of the Hawaiian is being celebrated in all of 1987. Silva's composition, "Ho'olako Hawaii (Enrich Hawaii)," won him a first plaee cash award of $500. Other winners were Kupuna Katherine Maunakea of Nanakuli, $400 ("Ho'olako Me Ka Hanohano"), second; Cooke Ryan and George Terry Young, both of Honolulu, $300 ("He Mele Ho'olaule'a), third; and Clifton K. Kakalia of Kapaa, Kauai, $200 ("Na Hana O Ka Po'e Pono"), fourth. For Silva, it was the first time he has ever entered a song in a contest. He has written several chants, poetry and other songs but never for competition. Silva, who resides in Kahaluu with his wife and two young sons, said he was inspired to enter this contest. His mele was composed utilizing the traditional Hawaiian concept that if one loves Hawaii, he will appreciate, cherish and enhanee or enrich its resources. "This is the legacy of our kupuna. lt is the legacy of Aloha whieh cannot be found anywhere else on earth," Silva explains. Silva, who has been executive director of the nonprofit Kalihi-Palama Culture and Arts ine. for the past 14 years, has been around Hawaiian music, musicians and hula dancers since he was a youngster. "I listened and 1 watched," Silva expiained. He holds in high regard such personalities as Aunty Malia Craver, Aunty Vicky Ii, Aunty Pauline Kekahuna, Aunty Lucy Lee, Aunty Louise Kaleikini and Kihei Brown. "I learned from these people and they left me a very lasting impression, not to mention the rich heritage I have acquired," Silva observed. Academically and professionally, Silva is a graduate of St. Louis High School and received his Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 1966 with a minor in psychology. He established and pioneered what was then known as Meals on Wheels while employed at Lanakila Crafts. The program is today known as Meals for the Elderly whieh provides nourishing wholesome food for senior citizens at various locations throughout Oahu. Silva, who is of Hawaiian, Portuguese and Chinese background, keeps active in the entertainment field. He

has performed in airline promotional work and at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel and Waialae Country Club. Silva's versatility also extends to staging the annual Keiki Hula competition and the high school festival in addition to being an outstanding master of ceremonies. His wife, the former Sharon Kapualani Harding, is of Hawaiian, Tahitian and English background. Their sons are Jason Kalanikapueanui, 7, a second grader at St. Ann's School in Kaneohe, and Mark Kanaialii, age 3. "I love my heritage and being around my people and I guess this is what inspired me in writing this song," Silva concluded. Winners were announced by Euphemia Nagashima, chairperson of the Ho'olako 1987 Theme Song Contest.

This group comes under the umbrella of the Ho'olako 1987 Publications Committee chaired by Puanani Kini. A total of 24songs were submitted for the contest and entries eame from both Hawaii residents and the mainland. The $1,400 total prize money was doriated by Mrs. Kini familu and friends

....... j Judges were Nona Beamer, scholar, auth©r and retired Kamehameha Schools Hawaiiana teacher; Rosemary Keoho Fujimoto, composer, musician and president of the Hawaiian Professional Songwriters Society; Brandon Bray, composer, musician and producer; and David M. Kupele, prolific song composer, entertainer and lecturer. The winners and their songs will be presented Sun day, Jan. 1 1, at 2 p.m. during the Royal Hawaiian Band's concert at Queen Kapiolani Park.

Wendell P. K. Silva