Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 22, Number 3, 1 March 2005 — Story and photos [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Story and photos

by Manu Boyd

Editor's note: OHA Public Information Director Manu Boyd is also the leader of the group Ho 'okena, whieh was one of the five nominees for the first-ever Grammy Award for Hawaiian music.

AHs reported in 'l'he Honolulu Advertiser in December, I was truly "stoked" when I heard we were nominated for a first-ever Grammy for Best Hawaiian Alhum. Cool Elevation, Ho'okena's eighth CD, released in October 2003, somehow made it through preliminary balloting and wound up among the top five nominees. The Brothers Cazimero, also final nominees, have for 30 years changed the face of Hawaiian music and are the most prolific recording artists in Hawaiian music history. What an honor to share the ballot with them and all the others. By February, the Hawaiian Grammy hype was incredible. TV reporters, radio

I stations, newspapersandmagazines I were clamoring for quotes on how I it felt to be a nominee. It felt pretty I darn good. By the time we boarded I the plane for L.A., Grammy talk was everywhere. Armed with suits, ties, leather i jackets and strands of pua kenikeni and pua kalaunu, we headed to Hollywood for a star-studded weekend that was just awesome. Outrigger Hotels and the Hawai'i Academy of Recording Artists

nostea a two-nour reception tor me Hawaiian album nominees that in true Hawaiian fashion lasted more than twice as long. The Cinegrill at the Roosevelt Hotel - a storied room of Hollywood insiders - was alive with aloha and nahenahe impromptu performances by Robert, Roland and 'Ala; Amy Hānāiali'i and Eric Gilliom; Jay Larrin; Jeff Peterson and Sonny Lim. Glen Smith and I did a eouple of songs, with hula by Jackie Booth and Aulia Austin. What a party! But the party of parties would happen the following evening at the California Science Academy, with a soiree for all Grammy nominees. We were surrounded by talented performers and producers from around the country in a lavish reception overflowing with fine food and drink. Willie K was a standout, strumming an 'ukulele so that, as he put it "people won't think I'm Mexican." The Hawaiians seemed to gravitate to eaeh other, but everyone worked the room, spreading aloha among the hopeful crowd of nominees. A live brass band and a choral singing group added pizzazz to the gala. The day of the awards drew hundreds to the pre-telecast portion, where 96 awards were presented. Walking up the red carpet, we were decked out in lei and definitely turned a few heads. Upstairs, the L.A. Convention Center lobby was bustling with beautiful people - lots of them. People were drawn to us like magnets, mostly because of the various kinds of fragrant lei that everyone in the

Hawaiian entourage wore. When the winner of the Hawaiian album category was announced - Slack Key Guitar, Vol. 2, a compilation album produced by Hawai'i island resident Charles Miehael Brotman - I must admit we were a bit shocked. Not that slack-key is undeserving of the nod, I but a volume two of various artists I of anything didn't seem to stand out I against the likes of such music legends as the Brothers Caz and Keali'i Reichel.

We had hoped that our 'ōlelo Hawai'i would gain appreciation and recognition by the academy, but they instead selected an instrumental album. Be that as it may, hats off to Brotman and artists who performed on the album, including Sonny Lim, Ken Emerson, Jeff Peterson, John Cruz, Keoki Kahumoku and others. Later that afternoon, we headed next door to the Staples Center for the televised awards show surrounded by a constellation of musical stars, many of whom I had never heard of. But we sat and enjoyed one of the most well-produced shows I had ever seen. The live performances by Alieia Keys, "Ray " lead actor Jamie Foxx, Usher and Queen Latifa were awesome. With wilted lei and sore feet, we headed off to "after parties," proud of the fact that we were able to represent our kulāiwi - ancestral homeland - in an international forum of music, talent and recording achievement. We laughed, partied, shopped, navigated freeways, sang and danced like never before - in Holly wood, baby ! What a rush, how surreal ! To all fellow nominees, and especially the kī hō'alu crew, ho'omaika'i. We look forward to the 2006 Grammys where five potential albums of solid Hawaiian music will spark the attention of a largely unfamiliar audience, and hopefully gain the broad visibility it deserves. V

Robert Cazimero and crew savor the flavor. Top: the author and his Grammy date, Aulia Austin, enjoy their moment on the red carpet.

wmie is piays meaia aarnng ror a "Emme's lsland Moments" TV segment.