Na Hoku Hanohano names 3 recipients of achievement honor

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor

•	Na Hoku Hanohano Awards From 6 p.m. May 29 (live TV from 7:30 p.m. on KFVE-TV) Hawai'i Ballroom, Sheraton Waikiki Hotel Entertainment by 'Ale'a, Colon, Uluwehi Guerrero, Robi Kahakalau, Henry Kapono, Maunalua, Na Leo Pilimehana, Sean Na'auao, Keali'i Reichel and Ten Feet $95, includes dinner and show 235-9424

The sponsoring Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts also has announced the nominees for the Haku Mele Hawaiian language category, selected by a panel of experts instead of the usual voting members. And the academy named the Favorite Entertainer of the Year finalists, to be determined by public ballot through May 22 at Borders. They are: 'Ale'a, Kawai Cockett, Colon, O'Brian Eselu, Uluwehi Guerrero, Ho'okena, Robi Kahakalau, Kapena, Ku'uipo Kumukahi, Maunalua, Na Leo Pilimehana and Ten Feet.

Among the Haku Mele contenders is 'Ale'a, a new four-member group, which consequently boosts its total Na Hoku nomination tally to seven, the most of any act or group this year; because it also is in the running for the fan voting, an eighth nod can be counted.

The lifetime achievement awards salute the pioneering work of three women.

English was a songwriter, musician and versatile entertainer, known for her signature "Drinking Champagne." For years, she performed at the Blue Dolphin Room of the Outrigger Waikiki.

Liliko'i, a singer who led a family of performing sister musicians, was long associated with Auntie Genoa Keawe, with whom she did strolling tableside music in her later years.

Haili sang at such early night spots as the Niumalu Hotel, Moana Hotel, Royal Hawaiian Hotel, Kaimana Beach Hotel and Queen's Surf in the heyday of Hawaiian music in Waikiki and has been a hostess at the Garden Court restaurant at Ala Moana Liberty House.

The Haku Mele nominees are:

• "Kapilina" by Frank Kawai Hewett, from "Neutralize It" by Sean Na'auao (Poi Pounder).
• "Ke Ali'i O Na Lani" by K. Kahakalau, from "All I Want" by Robi Kahakalau (Kanai'a).
• "Ku'u Lehua" (Kaili Pu'uwai) by Mele Naniha'upu and Bobby Moderow Jr., from "Maunalua" by Maunalua (Koa).
• "Ku'u Lei Maile" by Uluwehi Guerrero, from "In My Heart" by Uluwehi Guerrero (Mountain Apple).
• "Mapu Mau Ke 'Ala" by Julian Ako, from "Take Me Home" by 'Ale'a (Poki).